Chapter 3: Loved and Lost
Link stood exasperated, his fists clenched, his body shaking erratically. Indeed he saw Tetra on the ground, enshrouded in a black poison, but it took time before his mind could register the tragedy, and before he could grip his sword.
Why had Maple been so quick to act? Link thought. We did not wish to harm her.
But one look at Tetra told Link that Maple's act could not be ignored. A powerful magic had usurped Tetra's body, Link knew. The air itself seemed to teem with its existence, polluting more than just her body.
Link attacked with his sword forcing down unto Maple, wishing to end the battle quickly and swiftly. But Maple moved to the side at the last second, her skills matching his. She raised her wand to do to Link what she had done to the other, but suddenly a new force sent it flying out of her hands.
The Fairies.
Without her weapon to protect her, Maple was nothing. Link charged once again, and this time he was able to make contact. His sword sliced through her robe, digging into her shoulder. It wasn't a huge blow, but the wound was enough to leave the witch staggering.
Link did not wish to finish her off. He had seen enough blood since the days of Ganondorf to pursue for more, and so used this opportunity to flee. He grabbed Tetra, her discolored body giving off a faint but present glow, and made his way to the ship. Upon entering, he immediately lifted the anchor and prepared to sail. As the vessel began to drift away, picking up speed, Link saw the night glow brighter as the Fairies hovered in the skies.
"Please," one of them begged. "Take us with you. We do not wish to remain here."
Link's head swerved from Maple on the island, beginning to recover, to the forlorn faces of the Fairies on the ship. He said nothing, but his verdict was clear. As the wind took hold of the ship, sending it back to sea, the Fairies were permitted to house themselves on the upper deck. They thanked Link a thousand times for his valiant deed, but the taciturn hero was preoccupied with other matters.
On the lower deck, where little moonlight could reach, Link placed Tetra under the covers of the bed. He touched her face, and surprised himself by allowing tears to escape him. I must help her, Link thought. She must be saved. No matter what.
As the ship drifted across the dank waters of the ocean, a foreign body lifted herself from the sea, the water dripping from her clothes black from the lack of moonlight. She rested a moment, tending to her wound, contemplating her next move. She heard the sobbing of a boy, and knew that she had made the right choice. She had found her way off of the island, despite her broken broom.
Maple smiled. "The day will come that I avenge those of whom I have lost. This pitiful fool is merely the means to my destiny. If he must be slain to reach what I am promised, what is rightfully mine, then so be it."
