Chapter 26: Phantom Hourglass
"So what brings you here, Hero?" the man asked. He swam over to the other side of the pond and pulled himself out. Link veered his eyes as the man put on his clothes.
"How do you know about me?" Link asked curiously.
"The Oracle told me about you before I left," he answered. "My name is Wade." Link turned and saw that he was dressed. Wade was a tall, muscular man, with thick, blonde hair. His ears were curved, like the villagers', his hair tucked behind them. His eyebrows were strong and curved, and his shoulders were broad. He wore a blue tunic, and a bow and quiver full of arrows were strapped across his back. "You still haven't answered my question. Why are you here?"
"I have come to defeat the Phantom," Link stated.
Wade smiled. "But of course. I should have guessed. And who is this pretty creature?" He glanced at Navi.
The Fairy giggled. "This is Navi," Link said. "She has helped me through my journey. But is there a reason you are here, Wade? Until now I have seen no one through this forest but the Fairies."
"I am a researcher of folklore," answered Wade. "Have you ever heard of the Minish?"
Link recalled his talks with the Hermit. "You're looking for them? But I thought they were just myth."
"They haven't been seen, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. The Minish are small people; perhaps they are afraid."
"But there is no evidence of their existence," Link said strongly. "How would you even know where to look?"
"Texts have led me here," he answered. "But either the Minish do not exist as you've said, or they've hidden themselves well. But what I search for is no less shady of an endeavor than what you hope to do. If you want to defeat the Phantom, you'll need more than just a strange getup and a sword. The Phantom's army has already attacked your town. I've seen it with my own eyes. You're going to have to hurry if you want to make it in time." The horse whinnied, walking slowly across the grass.
"Then will you take me there?" Link asked.
"Finally, you ask," Wade said, smiling. "I've always wanted to help make history –to be part of the legend."
"Then let's go!" Navi said suddenly.
Wade turned to her. "As you wish, Hero's Fairy." Wade climbed atop his horse and pulled Link up to him. "Hold on tight, Navi," Wade said. "It's going to be a bumpy ride." Wade pulled the reins and the horse sped off into the forest, swerving constantly to avoid the trees. Navi, surprised, was forced to grip Link's shirt and hold on tight, fighting off the wind from taking her away.
Hours passed, and the forest continued to speed by them in a hazy blur. Wade held the reins forcefully, swerving the horse that he called Fiona from side to side, through the trees and through the brush. For a while there was silence, and there was only the chattering of the animals in the forest.
Sitting behind Wade, Link felt the thump of Fiona as she ran, bumping up and down.
"We're making good time," Wade said as they rode on. "Soon we'll reach Death Mountain." He paused. "Listen, Link. I want to help you in your fight with the Phantom. I'm an archer, and I am very skilled."
"Sorry, Wade," Link said. "This is something I need to do alone."
"Okay," the man answered instantly. "That's fine. It's just…I don't just study the Minish. Lately the Phantom has been my subject of interest." There was a moment of silence as they listened to the horse trot through the forest. "He has a different motive than you know. Even than I know. The Phantom isn't just trying to take over the town. He has darker plans. I'm still trying to put the pieces together, but I've learned something."
"What's that?" Link asked, interested.
"Have you ever heard of the Phantom Hourglass?" he asked. Link shook his head.
"No, I didn't think so. Picture a giant hourglass, larger in height than both of us standing on top of each other. It's black, and it holds much sand within. The sands trickle down slowly through the Hourglass. I don't know how long it would take for all of the sand to fall through, but it's got to be more than an hour –let me tell you. Have I seen this Phantom Hourglass? No, only pictures. But don't think this thing is as much a myth as the Minish. No, this is more real than anything."
"Do you know what the Hourglass does?" Link asked.
Wade shook his head. "No, but I know one thing. This plot that the Phantom has been developing, this war that has been going on, it all happens with the Hourglass. Everything happens with the Hourglass. You want my advice? I don't need to go with you if you don't want me to, but know this: if you're going to want to stop the Phantom, you're going to need to find out what this Hourglass does. You'll figure out what it does, and as soon as you do, you'll destroy it."
