Chapter 17: Sage of the Forest
The Lost Woods were no problem, not this time. Gaebora led Link through the long, dark trail-less path to the temple within the forest. It wasn't a fast road; the moon grew higher and higher in the sky, and Link had begun to wish for nothing more than sleep, but Gaebora finally swooped down between the trees and perched on Link's shoulder.
"Here's where I leave you, Link. If you're ever lost, look skyward. For now, head straight through here and discover your destiny."
Gaebora flew up into the sky and disappeared beyond the trees, his great shadow passing over Link for a final time.
Link took a moment to clear his mind and headed straight through the trees. It wasn't long until he could see green hair in the distance.
Breaking out into a run, Link closed the gap between him and Saria quickly. She was looking down at an ocarina in her own hands, playing it softly, in a trance from the music.
It was then that Link realized he could hear another instrument as well: a violin.
Spinning, Fado was sitting on another stump, playing his instrument along with Saria. The two didn't even see him as he stood in the center. Saria took another breath and continued playing, all without looking up.
Scoffing, Link sat down on the side of Saria and nudged her. She didn't react.
For a moment, Link just watched and listened to them play, their songs bot completely different, yet perfect compliments of each other.
With a thought, Link pulled out his own ocarina, ready to join in. Saria and Fado both stopped and stared at him.
"Will you play with us?" Saria asked, staring at the Ocarina of Time.
Link was stunned. He almost didn't answer, but somehow managed to croak out a yes.
Saria laughed, her innocent laugh that always made Link smile hadn't changed a bit. "Great! Follow along! You'll get it!"
She began to play again, and Fado joined in with his instrument. They played an eerie sound, similar to what he'd heard leading him through the forest seven years ago. With his own ocarina to his mouth, he played the first thing that came to mind. It worked well with the notes they were already playing, and he realized that he, too, was getting lost in the music. When he looked up again, moonlight no longer filled the grove, but sunlight. He stopped, and so did the others.
"That was fantastic! We should play again sometime!"
"Wait, Saria, Fado!" he called before they could pick their instruments back up. They watched him, waiting.
"Do you remember me at all?"
Link looked between Saria and Fado, but his old best friends looked at him as a stranger. He could feel a pain in his chest as they stared at him. It hurt worse than most of the things he'd felt in his life.
"You look familiar…" Fado finally said, "But I don't think we've met in this lifetime."
Saria clapped her hands together and laughed. "You must have been a Kokiri, like us! We might have been friends!"
With a sad smile, Link nodded. "I think we would have been. We'd have been the best of friends."
They nodded in agreement before returning to their instruments and back to their trance.
Above his head, Link could see a door leading into a large structure that was hidden by a massive amount of vines and other foliage. A nearby tree looked like it was close enough to reach the door.
Carefully, Link climbed up and made the small jump from tree to platform and stepped into the doorway.
Before him was a large room with several doors. Braziers burned with flames of several colors, and a great structure stood in the center of the room. Link went to it and stepped inside, causing it to fall. He hung on to the pillar and landed with a hard thud. Though he was a bit dizzy from the impact, he stepped off and headed through the large door before him.
There was a familiar body in the center of the room, dead.
Purlo's eyes were wide open, the look of fear etched forever on his corpse. Link looked away, unable to meet the eyes of his old friend.
And suddenly, Purlo stood in front of him.
"Link! It's good to see that you made it here."
Link looked behind him. The body was still there. "Purlo? What's happening?"
The Sage smiled and went to put his hand on Link's shoulder, but it fell through his body, leaving Link with a chill. "I was the first one to be killed by Ganondorf and his minions. There was no warning for me. The Great Deku Tree sent your two friends to distract others who came through the woods. Their melody has been driving everyone away, either leading them straight back to the start, or to be lost forever in the woods. They are the only reason there are no more fiends left behind in this temple."
"Why didn't you come back to the Spirit Realm to tell us?"
"I did. I am not allowed to leave this room until the next Sage awakens and I may finally find peace. Play your melody, Link. Set me free. Do the same for the others who did not make it and be wary: no other temples are protected by the Great Deku Tree."
Link took out his ocarina, but couldn't bring himself to play. "Purlo, you've been a great friend over the years."
Purlo smiled. "And you, Link. Don't be afraid. Destiny is in your blood. We all knew it, and still do."
Link finally held the ocarina to his mouth and started to play. The song that came out was the one he'd just played with Saria and Fado. He watched as Purlo's spirit began to fade with every note until he was no longer in front of him. Link put the ocarina away and sent a quick prayer to the Goddesses.
"Link?" a young voice asked.
Turning, Link could see Saria running for him, full speed with no sign of slowing. He knelt down and caught her as she threw herself into his arms.
"You're alright! What happened? Why were you playing that song? Why are you even here?"
"Are you the Sage?" Link asked simply.
Saria stepped out of his arms and looked around, closing her eyes. "Can you hear them, Link? The Goddesses are singing. They sing your song, Hero." Opening her eyes, she smiled. "I am the Sage of the Forest. I couldn't hear their call until now, but it's all so clear. I'll be safe here, Link. Rauru has already told me everything I needed to know; I just couldn't understand his words until now. Go, save Hyrule. Fado will protect me here until he awakens as a Sage one day. It's a strange fate, but one I wouldn't have any other way."
"Saria," Link started. He couldn't even begin to tell her all his regrets. He'd never be able to tell Fado. "Watch out for everyone while I'm gone. I hope we can catch up in the Sacred Realm when this is all over."
"You'll always be my best friend, Link. I'll be watching over you."
