The River Styx
When Zelda stumbled out of bed in the morning onto the deck, she was met with possibly the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. The seas which were an inky black the night before were now a crystallized blue that shimmered in the bright sunlight. Mountains rose into the skies, separating this tropical paradise from the rest of the world. Palm trees lazily swayed in the salty breeze on the shore. The sweet salty breeze took Zelda's breath away.
Zelda's mouth hung agape in awe at the scene before her. She leaned over the rail on the side of the deck admiring the scene before her and was now greeted with an even more spectacular view in the sea. The waters were transparent, clean of any filth and perfect in every possible way. Then her eyes lifted to the upcoming horizon.
On the horizon the sun's rays painted the sky shades of red and gold as the sun rose to meet the day. Floating atop the glassy waters were boats with the silhouettes of fishers reeling in their catch. Though the rest of world was sleeping through the dawn, the whole fishing town was awake with the light of sunrise dancing on the sea.
This was Lurelin, the infamous town of fishing and a place that all of Hyrule flocked to when the holidays drew near. However, this place with its inviting atmosphere housed more than just jovial travelers and ecstatic sightseers.
Rumors suggested that there were sinister doings happening in the town Lurelin. Zelda had heard suggestions that thieves would gather to auction their riches, that criminals would slip in the shadows and that villains would drink to their cruel victories. How to find this seedy part of Lurelin hidden below the sunny paradise resort town was said to be secret kept amongst only the crooks of Hyrule.
Curious travelers seeking to fulfill their dark interests searched everywhere for this den of thieves. No matter how many places these explorers looked for this "underworld" it was not easily found. Some who sought out this seedy underbelly were never seen again. Zelda feared that she may have made a terrible mistake bringing Prince Link here. She felt forced down this path dragging him with her. After all, Lurelin was the place that the voice had told her that she would find Ganondorf.
Her left hand formed into a fist and her eyes tore away from the beautiful dawn. Zelda couldn't feel her long nails digging into her flesh because whatever flesh had once been there had simply faded away into the pulsating mass, whatever it was. Zelda was nervous about this development to say the least.
Then, she saw it on her black glove.
Blood.
It was barely distinguishable from the dark color of the glove, but its deep crimson glimmer was noticeable to her in this light. Had she been walking around with blood on her hand this whole time? Zelda gulped. If so, she hadn't noticed. Had anyone else noticed, noticed how she walked carelessly around with blood on her hands? She hoped not. Well, she reflected, it was unlikely Prince Link had seen it or he surely would have shrieked and pointed.
Zelda was puzzled about where the blood could have come from. Not knowing bothered her. The question remained... was it hers or someone else's? She wanted it to not be the latter.
Furrowing her brow in thought, she remembered the creaking gears of Vah Medoh and its dark long hallways that would stir fear in any soul. In Van Medoh she had dipped her hand in a pool of blood. Touching an unknown person's blood was not a pleasant matter and surely one that would be imprinted in a person's mind forever. How had this slipped her mind? That surely was the source of the blood. It seemed it was it was definitely someone else's. The fact that Zelda had been walking around unknowingly with someone's blood on her hands made her stomach lurch in disgust which was followed quickly by a hunger pang.
Zelda's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten recently. She sighed and turned to go seek some nourishment then grabbed at the rail for support. The deck was spinning before her, and a fuzziness clouded her head. The young heroine knew she had to wash this blood off her hands and find something to eat before she lost her mind.
She glanced cautiously over to the quarter's door. She wondered why Misko and Arnen hadn't come out, but she also feared they would be coming out any minute and see her hand. Zelda knew she'd have to be quick. She quickly slipped off the glove only to reveal a more horrid scene.
Zelda's hand or at least what once had been her hand had doubled in size. Her fingernails had transformed into claws that looked as sharp as knives. The gooey structure from before had vanished. The hand was completely solid with deep ebony and crimson red painting her hand in forever changing swirls, constantly moving on her hand extending up her wrist to her shirt cuff. She rolled up her sleeve to see how much it had expanded on her arm over the past days.
She immediately regretted rolling up her sleeve. To her horror it wasn't just her hand that had been plagued by this disease. It was almost up to her shoulder. It had consumed her whole arm within a week. She sensed this vile substance was inching to contaminate her warm red blood, to flow through her entire bloodstream. Zelda shivered. Without thinking she touched the consumed arm with her good hand. She gasped and withdrew quickly because her fingertips felt as though they were going to burn off. Touching the affected limb was like touching the fires of hell.
Zelda's legs collapsed. Her body slumped against the side of the railing. Boiling rage, utter confusion, and a heaviness on her heart whirled within her. She pulled the sleeve firmly over the vile arm before she could upset herself more. Zelda felt like every day that was she losing herself to this, to this vile thing. The young heroine felt the tears starting to gather in her eyes but firmly blinked them away. Zelda knew she had access to the cure, to cure herself of this vile thing but she could she really use it?
A cure...a word that promised bliss for it brought good news to those who were blessed with having a way out of their difficultly. Except this cure was uniquely cruel. She learned of the cure from the old man who spoke to her in Van Rudania. The old man was a much different person than her. The old man seemed cruel, heartless, malicious so the cure would have been a miracle for him. However, she a heroine whose sole purpose was to protect all the citizens of Hyrule couldn't think of harming another being.
When he told her of the cure, she boiled with rage at him, and she felt no pity as she threw him overboard off Vah Rudania. The reason for his harsh departure was first for the audacity to even recommend a such a heartless cure to a hero but secondly that he had used the cure on an another being. Not just any being but her.
The old man had given her the disease through intentionally transmitting it to her. She learned from him that this certain "disease" had the fitting name of malice. Zelda was more than upset about the situation, some could say she was feeling a little malice herself. It astounded her...even though it may sound corny, but it infuriated her that the bad guy won in a way.
The old man had successful given her a disease that would slowly take over her body to the point that she would become a vicious killing machine. At least that is what he told her would come to pass unless she used the cure herself. Zelda would become a killing machine only if she didn't pass on the disease to another person, intentionally. She could only be free by damning another soul to this fate. Though Zelda knew it was horribly wrong she felt mightily tempted to pass it on despite her training in heroic ethics.
Maybe, it doesn't have to be a good person. It can be maybe a horrible person, a villain. Though, they are still a person...no one can ever take that right away from them...
It was a very difficult dilemma: Become a monster who will kill or pass the disease on only for another person to become a monster. How could she condemn another person? She had been taught that heroes were never supposed to make self-preservation a priority, yet she did not want to become a monster. Either decision would hurt Hyrule significantly. She had to choose which would be less damaging: hurting yourself knowing you would become a killer or hurting another and making that person doomed to become a killer.
Zelda put her face in her right hand, closing her eyes to from the intruding world outside. She couldn't choose since both choices were too terrible. Zelda looked up to the skies.
I have to find another way. There must be one.
The old man may have only told her the one he knew of. Then it struck her! Why should she trust that cruel being? He could have be lying for all she knew! What did a malicious old man have to gain from telling the heroine of Hyrule a way to cure herself and therefore saving Hyrule? The old man was Ganondorf's henchman, why would he want to sabotage his master's plan? Zelda slapped her knee and let out a hysterical laugh. How silly of her to trust an enemy.
The possibility that he wasn't lying weighted heavily on her heart. The cure, though terrible, still gave her an awful feeling of peace in her mind. After all, having bad options was better than having no options at all. If she had to, she could try this sinister cure. Zelda shook her head vigorously trying to shake these selfish thoughts from her head.
She willed her shaky legs to keep her balanced as she looked out across the tropical expanse of Lurelin. Her mind traveled back to the words of the voice who had been the one to guide her here. Though she knew she could not rely too much upon its silky words, perhaps finding Ganondorf would provide answers. After all, he must be the one behind all of this mess in Hyrule. Who else would be?
Zelda's eyes returned to her glove reminding her that she must clean it before the others spied her grisly limb. Tucked away in a corner was a water filled bucket which must have been used to clean the deck. She knew it was likely to be unsanitary but still would be better than trying to hold out her glove over the rail letting the waves splash it with a high chance of the glove being lost at sea. As she dipped the glove in the water, she heard the squeaky hinges of the quarter doors ring out.
"What are you doing out here so early? I thought someone like you would be taking your beauty rest," a gratingly familiar voice asked. Zelda froze. Her hand was uncovered with all its shiny claws and swirling moving colors. Her glove was soaking wet which meant that it would be a lot harder to fit her hand into the glove in addition to the difficulty of pulling it over her enlarged hand. Anxiety flooded her senses, making her stomach drop into her knees.
Zelda hid her hand behind her back and turned slowly to meet the gaze of the unwelcome visitor. The visitor slouched against the rail in an oversized green jacket with many pockets and tossed his messy black hair out of his eyes. "What are you doing out and about, Arnen?" she shot back, trying to keep her face clean of any nervousness.
Arnen didn't answer, simply tilted his head assessing her reaction. She was showing more tension than she usually did. He knew Zelda did not trust him, but this was more tension than he usually sensed from her. Then, he noticed that she had her hand behind her back, "Is your hand still being freaky, by the way?"
She furrowed her brows. Her chest brewed with sudden frustration. Freaky! What a horribly casual way to describe something so serious! "None of your business." Zelda spat.
"I actually do believe it is my business. The last time I was around that hand I almost died." Arnen pointed at his neck where his bruises had turned a nasty blue. Zelda cringed. "Yeah, you forgot that didn't you? You do seem to forget a lot of things, at least important ones." Arnen scoffed belligerently with arrogance as though he wasn't standing before the woman that nearly killed him a day ago.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked, her eyebrows raised at him. In the sunlight something gold glinted around his neck, distracting Zelda. "What's that?" Zelda pointed at the glinting object.
Arnen's eyes went wide as his eyes traveled to where her finger pointed. He tucked a gold pendent swiftly into his shirt. "Nothing." Arnen replied gruffly. Zelda felt her gut twist as though she had just glimpsed something important.
"If it is nothing than I am sure you wouldn't mind showing me?" Zelda took a step forward, inching towards the bandit who was obviously hiding something. Arnen seemed to be catching on to what she was implying and started to move away.
"I think I have some...you know...shipments I must attend to. So, see you later, hero." Arnen tried to scoot away from Zelda to a trapdoor which led to the lower decks.
Without realizing what she was doing, Zelda reached out with her cursed hand to the glinting object. As he saw the hand which had recently choked him approaching, he shrieked with pure terror and his face went as white as a piece of parchment. Before she grabbed him by the neck she stopped herself, realizing what she was about to do. Zelda felt her insides twist with guilt at what she had almost done, again. This time she had stopped herself before it had gone too far.
"Hand it over." Zelda commanded. His eyes wide with terror, the bandit ripped the object from his neck and handed it to her before taking a few hasty steps away from her. The bandit was speechless, clutching his throat protectively and his eyes still staring at her unnatural hand.
"Still, got that hand, huh?" Arnen was able to say. Zelda ignored his comment and was marveling at the "glinting object" that was actually a golden necklace.
It was beyond beautiful, each golden curve carved with careful hands. It was as elegant as it was simple. In the center of the circular necklace was an hourglass made of two perfectly shaped triangles. Zelda stared at it puzzled. Though it was unfamiliar she could feel something stir in her heart while she gazed at it.
"What is this? It's beautiful. Where did you find it?" asked Zelda incredulously. Her eyes never left the necklace, so she didn't see Arnen's terrified face. Zelda could tell this necklace must have been expensive since it was made of pure gold, and it would certainly entice a bandit to snatch it.
Arnen took a breath and seemed to gain some of his confidence back. He straightened his back, and he was able to speak again. Glancing up, Zelda saw him smooth back his messy hair in arrogance and knew it was a mistake to ask. She rolled her eyes. This was going to be a long story full of exaggerations and half-truths and one that he surely took pride in. It was probably some grand heist of taking this necklace under the nose of a famous jeweler or something like that.
"Oh, I didn't find it. I stole-borrowed it from a certain castle and from a certain Queen." Zelda squinted puzzled at him for a minute before catching on. When, she did her eyes hardened and her glare was as sharp as daggers.
"You stole this necklace from the Queen of Hyrule!" Zelda shouted with rage, "Do you know how disrespectful that is! If the guards-." Adding more fuel to the fire of Zelda's rage, Arnen interrupted her.
"Wait, wait, wait! If you are going to throw me behind bars at least let me, tell you the story first." Arnen held up his hands in front of his face as if taming a wild dog. Zelda reluctantly gestured for him to continue his story. Eager for an audience no matter the circumstance, a stupid grin grew on his face. "And guess what? I stole it right from under your nose too! Remember, the night when the drama prince went and knocked himself out? While everyone was worrying over that little prince. I snatched that beauty from the Queen's end table. Her own end table for crying out loud."
"Oh, if only you could have seen me parading away from the castle like a king! I know it's a horrible thing to steal an affection gift from the royal family," Arnen stifled a giggle. "Apparently, the King gave to the Queen at some point during their marriage. I'm sure this necklace will sure run a nice price on the market!" Arnen stupidly grinned. Did he not know that Zelda's was going to take this away from him?
"Well, you are not going to have it!" Zelda exploded. Arnen's face grew furious, and he made a grab for it. Zelda threatening waved her left hand at him, fingers outstretched while she held the necklace securely in her unaffected right hand. "This is the Queen's necklace. I'm doing you a favor by not having you be caught by the guards once they trace this necklace back to you." Zelda's shook the necklace in Arnen's face.
"What do you mean?" Arnen stared at her puzzled and tilted his head trying to figure her out. Then the bandit finally understood. "You're going to let us go? You're not turning us in?"
Zelda suspected that Arnen regarded this news as a miracle. Judging by the value of the necklace, Arnen and Misko's neck were at risk for being beheaded. Though it was a kind gesture to them it wasn't entirely her reason for letting them go. "Yes, I am. But..." Zelda looked directly into his watery eyes. "This is mine and Link's payment for allowing us passage on your ship. I don't turn you in and now we are even." Arnen frowned at her. So, she was correct after all. Zelda knew enough about bandits, pirates, crooks to know that when you owed them something they would cash it in for a higher price at a more convenient time for them. "The necklace is also coming with me, if you were wondering."
"Come on, Zelda," Arnen whined. He knew she wouldn't change her mind, but he had to make at least a token protest. He was both surprised and annoyed that Zelda knew a trick or two about his folks unfortunately for Arnen.
"I suppose you should start guiding the ship to the bay. We will be getting off soon." Zelda put the necklace around her own neck for safe keeping. It would make it less likely it could be pickpocketed by either of the bandits. "Wait. Who is handling the ship?" Zelda looked up at Arnen puzzled. He grinned at her.
"Oh, yeah that...we have some grateful customers who supplied us with advanced technology to have the ship run without a person having to guide it all the time. They wanted us to be more efficiently in our way of travel so it's a win-win. They get their supplies, and we get to have a relaxing voyage." Zelda furrowed her eyebrows. She hadn't known that there was ancient technology circling amongst bandits.
There had indeed been an age in Hyrule when technology was advancing rapidly. These discoveries were shut down by a paranoid king, afraid that his people may rebel.
Pieces of ancient technology had been found over time. Their husks dotted the landscape inert and useless. Though Zelda hadn't seen it, she had been told often to be wary because a few still worked, lurking, waiting to serve a master or destroy an interloper. These functional intact objects were said to circle in shady circles. The only other source of this long-forgotten technology was from was a tribe who specialized in technology advancements though that tribe was said to have some...interesting practices.
Zelda asked, "Who are your customers, exactly?" She tapped her foot, gazing at him intently.
"I don't know." Arnen shrugged. "We drop off the crates at some meeting places in Lurelin. I've never seen them myself, but they do pay good money so if they don't want their identity known than I will respect that." Arnen answered with little concern or curiosity about his technologically advanced customers.
"Are you aware that manufacturing that kind of technology is illegal?" Zelda frowned at him, crossing her arms. Though shorter than him, her authority was intimating even to a tall person. "Your customers do seem to be on the illegal side of the market, aren't they?"
"The same could be said for you." Arnen lifted his chin and motioned to the quarter's door. "I saw what your prince is carrying around. If I am not mistaken that slate is illegal. Prince Link seems pretty proud of his upgrades. These upgrades, tinkering and adding to the technology, certainly sound to me like manufacturing. Also, you are wrong. I have done nothing wrong. I haven't manufactured any illegal ancient technology. I have simply put it to use. Let me remind you that you have illegal technology to thank for propelling the boat here so quickly. Think about that, hero."
Arnen pointed a finger at her, a flare of victory was in his eyes. Zelda hadn't expected to be challenged so severely by a foolish pirate. The stupid bandit did have a point, sadly. If Prince Link made illegal upgrades to his slate, then Zelda could hardly report Arnen to authorities lest he retaliate with this information about the prince. Prince Link was clever but clueless about how his improvements to the Sheikah slate could be regarded as illegal. Zelda wasn't sure if they even would be considered illegal but to be safe, she had to accept the bandit's perspective for now.
"You had better attend to your shipments and we shall let this matter drop, don't you think?" Zelda glanced sharply at the rusted trapdoor before turning away from Arnen with a spin of her heel. Though, before she could make it very far, she felt his hand grab her arm. "What now?" Zelda turned around to hear what more Arnen had to say.
"I know your secret." Arnen's eyes practically glinted with rupees as he spoke those dreaded words. He pointed at her cursed claw, then gestured down the quarters. "I'm sure the prince of Hyrule would like to know that his hero is harnessing a bit of evil within her soul?"
"Are you trying to blackmail me?" Zelda shoved him away from her, out of his grasp. Her eyes flashed with anger, her cheeks grew red, and a burning sensation built within her chest. Clearly Arnen was trying to get back at her for taking away that expensive necklace in a desperate attempt to earn some money. "Seriously, Arnen. I'm just trying to save Hyrule and figure out this whole hand situation. I don't think you understand the direness in my position. First, of all this evil is not in my soul. Its-its just..."
Zelda gave up in trying to explain herself and instead looked fiercely into his eyes, making sure her point was made. "If you try to blackmail me, then I will run your precious market into the ground. My hand is just itching to grasp your neck and this time it will damage more than mere bruises." She held up her hand before him, claws extended though not moving it towards him.
"Lovely." Was all Arnen could choke out as he stumbled away. He realized he was stepping too close to rage and danger and the paltry rupees he could gain from blackmailing her would be useless if she killed him. Hah, what a vicious little hero lurked under that golden hair and wide eyes.
Rusty hinges on the trapdoor opened and closed and Arnen was gone. Zelda stared at the trapdoor wondering if Arnen had actually taken her threat seriously. Then, her eyes fell on her clawed hand. No one was stupid enough to put themselves in danger of choking twice, that is if they had a brain. Zelda shrugged and went to the bucket to finish the job trying not to dwell too long on the fact that in that moment she had meant it as a serious threat.
Within minutes the bucket's clear blue waters were replaced with a murky crimson color of blood. Zelda wrung out her soaking glove as best as she could before slipping it over her clawed hand. The final part of the job erased all the blood on her hands entirely as she poured the blood-filled bucket into the sea. Only the creatures watching her from below would know what she was disposing of and none above the waters need ever know.
While Zelda checked the bottom of the bucket for any residue, she heard the hinges creak on the quarter's door. Zelda couldn't help but smile since she knew who it would be walking out of that door. She looked up meeting the sleepy gaze of Prince Link who yawned loud enough to wake the whole ship. When he spotted her, he greeted her, "Good morning, Zelda. Have we arrived at Lurelin yet?"
Zelda placed the bucket in the corner of the ship just as it was before. She walked to the other side of the ship that looked across Lurelin. She was taken by surprise to see that the ship was docking itself that very minute. "Yup, we are finally here." She glanced over at Prince Link who was at her side.
The heroine and the prince gazed over the lively village. Crystal waters below sparkled in the dying dawn as the day truly began. Fishermen and townsfolk peered curiously at the docked ship only to start shaking their heads when they had read the scrawled name of the ship "Fallen Angel" carved into the ship's side.
"Pack up." Misko called out from behind them. Zelda turned to see Misko's usually smirking face was drawn into a line. He moved towards them and gestured to the quarters. "You guys should put on some hoods. We do not want to run into trouble early."
"So, you are guiding us through the underworld, yes?" asked Prince Link. Zelda could tell he was nervous since he scratched the back of his neck as he spoke. "I sure hope you know what you're doing."
Misko laughed derisively, causing Prince Link to scowl. "Oh, don't you worry. I know it like the back of my hand," Misko said glancing back to the trapdoor. "Arnen has to deliver a shipment, so it is just us three today. We need to be extra careful." Misko turned back to them, with a hint of ominousness in his voice. "The underworld can be a dangerous place for unexperienced visitors."
"Okay." Zelda replied unfazed. She suspected Misko was trying to be extra dramatic just to frighten Prince Link and her. Zelda wasn't exactly the most experienced when it came to really dangerous criminal activity. Her prior experience was limited to chasing down crooks associated with petty stealing. She was confident if they kept their head down, they could learn the whereabouts of Ganondorf...and she would plan from there. Zelda turned to Prince Link and murmured, "Only pack what you need Link. Not any unnecessary accessories. We need to be ready to run if needed." Prince Link nodded with what Zelda believed to be an acknowledgement. Prince Link had the tendency to overpack with unnecessary items especially clothing and Zelda wanted to make sure her words got through his thick head.
After the two of them had gathered what they needed to pack for the journey which were rations, to weapons, to rupees and other necessary items. Finally, when Prince Link had finished triple checking his bag did the trio final step off the "Fallen Angel".
Misko strode ahead of them as though he owned this whole town, scuffing sand up with each step of his boots. The bandit did what he had promised to do and guided them through the throng of villagers. It was quite the different than what she had encountered in the other places in Hyrule.
She saw some form of joy and carefreeness in every corner of this village. Children played by the shore, splashing in the waves and playing ball under the shade of the palm trees. Men and women alike set out on boats and hoisted nets filled with colorful fish. From everywhere she heard a playful exchange of laughter happening between the villagers. Was this really a place that concealed a seedy underbelly dark enough to hold Ganondorf's secretes?
If Zelda hadn't been here to face off with one of the greatest villains of time she would have stopped to chat with the jovial villagers and explore the vibrant village which these fishermen called home. Misko's fast pace frazzled her as she struggled to keep up with his pace as well as marveling at the beautiful village.
They reached the edge of the village, and he strode onwards. As they walked further and further the village's brilliant lights and mirthful sounds faded. The surrounding mountain's shadows began to dip over this part of the beach, the sea lapping at their moving feet seem to darken and there was a sudden chill in the air that froze her to the bone.
"Ah, there it is! The River Styx!" Misko pointed ecstatically. Zelda looked up to see what Misko had spotted and as she did her spirt fell. She tightened her hands on her blue hood as she gazed with wide eyes at the scene before her. Glancing sideways at Prince link, she noticed his chest was heaving at an unsteady pace and his face had gone pale.
It was a most dreadful sight. A huge hole shaped like a mouth was carved into the side of the mountain. Its opening was large enough to fit a big boat. Sharp points on the upper part of its roof looked like fangs ready to gnash down on anyone who dared to wander in. The sea fed into the mouth, its waters traveling into the darkness until her eyes could not see the dark waters lapping the sides of the cavern's walls. The beach was bare of any vegetation as though no living things wanted to be near it, no palm trees, no brush, nothing. This is what she supposed was the entrance to the underground. Though to how they would enter without a boat still mystified her.
"It looks so inviting." Prince Link deadpanned, glaring at Misko. Zelda couldn't blame Prince Link, it unnerved her that to enter the underworld they had to go through what looked like a mouth. It gave her a horrible premonition as though walking into a monster's gullet.
Misko didn't respond. His serious visage gained Zelda's attention instantly. "You have to listen to every word I am telling you now." Misko enunciated each word carefully. "When we go in there, you will not talk unless absolutely necessary. Keep your head down. Try not to get into an argument at all costs. We must be quick and swift about trying to locate Ganondorf if we are to succeed." Misko pulled an ebony hood over his own head, "And above all trust me."
Zelda rolled her eyes at that last line though she planned to heed his other words. She wasn't about to trust a shady bandit at all though his knowledge may be of use in this environment. Prince Link seemed to have a similar reaction since she could see he was raising his eyebrow under his pale hood. "Alright." Zelda conceded without enthusiasm. Zelda would try to follow most of his advice but the last part she would not. Mistrusting a bandit was a no brainer but she shrugged and followed after him.
As they approached the mouth, or rather the cavern opening, a wooden ferry silently glided towards them from out of the darkness. Hanging off the prow of the boat was a flickering lantern lighting up the dark cavern. The ferryman guiding the boat along the dark waters was covered in a dark cloak that concealed their face. At the approach of this ominous ferry, Zelda felt like every part of her body was frozen in place. The ferry moved closer and closer as the skeletal hand of the ferryman dragged their oar into the black waters.
"Hello, Charon! Long time no see!" Misko waved at the ferryman with an ecstatic mood that Zelda found horribly inappropriate at a time like this especially with the pun included. Despite Misko's calling the ferryman's name, the ferryman did not utter a word or lift his head. He silently continued rowing toward the trio. Prince Link stepped closer to Zelda as the ferryman, Charon, stopped the ferry right by the water's edge.
Instead of speaking to them, Charon extended his hand towards them. Prince Link and Zelda looked to each other unsure what the ferryman was doing. Misko appeared unconcerned as he as he rummaged in the many pockets of his jacket. Misko drew out two gold coins and placed them in Charon's hand. Despite his bravado, Misko shuddered when he accidentally grazed the ferryman's bony hand. Charon dropped the coins into a small old bowl in his ferry then extended his hand to Zelda and Prince Link. "What does he want?" Prince Link whispered to Zelda. Zelda had no answer.
A raspy voice answered Link's inquire, "You have two eyes, don't you boy? I need two coins." When Zelda realized the voice had come from the ferryman, she flinched before she could stop herself. Prince Link pulled his large bag off his back to find his small bag within that had the coins needed. However, when he dropped four coins in Charon's hand the ferryman only bagged two of the coins before tossing them carelessly back at the prince.
Misko whispered in Zelda's ear, "He only accepts payment from the person themselves. No one else can pay on your behalf. Do you have two coins?" there was a desperate look in Misko's eye that made Zelda nervous. Did something happen if you didn't have two coins? Zelda pawed through her bag but to no avail. She did not find two coins. She had found one coin under her rations. Though this find did not comfort her since panic began to course through her veins as the search for the coin stretched. Did she not have one?
Charon's outstretched hand was beginning to curl into a fist as her eyes grew wide. Zelda's panicked search made her hand movements become clumsy causing a few items to drop out of her bag. "Pay up, girl." The ferryman's raspy voice insisted though Zelda wasn't sure if she could at this point.
When Zelda was sure all hope was lost, she felt Prince Link move in beside her. She felt a heavy object drop into her pocket. She glanced at him puzzled but he stared straight ahead, not daring to look at her. When she stuck her hand in the pocket, she felt the shiny cool shape of a gold coin.
Zelda pulled it out and quickly deposited the coin in Charon's hand who added the coin solemnly to his collection. Thankfully Charon hadn't noticed Prince Link's helping hand. Zelda still found herself sweating even when she was safely seated in the ferry. Zelda reminded herself to thank Prince Link later when they were safely out of the underworld.
The trip was silent. An occasional drip broke the silence. No one spoke. Zelda gazed curiously down at the dark waters wondering what lay beneath its opaque surface. When she looked up at the ceiling of the cavern, she found herself acutely aware that above her was miles of mountain and rock. Her heart sunk into her stomach. She could imagine the rocks falling atop her crushing her and driving her into the ground. This did not give her peace of mind though...would anything at this point not frighten her?
After what seemed a long time, the inky darkness was shattered as light lit up the dark waters and highlighted the stone walls surrounding her. Zelda could hear jolly chatter, folk music and could see life starting to bloom in front of her eyes. Though it sounded merry, there was something wrong, as though the music and voices were distorted. Despite the sudden brightness of lights, the atmosphere had a veil of darkness.
When the ferry entered the center of the light she realize where the sound was coming from. The River Styx's led out into an extremely large cavern that stretched high out of eyesight and docks extended farther than she could imagine. It was like a secret city that was kept hidden away from the public. Despite the foreboding aura that crept into her heart she couldn't help but feel excitement leapt in her chest as she took in all in.
Floating on the water were large boats that must have once been out at sea but now were docked here. On the boats she could see an array of races from all over Hyrule. Each boat seemed to have its own purpose, from shops, to casinos, to bars, to lounges. There were auction tables set out on the decks of ships with shouting people and fists shaking in the air. Windows on the side of various ships revealed casinos on the inside, running wild with rupees being thrown into the air. Bars were set out on the decks of ships with bottles of multi-colored liquids scattered about and couches, chairs, and other seating arrangements spread out. Countless other shops of all sorts were set out on ships with extravagant signs painted and barkers called out to customers on the docks.
Brilliant lanterns soared across the cavern ceiling in lines that stretched across the width of the cavern. The most crowded places were the docks swarming with people going in and out of boats. Makeshift shops were setup on the docks with even more wares to buy and sell. Zelda couldn't believe there were so many people here! How the authorities hadn't caught this crook den baffled her as she watched countless new people appear on the docks. Zelda glanced at Link who stood beside her with his jaw agape, goggling at the sight.
"Welcome to the underworld," Misko grinned as he threw his arms wide, gesturing towards the sight before them where the scum and the crooks thrived without rule and without law. "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy." He inhaled deeply and added with an unsavory grin, "Isn't it glorious?"