Ch. 6: A Fool in the Shape of a Tree

The young warrior named Link watched in horror as Princess Zelda's body vanished into thin air. No! Zelda!

Cackling madly, Aghnahim turned to him and said, "You have just witnessed the Princess' last moments in this world! And soon you will join her!"

He walked up to Link and grabbed him by the front of his tunic, saying, "And don't even think about escaping! My magic has made you like a statue! See what happens when you challenge me?"

Link closed his eyes. No… It won't end like this!

The Master Sword began to glow brightly as well as hum softly. Lightning trails shot out from its tip, sending pieces of stone falling down on them.

"Impossible! That puny fool's rage is being channeled by the Master Sword!" Aghnahim exclaimed. Quickly, he turned and ran out a hole in the wall created by the energy coming from the Master Sword's tip.

When he realized he could move, Link ran out after the evil wizard.

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE AGHNAHIM!" he shouted.

Sword raised, Link ran towards Aghnahim, who simply attacked with twin energy beams. But Link ran between them, and brought his sword down… only to find that his blade passed right though him!

Dammit! The Master Sword's not working on him! Link thought panicked.

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts. "Link! Aghnahim's magic is like a double-edged sword!

"What do you mean?" Link asked, dodging another energy burst.

"The sword was also forged to repel dark magic! It can be used to defend as well as attack!"

Grinning, Link prepared himself for another blow. When the attack came, he held up his sword, and the energy beams stopped in front of it. (AN: That's kinda hard to describe…)

"Aghnahim! Your own magic will be the end of you!" He shouted, and in a single movement, brought the sword down, sending the energy back at the wicked mage.

"NOOOOOOO!"

The energy burst sent Aghnahim sprawling to the ground, with black smoke rising off of his body.

"Ughhh… Well met, Hero," he said slowly, "It seems you're not as much of a fool as I originally thought…but it makes no difference." he raised his head, and Link saw that his face was dry and shriveled, like a corpse's, with hollow pits for eyes. "Heh heh heh… and with my last breath… you will join Zelda…in the Dark World!"

It was only then that Link realized that the sky above him was a deep, endless black void, bereft of stars, and the moon had the face of a skull on it. Around him, the castle crumbled away, forcing the young hero to hurriedly make his way to the safety of solid ground. As soon as his feet hit the grass, he turned around to look at the ruins behind him, sinking his knees in despair.

"Zelda! I failed you again… Who will save you now?" Tears streaked down his face, and hit the ground, leaving small stains. He looked down…and saw that his hands were now covered in fur with claws on the tips!

"OH NO!"

Link struggled to his feet, and reared back, feeling his teeth sharpen, his mouth grow out, and fur cover his skin… (AN: This is my favorite part in the comic. Go figure.)

"My…negative emotions… are making me become a beast!" Link gasped. "I can't surrender to these emotions, or I'll live a beast's life forever!"

Finally, he fell to the ground, gasping for breath as the changes reversed themselves. Slowly, he got up, and checked himself over.

Seeing nothing unusual, Link cautiously climbed down from the remains of the castle and started off into the dark forest that had sprung up around it.

I'll find you, Zelda! I promise! Even if I have to search the whole Dark World!

After about an hour of walking, Link spotted what looked like a shrine situated in a group of trees.

That looks like a good place to rest…

Inside the shrine, was a bush-like tree surrounded by four lighted pillars. Link sat against one of the pillars, and closed his eyes…

Suddenly, a thick, deep voice spoke out in his mind. "You there, did you journey to this world to find the Triforce?"

"Well," Link mumbled sleepily, "No, but…"

"Only the first person to touch the Triforce will get great power. This realm was once a golden land where the Triforce was hidden. A thief named Gannondorf accidentally discovered the entrance to the golden realm. When he touched the Triforce, his evil wishes were granted. He gained great power, and turned this world into a land of evil. Many wicked people from your world came here, and were turned into monsters because of their evil thoughts. I was one of them. In order to return this land into the golden realm it once was is to defeat Gannondorf and reclaim the Triforce! Until then, I'll remain… a fool in the shape of a tree…"

Slowly, Link opened his eyes and glanced at the tree. "…Was I dreaming?" he asked no one in particular. Getting no answer, he got up and continued his journey.

Suddenly, a small ball of light shot out of the woods and zipped past his face. That's when he realized he wasn't alone.

Out of the woods came a huge monster about ten feet tall, with blue skin, blond hair in a ponytail, and a single, bloodshot eye. He wore a tunic that resembled animal skins, and on the belts criss-crossed over his broad chest were rock-like objects.

With him were three creatures wearing armor. One looked like a lizard, another resembled a bird, and the last one seemed similar to a pig.

"Hey kid!" The ogre rumbled, "Did you see a faerie pass through here?"

"I didn't see anything!"

"Yer lyin'! The Lizard-Man shouted angrily. "We want her power, and we want them now!"

"If you won't tell us where the faerie went, then we'll just have to beat it out of ya!" the blue giant roared.

The foursome began to move towards Link, who stepped back, shouting, "Stay away! I'm warning you…"But the beasts kept moving closer. "Okay! I warned you!" Then Link easily took down the monsters with a spinning slash attack!

"Feisty little guy, aren't you?" the ogre grunted. He pulled an object from the belts across his chest, and ran it under his foot before throwing it at Link, who dodged it. When the object hit the ground, it exploded! (AN: In other words, he's using grenades.)

The giant continued his assault, lobbing the objects continuously. Link managed to grab one in mid-flight, and chucked it back at the ogre, and it flew into his open mouth. Link turned and ran just as the ogre exploded with a loud BOOM, sending chunks out meat raining down on the area. (AN: Eww…)

Link slid to a halt, breathing heavily. At that moment, the ball of light from before flew in front of him…

To be continued…