Chapter 10: Suffering's Outcome
After Maple departed the ship in clandestine, determined not to let them see that she had escaped the island, she quickly weaved her way through the crowds of the city. This was her home, though she wished it not. These were her streets. These were her people. These were her memories, though she no longer claimed an attachment to them. All that Maple wanted was to erase the past, to claim some sort of reassurance that her future would not be glum and filled with horror. The Fairies had once been her firm grip on the slippery ledge that was her life, but as she watched most of them depart into the north, Maple realized that she had fallen from that ledge long ago.
And then, just when she thought her past was forgotten, its remnants were thrust into her face. Shadows and dark clouds were conjured into the air, formed by an unnatural force. The darkness was tangible; like wind it flowed through the silent town, filling up every hole and crevice with fear and helplessness. Maple suddenly felt weak and vulnerable; she tried to find a way through the darkness, but it gripped her arms, forcing her to endure its wrath.
Out of the shadows the ghouls came, menacing and dark. Their leader, the one who had stolen her past, glided like a cloud through the empty streets. As dark as it seemed, Maple was able to see a light. Link, the one who had destroyed her life on the island, was the one who confronted the Phantom. But his efforts were for naught; Maple saw as the King of the Poes ripped him apart, twisting and turning his body, swallowing his courage. The battle was over soon, and slowly the darkness retreated into the sky. The Phantom led his Poes away from the town, and as they did the sky began to lighten, and the stricken faces of the villagers turned warm and cheery once again.
For hours Maple stood in place, aloof to the world around her, wrapped in her thoughts. She did not know whether she felt any sympathy for Link, but she did know that she had developed a deep contempt over the years for the Phantom that could never be thwarted by her ill feelings toward another, however dark they were. The truth was that she had almost cheered for Link, though she knew that if she had the chance she would consider killing him. Her hatred towards the Phantom was able to eclipse her distaste for the other, and so she preferred him. But did that mean that they were still enemies, or were they now equals? Was it possible to take the side of a foe? Whatever the case, Maple's confusion told her one thing: both she and Link shared the same goal; to slay the Phantom.
Link did not take very long to prepare for his journey; all that he brought with him he carried on his back, and everything else he cared for was left home at Outset Island, save Tetra of course. He only allowed a few minutes with her to say goodbye, for he did not want to appear weak in front of the Oracle. She looked so different now. Her curved ears, golden hair, and light skin made her appear as she did the day Link defeated Ganondorf. Suddenly the King of Evil's visage appeared in Link's mind, and it took much time and effort to shun it away.
"You will find the cure for Tetra's illness within the forest," the Oracle said before Link left. "You must find a small red and gold mushroom called Swodim during your journey to the Hermit, and you must bring one of these back to help Tetra. No species of these fungi exist in this village. You must remember to bring the mushroom back, Link, for your friend's life depends on it. A dark curse controls her body, Link. Whoever did this to her, you do not want to be in this being's presence again." Link nodded, making a mental note to search for this mushroom, determined to save Tetra from whatever prevented her from waking. Link stepped outside the hospital, ready to start his journey. He slowly closed the door, watching Elsa and the Oracle wave goodbye. "Good luck, Hero of Winds," the Oracle said before he closed the door. "I grant you good fortune during your travels. May your sword stay sharp, and may your heart remain pure."
Link began to walk down the steps, his mind finally able to accept that the day he defeated Ganondorf was not the last of his adventures. However, a new feeling of pride quelled his fears of the past. The Oracle had told him, through her prophecy, that there was little chance of Ganondorf's return. All Link needed to worry about now was the Phantom and his Poes; if this Hermit was able to grant him the abilities needed to slay this foul beast, then there was nothing to fear.
A familiar creature stood in Link's path.
"Navi," he greeted. "It's nice to see you again."
She appeared crestfallen, her tiny head sagged down in shame. "Are you okay, Link?" she asked. Link nodded. Though many injuries still restrained his abilities, he knew that they would heal, and did not want to sadden the Fairy any further. "I'm so sorry, Hero." She suddenly broke into tears. "I wanted to help you, but I couldn't. Those ghosts made you suffer, Link. It was my job to protect you, but I stood insignificantly to the side. I'm sorry, Link! Forgive me. Forgive me." She was sobbing now, attempting in vain to prevent her tears from escaping.
Link came closer. "It is not your fault, Navi. What the Phantom did yesterday had nothing to do with you. Had you tried to aid me, you may have just gotten in the way. Though it caused me pain, I now realize what the Phantom did to me is beneficial in the long-run. The first time I confronted Ganondorf my abilities paled next to his. But what I learned that day enabled me to later defeat him. My sword was blunt, and its magic had faded. Suffering that day taught me that I needed more to match his power, and that to defeat a mighty enemy you need a mighty weapon. As is the case here. I will learn from my suffering, Navi. The next time I meet the Phantom, I will not make the same mistake. I was strong enough to defeat anyone once, but now a transformation is needed to give me that power again."
Navi's tears finally subsided. "I would like to accompany you on your journey to reach that transformation."
Link nodded. "I already promised that you could come with me. I will not go back on my word. What happened yesterday taught us that we need to work together to defeat a foe. We will learn to do that, Navi. And someday, when we are connected in ways no one but us can understand, we will make victory certain."
Navi smiled, suddenly happy and eager. "Then let's go, Hero of Winds." With Navi hovering over his shoulder, Link walked down the last remaining steps of the hospital.
The Oracle watched with her mind as Link and Navi walked to the village's exit. She saw as they departed the town and entered the plains, the forest in view. Soon night fell, and they were indistinguishable in the dark. The Oracle closed opened her eyes.
"I hope what I did turns out as planned," she said, "though…deception is an evil trick."
