Chapter 11: The Great Fairy's Gift
Crowds gathered in the streets to watch the Hero and his Fairy shrink away into the horizon. Citizens remained for a long time, eager to catch the last inkling of the Hero's presence before the forest swallowed his existence. For so long the people had waited for this moment. For so long they had endured the wrath of the Phantom and his subordinates, absorbing the blows, knowing that soon the Poes and their master would face fate. They had seen the Hero's initial failure, but so strong was their faith that they saw this only as a minor deterrent in the path of victory. Alone they were nothing. In their minds the Phantom was intangible –an unknown force beyond the grasp of understanding. But the Hero would save them. The Hero would clear their path and pave way for a new and better future.
As the cheers began to die away in the wind, and the forest seemed to enshroud him in darkness, Link finally accepted the fact that a new day in his life had officially begun. He would now have to push himself as far as he went the day he destroyed Ganondorf. But as he heard the winds breeze through the shingled trees, brushing through the leaves like chimes, Link knew that he would be protected.
For hours Link and Navi toiled through the forest, maneuvering around the towering trees and jumbled shrubs. All the while darkness persevered, allowed to thrive while the sun was blocked by the trees. The silence was uneasing. Many times Link would stop just to listen, perceiving imminent danger, only to move on when nothing appeared, distraught. A clearing opened up for them as they continued, and a tiny lake revealed itself deep within the forest.
Link and Navi stopped to drink the freshwater, using this place as a sanctuary from the dark and ominous woods. Link and Navi spent much time there restocking on water and cleansing themselves. When night came and it grew even darker, it was decided that they would spend the night.
Before Link went to sleep, he crept to the edge of the lake, the water dark from the night. He picked up a stone, and for amusement, decided to throw it in the lake. As he heard it clunk into the water, something strange and unfamiliar occurred. The water began to ripple and churn, light from the bottom escaping to the surface. Bubbles formed in the center of the pool, undulations crashing down and conjuring white foam. Waves in the center of the pool collapsed, water sinking in the hole. Finally, something appeared from beneath the surface.
The Fairy was larger than any Link had ever seen. With great wings that spanned outward, a beautiful, charming face, and a slender, attractive figure, Link was drawn to her.
"I am the Great Fairy of the Forest," she explained. Link looked up with confused eyes. "Were you the one to throw the stone into the water?" She held in her hands the rock Link had thrown. Link did not want to lie, for he did not trust his cunning, so instead he nodded. "I admire your honesty," she said, smiling. "In return for your pure heart, I will grant you a gift- the very thing you once discarded into my waters." She handed Link the rock.
Suddenly, it began to change in Link's hands. The stone's surface melted, molding into a new shape. Curves formed around it, reshaping its texture. When it stopped, the rock was in the shape of a gem. Soon its color changed as well, transforming from a dull grey to a bold red.
"What is this?" Link asked.
"It is called the Fire Ruby. For now it is useless in your hands, but hold onto it dearly, for in time it will be of value. Much is the same with you, Link. Do not worry. My deed will be of service to you in time. For now, I grant you my power." The sky overhead thundered as rain began to fall, cleansing the lands. Link did not move from the edge of the lake. He watched the Great Fairy speak as the rain splattered against her wings, reflecting the image of the lightning in all directions. The lake began to cloud with mist, the waters churning once again. The Great Fairy slowly lowered into the waters, disappearing. Link struggled to see as she lowered into the depths of the lake.
"Wait!" he said. "Don't go." But it was too late. As the mist began to clear, Link saw that the waters had stilled, and signs of the Great Fairy's previous existence had faded. The sky continued to thunder overhead, sending pellets of water that showered the land, but the Great Fairy was gone herself. Link once again threw a rock into the water in an attempt to bring her back, but the only sound he heard was the stone as it splashed into the lake.
In a place miles away, atop the tallest mountain in the land, the Phantom stood motionless, overseeing his future domain. He took no notice of the rain that drenched his body, nor the thunder that crackled overhead. His mind was too bemused in his thoughts.
"Greetings," a coarse voice spoke from beyond the shadows. The Phantom turned slowly in the air, the edges of his tattered cloak caught in the wind. Three figures appeared from the mouth of a cave, slowly emerging. The first was the one who had spoken. He was the largest, a lanky creature that held himself up with two lengthy forearms. He was a slender being, his body as red as blood, two horns atop his head. The second that emerged was much smaller. This one floated across the air like a leaf wafting in the breeze. His body was very thin, parts of him translucent; a tiny head only made him distinguishable as a sentient being. The last creature was of moderate height, but black as the night. Nothing about him could be discerned, yet his presence was unmistakable.
"Gregon, Elsor, Felk, what an honor to see you." The three creatures tried to stand modestly, though a compliment from the Phantom is nothing to think little of. "I have heard that you three, together, are invincible. I have a task for you. Do not think that because of your reputation, you should take this lightly. I have heard great things about you, but I have seen the mightiest of creatures fall due to arrogance and audacity. Therefore I request that you take great caution and precision when you proceed." Overhead, the sky was lit up in a cobweb of lightning streaming across the sky, brightening the world for a moment. For less than a second the three creatures were able to see under the Phantom's hood, into his black hollow eyes. When the sky darkened once more, the King of the Poes spoke. "What I wish you to accomplish ensures both our existence and our future. You are to quench the light before it ignites. You are to eradicate the Hero of Winds."
