They walked through the night, trudging across the never-ending sea of sand. The briny grains irritated their eyes as they were kicked up in the frigid wind. By the time the sun had begun to rise, the flat, sandy wasteland was all they could see on all sides. There were no hills, no cacti, not even a tumbleweed in sight. Nothing but flat, white sand. At daybreak, they paused to rest and shared a quick meal of bottled up spiced cabbage soup (which was hardly refreshing in a desert) along with some roasted mushrooms Fledge had brought from Skyloft. Link chased his meal with a potion so uncomfortably gritty he had to stomach it in two gulps instead of his usual one. Fledge commented on how terribly stale the water they brought with them had gotten. As they ventured on, they were followed by four streaks in the sand; trails left behind by each of their dragging feet.
"You know," Fledge panted, fanning himself with the collar of his shirt, "I'm kind of glad this hasn't been as exciting as you made me think it would be."
"You're going to regret saying that," Link said back plainly, batting the sweat away from his eyes. "Any second now."
Fi emerged from the sword and appeared to scan the area.
"See?" Link chuckled, knowing Fi was likely to deliver some sort of news.
"I am detecting the presence of a timeshift stone in our vicinity," she said.
"When you say 'vicinity'..." Fledge drawled.
"Continue northwest," Fi said, seeming to ignore him.
They continued on until at long last Fledge spoke up.
"What's that?"
He pointed out ahead of them where a small, dark object could be seen jutting from the sand. This rallied their strength enough for them to jog over to it. It was, in fact, a timeshift stone, fixed to an old, decayed piece of wood that was strangely colorless. Beside it sat the cracked and dusty remnants of an Ancient Robot.
"Cover your ears," Link instructed.
Fledge did as he was told. Link struck the timeshift stone and cringed as the high-pitched ring filled the air around them. The stone began glowing, then shed its light in all directions. The wood was returned to its former glory as the light swept over it. Glossy, tan wood with red and teal trimming, fastened with metal, and carrying a large, cylindrical device at its front which appeared out of thin air. To their amazement, it was a boat armed with a cannon.
But what was a boat doing in the middle of a desert?
As the question crossed Link's mind, he turned to find that the surrounding sand was melting away, revealing deep, clear blue water. He was immediately reminded of how terribly parched he felt, but before he could even think of trying a drink of it, he noticed that Fledge was standing just outside of the boat where the sand was turning to water.
"I can't swim!" Fledge shrieked.
He could feel himself being pulled down. Before he could be submerged, however, Link reached out and caught him by the shirt, pulling him into the boat in one smooth movement. The older boy let out an exasperated sigh and clutched his wrapped arm.
"Thanks," Fledge said a bit sheepishly, feeling badly to have aggravated Link's injury.
Link simply nodded. He was quickly distracted from the ache when the Ancient Robot sputtered to life. This one was built differently than the others had been. A mustache made of dark metal had been fixed to his face, and the top of his head was graced with a large hat with a tall feather poking from the top.
"Cross my circuits," the Robot said as its head twitched to the side. "I am alive? Again? What is the meaning of this?"
His glowing blue eyes landed squarely on Link and Fledge looking down at him, both with a confused expression. The robot reached to his side and grasped at nothing but the air.
"My sword?" he questioned. "Where in the desert is my sword?"
"I can appreciate a noble swordsman like yourself," Link began with a chuckle. He unsheathed the Goddess Sword, pointing the blade down at the robot. "That said, you might want to stand down this time."
"I would make you eat those words if I had my sword!"
"Well, what happened to it?" Fledge inquired.
The Robot reached up to rub what they assumed was his chin.
"Come to think of it, I can't really remember what happened to it," he replied, "or to me, for that matter. Being powered down doesn't exactly improve your memory storage."
"Do you have a name?" Link asked.
"My formal codename is LD-301N," he declared proudly, "though my crewmates call me Skipper."
The Robot suddenly sputtered.
"Ah, that's what I was doing," he said. "My crewmates got lost at sea, and I was out looking for them when I powered down."
Link observed the area more closely. The parameter around them was filled with gloriously blue and rich water. Outside of the reach of the timeshift stone, however, everything was still the bone-dry, arid desert. Link concluded that they had, in fact, walked over part of an ocean.
"Do you happen to know of a sacred flame in this area?" Link questioned.
"Why yes, I do," Skipper declared most proudly.
"Can you take us to it?"
"Not without a bargain," Skipper retorted, crossing his arms. "That's the code we seafaring Robots live by; everything comes with a bargain."
"Name your terms."
"What sort of treasure do you have on you right now?"
"Some empty glass bottles and a handful of rupees."
"My, my... the glass bottles might actually be worth something."
Suddenly, Skipper let out a sigh, and his whole body seemed to slump.
"Oh, who am I trying to fool?" he asked, sounding dismayed. "All I really want is my crew back. They're more valuable than all the treasure in this forsaken desert."
"We'll get them back," Link said confidently.
They set off sailing at once. While Skipper steered and navigated, Link and Fledge kept busy bending over the edge of the boat and dipping their hands into the crisp water. Fledge learned the hard way that it was too briny to drink, though it still felt magnificently as it splashed up into their faces and danced around their outstretched hands, so long as it didn't get in their eyes. Every so often they would sail over monstrously deep stretches of ocean, underneath which they could see thick, purple sea moss swaying below, and dozens of corals in all sorts of pleasingly vibrant colors dotting the sandy floor. Marveling at these things made both of them feel like children again. Even Fi glided over the water in a mystic dance, kicking up shimmering droplets as she went. After a time, when the novelty wore off, Fledge became antsy.
"So what happened to the crew?" he inquired. "And how did you get separated from them?"
"Well," Skipper began with a sigh, "I was the captain of the mightiest ship in all of Lanayru. My crew and I often sailed in search of treasure and new territories. In the good days, when the land was lush and the ocean was wide, the most we had to fight off was the occasional flock of gulls. But one day, we were ambushed by seafaring Bokoblins. They commandeered the ship. I alone was able to escape and sought help from our guardian dragon, Nayadra. Alas, he had been killed. Therefore, I set sail on the sea in search of my ship and crew, until I powered down after five-hundred sunrises and sunsets."
Link felt the same wave of sadness as he had while listening to X's story long before. Even Fledge looked as though he was grieved to hear such a sad tale.
"To make matters worse," Skipper continued, "a curse was put on the ship to make it invisible to the naked eye."
"I can understand how this would compromise the searching process," Fi said. "However, I may be able to detect the ship despite it being rendered invisible."
"Thank you, Fi," Link said. "Even still, how do we board and navigate the ship if we can't see it?"
"It is believed that the effects of such a curse will dissipate if it experiences enough disturbance," Skipper replied.
He casually set a hand on the teal-colored cannon and gave it a few taps. Link's brow raised sharply.
"You're suggesting we shoot at it?"
"I believe this suggestion could be successful if executed correctly," Fi chimed in before Link could protest.
With Fi at the head of the boat, scanning the area as best as she could, Link and Fledge settled back and rested. Link reluctantly sipped on another potion. After a significant time had passed, Fi suddenly shifted her gaze.
"I am detecting a hollow structure ahead. Please adjust course to the East."
After a short, silent time, interrupted only by the waves, Fi alerted them once more.
"I believe we are within range of the ship," she said.
"Well then, let's see if this ol' cannon works, shall we?" Skipper laughed.
Fledge covered his ears as Skipper lit the fuse. Yet as he looked on, he noticed Link, unable to cover his own ears, hunching down and clenching his face. He knew overwhelming sounds bothered Link quite terribly, as did being touched. He carefully reached out and cupped his hands around Link's ears, being careful not to push too hard. The lack of reaction let him know Link was receptive, and likely appreciative of the gesture. After several moments of grueling anticipation, the water and the air alike were rocked by a loud bang. They watched as a cannonball soared through the air. It surpassed the parameter of the timeshift stone and continued on through where the water turned to sand. With a muffled crash, it sent millions of grains flying. Alas, as they looked on, they saw a large shadow appear. It vanished back into nothingness almost immediately.
"Everyone else saw that, right?" Fledge asked. "That wasn't just my mind playing tricks on me?"
"I saw it too," Link confirmed.
Skipper inched the boat forward before igniting the fuse once more. Fledge covered Link's ears and tried to shield himself with his own shoulder. Another loud bang rocked the boat. As its echo carried through the desert, all eyes were fixed on the projectile. It landed, and this time, the undoubtable ship appeared, planted in the sand. Its manifestation cast a cool and rejuvenating shadow on the seafarers. Alas, they had no time to marvel. Skipper took them to the side of the ship.
"Unless you plan on carrying my lifeless shell around," he said, "then you'll have to go on without me. I will be waiting here in anticipation to welcome back my crew."
With a curt nod, Link started up the ladder as best as he could with one hand, while Fledge supported him from behind. The deck was like a barren, wooden wasteland itself. There was the occasional loud creak, which never failed to make Fledge prance a bit. Link took note of several piles of bones scattered about, most with a spider or two sneaking through them. After a bit of exploring, they took note of an unlocked door at the western end of the deck. Inside, they were greeted by stale air that smelled of sweltering wood and salt. Being out in the open air despite the unforgiving sun had somehow been slightly more comfortable than this gray, dusty, and hot space was.
Every step came with a creak, which echoed back and forth. They ventured down a flight of stairs, one of which snapped under Link. Fledge was quick to steady him, receiving a nod of appreciation in return. They came to a long hall with two doors, one on each side. One was draped with barbed wire. Entering into the further door, they found a room in which the floor was covered thickly with sand.
"I'm still not understanding everything," Fledge admitted. "How did we sail through a desert on water like that? Or rather, why is it a desert when it used to be an ocean?"
"The civilization of Ancient Robots was taken captive by monsters," Link responded, making his way over the sand. "Without them, the land became desolate. The plants died, the ocean dried up, and it all turned to sand and decay."
"How terribly sad. That stone in the boat. What did it do?"
"It took us to the ancient past."
"That makes sense, and yet it doesn't."
"I couldn't agree more if I tried."
Link stooped down and pressed his hand into the sand, lifting it to watch it all pour off of his palm. He chuckled.
"You get used to how surreal everything is after a while."
"Do you get used to the frightening things, too?"
Link rose to his feet, looking his friend squarely in the eye.
"I am going to protect you," he said with a hint of a smile. "If at any point it seems like I can't, then get yourself out of here and to safety."
"And leave you?"
"Yes."
Fledge blinked rapidly, unsure of what to say. He felt more bothered than Link seemed to be, as the older boy began sifting through the sand once more.
"What is it you're looking for?"
"A chest, or a key, or..."
Fledge stepped backwards, promptly stumbling on something poking up from the sand, with he himself flopping into it with a thud. The sand disturbed from it fell, revealing the top of another timeshift stone.
"... or that."
The striking of the stone cleared the sand away, revealing a Beamos stationed in front of what appeared to be a chest. Link was quick to position himself and the shield in front of Fledge. He instinctively reached for the sword, despite his arm being tied tightly to his chest. The resulting pain produced a sudden wince.
"Hang it all," Link growled. "Take this, and get back into the corridor."
He shoved the shield into Fledge's trembling arms. The slender boy exited the room with all haste, though he hated the thought of leaving Link alone to fend off an enemy. Since the timeshift stone had been struck, the corridor was now very much alive. The wood was vibrant and dyed different colors, the windows at the end of it actually let in the sunlight, and the ship no longer groaned out in its old, abandoned agony as it had before. Fledge crept about a bit until he noticed something else new. From the ceiling, two red, beady eyes were locked onto him.
"A Keese!" he shrieked.
The flying fiend sped forward with its fangs at the ready. Fledge felt paralyzed at first as he helplessly watched the bloodthirsty foe fly toward him. However, once it got close enough, Fledge came to his senses and lifted the shield up over himself, though he gripped it by its sides rather than having it fastened to his arm. He heard the sound of the metal clashing with something. To his amazement, he had managed to bash the shield right into the Keese. With a high-pitched screech, it fell to the floor and burst into a small, dark cloud.
"Well, wasn't that lucky?" Fledge asked himself.
Just as he was beginning to settle, six more pairs of eyes landed squarely on him from above. He was stricken with a sick feeling at once. The winged foes came at him, all hungry for a bite. Fledge ducked under the shield and backed up until his rear side met the wall behind him. His sweaty hands gripped the sides of the shield as tightly as they possibly could. Surely he was a goner.
Yet to his amazement, Link reappeared from the side room and began slicing down the Keese one-by-one. In no time, they were all defeated.
"You alright?" Link asked, sheathing the sword and pushing a lock of his honey-blonde hair aside.
"Sure," he replied, "we can call it that."
Link turned his attention to what appeared to be a map of some kind, retrieved from the chest they'd found. On it was etched an outline of the ship, as well as various instructions, which neither of the lads could read.
"Don't these kinds of things usually have some sort of holding cell?" Fledge questioned. "At least in all the stories they do."
"The brig, or something like that."
Fledge pointed to something on the bottom floor of the ship. In the illustration, he could see a room sectioned off by what appeared to be bars, unlike anything else on the ship.
"Perhaps this is it?"
"I think you're right. We would most likely find Skipper's crewmates there."
"But what are these things?"
Fledge's fingertip glided over three circular objects scattered throughout the image of the ship.
"Those look like generators," Link replied. "Again with the generators," he mumbled.
Link's brow furrowed as something else caught his eye. Behind the image of the brig, there appeared to be another small room containing nothing more than a smudge. However, as he looked more closely, the smudge looked to be shaped like a fire.
"Could that be...?"
Fi emerged from the sword.
"I have confirmed that this ship has three generators," she said. "They must be powered in order to enter the brig. And yes, Master, I too can detect the sacred flame on the ship."
"Let's get on it, then."
The first generator was found in the other room off the corridor. The timeshift stone had removed the barbed wire, giving them access to it. Upon entering, they were met by two Bokoblins, armed with electrified weapons, guarding the generator. Link made quick work of them with little difficulty while Fledge lingered close to the door. Using the Goddess Sword, Link activated the first generator. With a loud clank, it sputtered to life and filled the air with an electric whirring.
They returned to the deck, though they started by merely peering out of the door as quietly as possible. As Link had guessed, the deck was now crawling with armed Bokoblin, returned to life by the timeshift stone.
"Would hitting that time-stone thing kill them again?" Fledge whispered.
"Yes, but it might affect the generators."
Link's sharp, forest green eyes landed on what looked to be a smaller boat hanging from the side of the ship, attached with a rope. His left brow curved upward as he was struck with an idea. He hunched down further, carefully observing the movements of the Bokoblin. There were several on the deck, and he could hear the footsteps a few more more above them. Last, he saw two archers keeping watch near the ship's mast, though under the sun they looked like mere shadow figures. He turned to Fledge, a very serious expression gracing his features. He raised a finger to his mouth, then beckoned Fledge to follow.
The taller boy had to hold his breath to keep himself from protesting. Together, the boys crept on the tips of their toes, keeping their bodies as low to the floor as they could manage. Link especially noted how difficult this was with only one arm free to balance him. Yet they managed, making only the tiniest of toe-taps against the wooden floor, until they reached the boat. Link ushered Fledge in first, then followed himself. Releasing the breaths they had been holding painfully tightly, they laid down in the boat long enough to let their heartbeats settle some.
Link peered over the edge. He could see an opening one level below them. He signaled for Fledge to stay low, while he himself began to slowly push the attached rope upward. Though the boat barely moved, it was enough to send a chill down both of their spines and put a momentary sickness in the pits of their stomachs. Link glanced out to see if they had been detected. Finding that it was safe, he pushed the rope once more. Every few seconds, he moved the boat down by no more than an inch or two before ducking down himself.
Fledge clenched his eyes and held his breath, feeling every beat of his heart thumping on the sides of his head and neck. Curiosity got the best of him as he began to wonder how far down they had traveled. He peeped one eye open as Link was guiding the rope. At first, he thought he saw one of the archers high above them turning their way. He wrote it off as his mind playing tricks on him and stayed quiet. Alas, the archer ran to the edge of his platform and peered over. Fledge could even make out its ugly, red eyes staring right back at him. Fledge's mouth widened but no words came out until he saw the archer preparing its bow.
"Link!" he finally spat.
Link drew the sword as he scanned for whatever Fledge was alerting him to. The sound of a whistling arrow caught his ear, followed by his gaze. Link flung the sword, managing to split the arrow in half just before it reached them. Another arrow flew forth. This one went through the rope, though not enough to completely sever it. The rear of the boat tilted back with a harsh jolt, rag-dolling the two boys as they fought to stay within its walls. Now lowered, the window beneath them was within reasonable reach.
"You've got to go first," Link instructed.
"I can't possibly make it," Fledge argued.
"You have to!"
Fledge swallowed dryly. The opening was a good five or six feet down, and the dangling of the boat left them at an awkward angle. Fledge rubbed his sweaty hands on the front of his shirt, then planted his hands on the boat's rear. He lifted his body over and let himself hang for a moment before reaching out a gangly leg. It brushed the window's edge but fell off again, leaving Fledge at the mercies of his own upper-body strength. Drawing in a heaving breath, Fledge stretched out his leg once more, this time managing to get a firm grip with his foot. Then planting the other, he stretched his body until he could let go of the smaller boat and grab into the window with both hands. Just as he was dropping down into the ship, a loud horn blast started to ring out.
A third arrow did away with the remainder of the rope, shredding it to fibers. Link's stomach leapt into his throat as the boat began to plummet with him still in it. He threw his body over and stretched out his good arm. Somehow he caught the rim of the window with the underside of his shoulder, though the impact still rattled his broken arm quite terribly. He let out a shriek. His good arm gave out some, and he knew it wouldn't be long before he slipped completely. Thankfully, Fledge's wiry hands wrapped around his forearm tightly.
"I've got'cha," Fledge said.
He balled the back of Link's tunic into one of his fists and pulled. Link spilled into the boat with a bit of a thud. No sooner did the boy rise up to his feet was he met with two green Bokoblins running down the corridor. Link faced them head-on while Fledge ducked into a nearby room. He listened to the clangs and clashes of the metal weapons happening just outside. However, his attention was quickly drawn to a chest sitting in the center of the otherwise empty room. His interest in it drowned out the ruckus of the battle raging on in the hall.
Giving his hands a nervous shake, he reached down and hesitantly opened the lid. A thin, shining strip of wood curved to perfection sat inside. On it was fastened a thin yet hard string, and beside it sat a wooden cylindrical holder, inside of which were six arrows, all sharpened to deadly points. His mouth went dry at the sight of such an intimidating weapon. He was startled when he heard the door behind him spring open. With a flail and a yelp, Fledge threw his hands over his head and spun around. To his surprise, it was only Link. He was winded, yet did not seem harmed.
"We've got to get to those generators," he said. "It won't be long until more reinforcements come."
His green eyes landed on the open chest.
"What's that?"
"Oh, I... I shouldn't have opened it," Fledge sputtered. "That's probably better for you to do, since you're better at this whole adventure thing."
"A bow and arrows?"
"You know how to use it, right?"
Link sighed, giving Fledge only a blank stare.
"Oh, right. You kind of need two arms for something like that, huh?"
Link's brow raised curiously.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Fledge asked. "You're not suggesting-"
"Oh, but I am."
"You really think I can use something deadly like that?"
"Actually, I do." Link replied calmly. "It's similar to the slingshot you made, which, if I remember correctly, you were getting quite good at."
"Not as good as you."
"But better than I can do now."
Fledge's mouth hung open, as he had no way to refute that.
"Just carry it for now, if you will," Link said, scooping up the quiver and extending it Fledge, who reluctantly agreed.
They rushed down a series of corridors until they came to the room in which hid the second generator. After cutting down more Bokoblin guards, Link activated it. He readied himself to leave the room when Fledge drew his attention. In the ceiling there was another grate, from which they could see out. From their vantage point, they could see all the way up the mast, even to the Bokoblin archers. Link took the bow from Fledge, prompting Fi to come from the sword.
"Master, I can confirm your arm is healing rapidly," she said. "However, it is still not healed enough to engage in the use of this weapon."
"I have to try," Link said quietly.
Fledge's long face fell guiltily to the floor, as he once again found himself wrestling with his own cowardice. He watched ashamedly as Link fumbled with the bow. He took hold of the grip with his immobilized arm. Fledge could see the frustration growing in his face. When he tried to pull the string, he immediately recoiled in pain.
"Wait, Link."
Fledge extended his hand for the bow.
"Let me try."
Link obliged. With his knees nearly knocking together, Fledge took the bow. Squinting his eyes against the sun breaking through the grate, Fledge pulled back on the string, aiming an arrow at the Bokoblin fiends high above them. He stood silent and still for several long moments while Link and Fi looked on patiently.
"You can do this, Fledge."
Whether he released it by will or the arrow slipped through his sweaty grip, he did not know. Regardless, the arrow launched, clearing the grate and soaring into the bright, sunlit sky. Fledge and Link both flinched when they heard one of the Bokoblin archers suddenly unleash a gurgling screech before stumbling to the edge of the platform and falling over the side. It turned to malice before it hit the deck. The boys exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"Surely that wasn't because of my arrow."
"Negative," Fi replied, shaking her head. "Yours was the only projectile in the vicinity at the moment the Bokoblin was struck. Indeed, you have slain the Bokoblin archer."
Fledge suddenly appeared faint, while Link was visibly thrilled.
"Don't give up on us now," he said. "Take down the other."
"I won't be so lucky a second time."
He readied a second arrow, somehow looking more nervous than he had the first time. It went soaring with a loud whistle, followed by yet another pained shriek. The Bokoblin archer fell from its post and disappeared into a cloud of malice. Fledge's mouth hung down toward the floor in utter disbelief. Link, meanwhile, looked as confident as ever.
"See?" he said, giving his friend a playful side-eye. "All that practice you did with the slingshot has paid off. You've just got to believe in yourself a little more."
They rushed through the second floor of the ship, looking for any way down to its lowest level, while fending off the occasional Bokoblin guard. After what felt like ages, they came to a door which led to a stairwell. This one, however, was dimly lit and rather unnerving to face. Still, they pressed on, making their way down to the ship's depths. They found what was certainly the brig. It was a spacious room sectioned off by thick, iron bars. Behind it were roughly a dozen or so Ancient Robots, all trying to solve the mystery of their abrupt return to life.
"Well, these lads don't look very monstrous, do they?" one asked.
"Quite the opposite," Fledge replied. "We've come to rescue you."
"Scrapper sent us," Link added. "Do you know where the third generator is?"
One-by-one, the robots began pointing past Link and Fledge. Behind them stood a large door. A strange fluttering of sorts hit Link in his stomach, and his shoulders felt heavy.
"There are likely enemies in there," he said quietly. "Why don't you stay here with the Robots, Fledge?"
"I... I mean..." Fledge stammered, "are you sure you'll be alright?"
Link simply nodded before entering the room. Sure enough, there were three Bokoblins, but also a Moblin guarding the final generator. He flourished the sword and took on the Bokoblins, which were easily dealt with. The Moblin, however, snarled at him with an intimidating glare. Surely it would not be defeated at easily as its Bokoblin brethren had been. It swung its massive blade downward. Link side-stepped out of the way, though the weapon splintered the wood and left a considerable crack. With only one arm and no shield, Link doubted his ability to block such an attack with the Goddess Sword alone.
He tried his hand at a forward thrust, which was easily deflected by the monster's large shield. The force of the deflection sent Link stumbling backward, while the Moblin countered with its own strike, knocking Link to the ground. The Moblin unleashed a mighty roar, filling the air with its putrid breath. Link hurled the blade upward, managing to strike it across its bloated belly. The beast stumbled backward, shaking the floor with each step. Link recovered and ambushed the beast, flinging the blade as hard as he could. The creature blocked, however, it quickly became winded and overwhelmed, and its guard faltered.
Link finished it off with a stab to the gut before spinning around to its backside and striking it where it had no defense. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Link turned his attention to the third and final generator.
Fledge was outside conversing with the Robots when suddenly they were shaken by a loud clank, followed by a long and deep groan. All were startled, and an anxious energy filled the air as they waited to see what would happen next. To their amazement, the large iron bars began to retract. The crew raised a loud shout of gladness, and Fledge found himself joining in. A worn yet triumphant Link exited the room and was greeted by the sight of the Robots in cheer. A fond smile crossed his lips.
"Get yourselves out of here," he said kindly, "Skipper is just outside waiting for you."
The Robots made haste. Together, they thundered from the brig and rushed to the deck. Once the last Robot was out of sight, Link stepped into the now empty brig. At the back of it was a wooden wall. This one, however, had a viewing window carved into its very center. From it, Link and Fledge would see bright, sky blue flames licking up from their pedestal. A sense of desperation filled Link's heart, to the point where he could feel a dull sting of pain growing from the center of his chest. This was the final key he needed to finally get to Zelda, and yet it was just out of his reach.
"How do we get to it?" Fledge questioned.
"I'm not sure," Link replied, as though his heart was sinking.
"Is it getting darker in here?"
Link paused and looked around. It did appear as though a shadow was filling the space. It felt ominous, threatening, even. With quiet steps, Link stepped out of the room and peered out of a nearby window. Dark clouds were rolling over the sun. Rain was already starting to fall, and distant flashes of lightning lit up the sky. A thunderous boom jolted both Link and Fledge.
"That's one angry-sounding storm," Fledge said.
No sooner had the words left his lips did they begin to feel a strange shift in the ship. For the first time since they had entered, it rocked back and forth, as if it was now on water instead of trapped in the endless, unforgiving sand.
"What's happening?" Fledge asked, mounting fear evident in his voice.
The ship continued to creak and groan as Link slowly made his way further into the corridor. He put up a hand to signal Fledge to halt. The taller boy could see the tension in Link's shoulders as his grip on the Goddess Sword tightened. Something was certainly wrong.
"Master," Fi said from within the sword, "I am detecting malice approachi-"
Fi's voice was cut short by a loud crash. From the floor, not three feet in front of Link, a thick, slimy thing broke through the wood. It swayed, with sea water and grime dripping from it. Its reddish-purple flesh was lined with dozens of suction cups which made Fledge a bit queasy to see. Before they could respond, another one broke through the floor right beside Fledge. The boy fell to the ground and crawled to avoid getting caught by it. Link tried to cut through the one ahead of him. Alas, the Goddess Sword merely bounced off.
"A skyward strike may be required to puncture its flesh," Fi stated, "please be mindful, as your energy levels are already quite depleted."
"I'll be fine," Link growled.
He charged a strike, shedding the light into the protruding tentacle. As predicted, it sliced right through. While the top half flopped and splattered to the floor, the rest of it retracted. Link and Fledge sped forward. While Fledge ran for the stairway, Link returned to the brig.
"What are you doing?" Fledge called out desperately.
"I have to get to the flame!" Link replied. "It's the only way to help Zelda."
One step in, and Link found himself met with one, then two, then three large tentacles, which together made a fleshy wall, hiding the flame completely. Link charged up another skyward strike, but was immediately taken to the ground when the ship rocked to one side, then quickly to the other. Water began to bubble up from where the tentacles had broken through.
"The ship is sinking!" Fledge exclaimed, running up to Link and helping him to his feet. "We've got to go, now."
Link reluctantly agreed, though he felt a knot quickly form in his throat while doing so. With each passing second he felt Zelda, and his chances of seeing her, slipping further and further away. As he and Fledge began their frantic run up the stairs, Link felt in his heart that he was running away from her, abandoning her to whatever fate she was trapped with, wherever she was. Every cell of his being wanted nothing more than to turn back and find a way to the flame, yet he kept running away...
... and he hated himself for it.
Reaching the second level, Link and Fledge barrelled down a narrow corridor. A tentacle burst through the wall at face-level. Both managed to duck underneath it before being intercepted by yet another tentacle, this one at their legs. They leapt, just barely clearing it as they continued to race forward. The ship continued to rock, occasionally throwing them to the floor or into the walls, but together they supported one another until they finally reached the deck.
The harsh, cold rain had already begun pooling on the deck. They ran to the side of the ship where Skipper had been waiting, yet they could see the boat far away in the distance. Skipper and his crew were fighting against the raging ocean, and getting further away moment-by-moment.
Link and Fledge were trapped.
Worse, the remaining Bokoblin guards had also begun fleeing. Some made it to the last of the smaller boats on the side of the ship, while others leapt overboard completely. Link felt sickened to see this, as he knew that whatever was attacking the boat was so ravenous that it would even threaten the Bokoblin, who were arguably on the same side as it.
Behind them, they heard what sounded like a long, drawn out splash, though it seemed to show no sign of stopping or slowing. Hesitantly, they turned and were met with the sight of a wall of ocean rising at the other side of the ship. As the water continued to fall, it revealed a large, reddish-purple body with a single, menacing eye at its center. Beneath it was a mouth with spiked teeth jutting out from it in all directions. Massive tentacles grew out of it on all sides. With a loud roar, the beast locked on to the two boys standing nearly paralyzed on the deck.
"This beast," Fi said, emerging from the sword, "is a Leviathan demon of ancient origin. It is called the Tentalus."
"How do we defeat it?" Link asked, flinging rainwater from his face and hair.
"It's primary weakness is its eye," she replied.
"Fledge," Link said urgently, turning to his friend, "we need you to shoot at it."
"What?!"
"Fi will distract it, and I will draw its tentacles. You take aim and fire as best as you can, from as far back as you can. Okay?"
Fledge's legs grew weak, and he felt himself becoming lightheaded. However, the seriousness in Link's expression and the organization of the plan helped him to rally what little courage he had.
"Alright, let's do it."
With a nod, Fi sped off, glowing as brightly as she could manage. Link darted off as well, carefully watching for the inevitable strikes from the Tentalus' many tentacles. With several, it tried to bat off Fi. With others, it began its assault on Link. He charged up a skyward strike and sliced through multiple tentacles with one furious slash. The monster wailed, pausing its attack on both Fi and Link. Fledge took the opportunity to launch an arrow at it, though it hit the side of the beast's head and broke on impact.
"It's alright," Link shouted back, "keep trying."
"I can't do it!"
"Neither can I!" Link retorted, slicing through another tentacle. "So someone's got to."
Fledge nodded and readied another arrow. As Fi continued to distract and Link dodged and cut through tentacles, Fledge waited until he saw an opportune moment. At long last, he unleashed another arrow, which soared squarely into the beast's eye. Its tentacles fell while its head spilled out onto the ship, rocking it to the point they feared it would flip over altogether. Link sped to the beast and began striking its eye. After a handful of hits, the beast withdrew back into the water, and despite the rain, lightning, and thunder, everything seemed to calm for a time, though they all knew the beast would regroup and strike again. They met at the center of the deck.
"This seems to be working," Link said. "How many arrows do you have left?"
"Two..."
"Don't miss," Link said with a confident nod, seemingly unshaken by Fledge's response.
They began to hear the groans of the beast from beneath the water. Fledge readied an arrow, Link flourished the blade, and Fi began to glow once more. However, what came next was unanticipated by any of the heroic friends.
A lone tentacle emerged from the water, then whipped downward with agility unimagined from such a massive beast. The trio was forced to leap to dodge its assault, yet with such force, the tentacle split through the floor of the ship as if it was as thin as an autumn-dried leaf. The ship shifted to the side. All looked on in horror as the arrow fell from Fledge's hand and rolled down the now sloping deck until it fell into the rift made by the Tentalus.
"We need to get up higher, now!" Link ordered.
As another tentacle tore through the deck once more, Link and Fi rushed to a nearby ladder. Managing with one hand, Link pulled himself up and continued to run. He thought Fledge had been right behind him, yet somehow, the taller boy had fallen far behind, still on the lower deck as it was being finished off by another tentacle. Link turned to see Fledge leaping up, hand outstretched as the deck beneath his feet was pulverized to splinters. Time seem to slow down as Fledge's wiry body soared through the air, showered from behind with seawater and shards of wood. Link dove forward, landing on his right side and reaching his good arm out as far as he could. Fledge's wrist fell into Link's palm. His gangly body smacked harshly against the side of the ship. Link shrieked as his left arm screamed out in pain.
"Don't let me fall, Link," Fledge pleaded, his eyes wide with terror. "Please, don't let me fall."
Link stifled his shouting. He hoisted himself up halfway and began curling his right arm. His face turned bright red as his eyes and teeth clenched. To Fledge's amazement, he could feel himself being lifted. He planted his feet on the wall and tried to walk upward while Link continued to pull with all his might. As the waves nipped at him from below, Fledge was finally able to grab onto the edge. Link rose to his feet and grabbed the back of Fledge's shirt, giving him one more tug to safety at last.
Before they could recover, six large tentacles emerged from the water, surrounding them on all sides. They crept up into the air, higher and higher, while the boys looked on with both their mouths agape. Link raised the sword to summon a skyward strike. However, nothing happened.
"Master," Fi began, "you are too physically exhausted to produce a skyward strike at this time."
"We're goners," Fledge said, watching the tentacles continue their ascent.
"There is something we can try, yet." Fi said.
"Din!" Link gasped.
At the sound of Din's name, an orange glow began to outline both Fi and the Goddess Sword. Link felt what little power he had remaining rallying within him.
"Get behind me!" he ordered to Fledge.
The tentacles were thrown down all in one movement, certain to be a deadly strike. With an impassioned shout, Link thrust the sword downward, plunging it into the wooden floor beneath them with a loud crack. A large flame erupted from it, shooting upward before creating a dome of fire above Link, Fledge, and Fi. All six tentacles crashed down on the shield of flame. The fire quickly spread up the tentacles, consuming them ravenously. Long, pained roars could be heard underneath the water as the beast retracted its burning extremities. The dome of flame vanished, leaving behind its residual heat and the sickening smell of burning sea creature flesh.
"I can't believe it." Fledge exclaimed. "Whatever you two did, it worked!"
His excitement was met with the sound of a harsh thud. Turning, he found Link on the floor, eyes closed and body limp. The Goddess Sword rolled from his hand.
"Link!" Fledge shrieked, lowering to his knees.
He tried to gently shake the boy, then brushed his fingers against his cheek, though it was no use. He was out cold.
"Master Link cannot continue in this fight," Fi stated plainly. "His body is completely exhausted."
"What are we to do?" Fledge asked, panicked. "That thing is going to attack again soon!"
"I calculate the Tentalus can be defeated with a final direct hit, like the one you delivered before, Fledge."
"Me? Finish off the Tentalus? I couldn't possibly-"
"Master Link believes you can," Fi said, "and I calculate that it is highly probable that you will succeed with my assistance."
Fledge held her gaze for a moment before a familiar shaking could be felt beneath them. Drawing in a swift breath, he readied the bow and the final arrow.
"I guess I have no choice but to make it, huh?" he quipped, though he was on the verge of a full-blown panic.
"You can do it, Fledge."
With a quick nod, Fi sped off, leaving a trail of shimmering blue light behind her. A hill of water formed as the Tentalus began its breach. Fi flew this way and that in its field of vision until it became visibly agitated by her, letting out a monstrous roar of protest. The beast was surprisingly agile in keeping up with Fi's movements, so its eye was never fixed in one place. However, Fi began a rapid flight backward, speeding past Fledge with her beautiful, blue glow trailing behind her. As she was now flying straight, the monster's eye became fixed.
Fledge closed his eyes, fearful that he would miss and afraid to watch himself fail. Yet before he released the arrow, he drew in as deep of a breath as he could, tightened his grip around the bow, and opened his eyes, locking his gaze onto his target. The arrow sped forth with a whistle so loud it could be heard over the rain and thunder. Fledge bit down on his lip and said the fastest prayer he could muster.
Whichever Goddess heard him must have been gracious indeed, as the arrow sank right into the Tentalus' eye. Its head reared back with another roar, though this one sounded weak, as if it were trying to rally the last of its strength. Tentacle-by-tentacle, the Tentalus began turning to a dark mist, until the storm wind carried it away into nothingness. Almost instantly, beams of sunlight began breaking through the clouds. One of them landed directly on Fledge and Link, enough to finally rouse the older boy. He murmured as he tried to sit up.
"Careful, now!" Fledge exclaimed, bending down to help him.
"What happened?" Link drawled.
"You must have used up all of your strength doing the fire... thing," Fledge chuckled. "You passed out. Then Fi and I managed to somehow take down the Tentalus."
"Really?"
"Affirmative," Fi replied. "And more good news. I estimate that with the aid of the potions, your arm has been restored by nearly fifty-percent. It won't be long before you are able to use it without re-injury."
"It's feeling a bit better," Link said, daring to touch his shoulder. "Wait, what of the sacred flame? Did we lose it in the destruction?"
As Link's question was being carried away with the wind, ahead of them, a grate of metal in the floor began to retract with a loud clank. They rose to their feet, with Link readying the Goddess Sword for an enemy. However, to their amazement, from the newly-opened hole came a pedestal, on top of which was the large flame glowing blue.
"It's beautiful," Fledge sighed.
Fi hovered over to the flame, which promptly grew larger and brighter until it reached out and took her up. Link's lack of a reaction kept Fledge from crying out in shock. Then, like a shooting star, Fi and the orb of fire surrounding her shot up until they disappeared into the blue, afternoon sky. All became eerily quiet, save for Fledge nervously pulling on the fibres of his shirt. After a time, Link hardened his stance and raised the sword halfway, very seriously glaring into the sky in wait. With frightening speed, the ball of blue fire sped back down toward them. Link had barely enough time to catch the blast with the sword, but in one swift movement, he did just that. The sword was enveloped in sapphire light, too intense to look at directly. Yet when the light faded, all eyes on it grew wide at once.
The sword was nearly unrecognizable. Its hilt had formerly been a deep teal color, but was now a vibrant blending of blue and purple. The grip was twice as long, and at the base of the blade, the purple and blue metal split off into two jagged edges, reminding Link a Loftwing's valiant wings arching downward. The blade was fastened by hot, golden trimming, and the blade itself looked almost like fine white quartz. It fit every curve of Link's hand right down to the tips of his fingers. His striking, green eyes reflected off the blade as he continued to stare at it in awe.
"This," Fi said, "is at last the Legendary Master Sword, forged by the Goddess Hylia herself to vanquish the darkness forever."
Link raised the sword, and immediately the blade was encased in cyan light, with a crisp, shrill sound that met all ears most graciously. Link felt the power of the skyward strike might leave the sword all on its own. Still, he flung the blade sideways, unleashing the larger and faster streak of blue light, which sped forth like a hungry beast ready for its prey. A smile formed on Link's face and a scoff escaped him.
"This is amazing!" he exclaimed.
"It really is, indeed," Fledge replied. "Congratulations, Link."
"With the Master Sword in hand," Fi said, "you now have all you need to awaken the Gate of Time at the Sealed Temple."
"Zelda!" Link said, his smile growing wider. "We can finally get to her. Let's be off to Faron Woods, quickly."
