The Legend of Zelda: The Guardian of Sages

Chapter Four: What Lies Within the Forest Temple

Link was leading the way through each tunnel within the Lost Woods. Carrie followed behind, having one hand on her new sword at all times. Navi flies out, "Wow. The Dragon Sword is more amazing than I pictured!!"

Carrie smiles, "It sure is."

Navi gasps as she flies to Link, "Hey! Listen!! I wonder what's going on in the forest right now......I'm worried about Saria too!"

Carrie's eyes widened when she heard the name Saria. Link nods, "I'm worried too. I have a bad feeling."

Saria was a girl who was from the Kokiri Forest. She was also Link's best friend since childhood. Carrie nods, "We should hurry."

Link nods, "Right."

They then come across an area with a small water hole. When Link went to lead the way to the next tunnel, a little boy stood in front of it. He shouted, "Hault!!"

The boy had spiked out orange hair. He wore a green cap that stuck out and a sleeveless green shirt with matching shorts that were ripped. He also wore green shoes to go with it. His big blue eyes stared up at Carrie and Link.

Link's eyes widened, "Mido!"

Mido was indeed the kid's name. His eyes widened, "How do you know my name??"

Link then says, "It's me.....Link."

Mido shakes his head, "You're not Link! He disappeared long ago and never came back!"

Link then says, "Let us pass through......Saria needs our help!"

Mido shakes his head, "No! I don't trust you! Prove to me that you're friends of Saria's!"

Link then got out his ocarina. He then plays a small and catchy tune. Carrie smiles, "Saria's Song."

Mido's eyes widened, "Only Saria's friends know that song!"

Mido pauses and looks up at Link. He then sighs, "Okay....you can go through. I'll trust you."

Link smiles as he goes through. As Carrie went to go through, Mido blocks, "Not you! I don't trust you!"

Carrie glares at Mido, "Step aside pipsqueak!!"

As Carrie went to pass, Mido blocks her, "NO! I can't!!"

Carrie sighs in frustration, "Fine. Do it the hard way."

She then kicks Mido aside. His head hits a rock and he is then knocked out. Carrie smiles a little, "Oops?"

As she went to go into the tunnel, her gauntlets glow again. She looks down, "Huh?"

Carrie looks around as her gauntlets glow even more. Carrie then points her arm around the area. Her gauntlets glow as soon as she points to the water hole. Carrie's eyes widened. She then walks over to the water hole and looks into it. She saw something sparkle a silver shine at the very bottom. Carrie then walks into the cool water and dives in. She swims to the very bottom and grabs the silver item. She then swims to the surface, now wet, and climbs out of the water hole. She then looks at the item she found. It was a sparkling silver flute. Carrie smiles, "Cool!!"

She then runs into the tunnel to catch up with Link, who was waiting on the otherside for her. Link then walks up to her, "What took you? And why are you all wet?"

Carrie then says, "Uhh.....Mido gave me a hard time and I found something in the water hole."

Link's eyes widened a bit, "What did you find?"

Carrie then shows Link the flute, "This. It was just laying at the very bottom of that water hole."

Navi then flies to Carrie and looks at the flute. Navi gasps, "Could it be?? No....it can't be!!"

Carrie looks at Navi, "What is it?"

Navi bounces up and down, making jingle sounds. She then says, "It looks like the Zora's lost and most sacred treasure!! The Zora Flute!!"

Carrie's eyes widened. Zoras were a race of fish-like people from the water regions of Hyrule. Carrie then says, "W-wow! If we come across the Zoras, i'll return it to them."

Carrie then places it inside her red sash. Link then walks on ahead, "Okay. Let us keep going."

Carrie follows, "Alright."

Link then runs straight through another tunnel. Carrie then follows behind. Link then runs into a left tunnel and then a right. Carrie then runs to try and keep up. At least some of her clothes began to dry. Navi then sticks by Carrie, to make sure she didn't get lost, "This way, Carrie!!"

Carrie then follows Navi. They then go through another tunnel and see a vast meadow with green and yellow grass. Carrie smiles, "The Sacred Forest Meadow!!"

Link was at an opening looking through it with caution. Carrie runs up to him, "What is it?"

Link puts a finger on his lips, "Shhh......there's Moblins here."

Carrie's eyes widened, "Moblins?"

Carrie then looks around the bend. Her eyes widened at the sight. It was at least an eight foot tall creature. It had a dark, chestnut brown, bulldog-like face. It had demonic red eyes as well. It wore armour on it's shoulders, chest, and wrists. It carried with it a giant spear. It's muscles were big and visable, making it look viscious and strong. Carrie took a big gulp, "Geez...they look dangerous."

Link nods, "They are. If they see you....they will attack on sight."

The Moblin then walked right in front of them. Carrie gasped. Link then got out his Master Sword and sliced it. The Moblin screamed and faded. Carrie smiles, "Good job."

Link smiles, "Thanks."

Carrie then took a good look at Link's Master Sword. It had a purple blue handle with a yellow design in the center. It was indeed nice close up. Carrie smiles as Link then got his shield out as well. It was a Hylian Shield. It was silver around the edges and was blue in the middle. The designs of the Triforce and a red bird were on it. Link then turns to Carrie, "Let's go."

Carrie nods as she then gets out her Dragon Sword. Link then goes in further. He whispers, "Come on."

Carrie then follows behind. He then runs into the maze-like area and makes a turn. Carrie then catches up. Link stops as he saw another Moblin. Luckily it's back was turned. Link then runs at full speed at the Moblin. He then jumps into the air and swings his sword into a stabbing motion. Link roars, "Yaaagh!!"

Carrie's eyes widened at Link's speed. Link slays the Moblin and lands onto his feet. He pants, catching his breath. Carrie walks out, "Wow......that was amazing!"

Link smiles, "Your turn."

Carrie's eyes widened, "Me?"

Link nods, "The next one is yours. I want to see how good your sword skills are. I should at least see how much I should teach you."

Carrie's eyes widened more, "Teach me? You want to teach me?"

Link then says, "At some point. You don't seem the type to have mastery of swordsplay yet."

Carrie's eyes narrowed, "How would you know?"

Link smirks, "That is why I want you to destroy the next one. So I can see how much you know."

Carrie sighs, "Okay. I'll do it."

Link then leads the way towards the next corner in the maze. They turn and see another Moblin. Link then goes right behind Carrie. He then whispers right into her ear, "First thing to wielding a sword is your stance. Your stance will determine how easy you will move. Make sure your grip on your sword is firm."

Carrie flinched a little as Link's voice sent little shivers down her spine. Not from fear, not from discomfort, but from warmth and content. Link then says, "Let's see your stance."

Carrie then straightens herself up and puts her sword out in front of her. She then puts her feet apart and crouches a little. Link smiles, "Not bad."

Link puts his sword and shield away. He then places his hand on Carrie's stomach and pulls her against himself. He then puts his hands on Carrie's hands upon her sword. Carrie's eyes widened at the suddeness. Link then crouches with her only slightly. He then whispers, "Crouch only slightly......so your movements will be made easier when you make them."

He then loosens his grip on Carrie's hands, "Don't grip too tightly.....your sword will be knocked out of your hands that way if you are hit."

Link then places his hands on Carrie's hips, "Make sure the space of your feet is the same as your waist."

Carrie nods, "Okay...."

She then turns her head to look at Link. He smiles softly, "You see? Easier isn't it?"

Carrie smiles softly. Link found himself staring at her. Carrie stares back. Link then realized that his hands were still on Carrie's waist. He then lets go, "Now......show me what you can do."

Carrie nods, "Right."

She then peers at the Moblin, who was beside the bend. He then turns around and began to walk away, away from them. Carrie takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She then closes her eyes and concentrates. Her sword began to glow a light reddish colour. Sparkles began to surround the Dragon Sword. Link watches with interest and smiles.

Carrie then opens her eyes and runs at the Moblin, "GAH!!"

The Moblin heard Carrie's battle cry. As the Moblin turned around to face Carrie, she then thrusts her sword into it's chest. The Moblin froze for a moment and then faded into nothingness. Carrie then thrusts her sword back and sheathes it.

Link's eyes widened at the display. He smiles even more. He then walks up to Carrie, "Wow. That was impressive. Very good."

Carrie smiles, "Thank you, Link."

Navi bounces into view, "That was amazing, Guardian!"

Carrie nods, "Thanks."

Link then smiles, "Let's move on."

Link then gets out his sword and shield again. He turns the next corner and goes into a small passage. He then looks from left to right. Carrie comes in from behind with Navi. Link then runs and kills another Moblin with his sword. Carrie comes in, "Nice."

Link smiles at her. He then turns and goes to the left direction. He sees there wasn't another Moblin around the bend. He then runs and jumps into a small pool of water at the end of the passage. Carrie follows and jumps in with him. Link whispers, "Wait in here, okay?"

Carrie nods. Link then swims to the edge and sees another Moblin. Link waits until the Moblin's back was turned. The Moblin then turns his back. Link then climbs out and runs at it. He then slices it from behind. He made a small grunting sound when he hit the Moblin. After the Moblin faded, Link then runs back to Carrie. He then kneels and places his sheild down and sticks his hand out, "Okay..."

Carrie then grabs Link's hand. Link then pulls Carrie out of the pool. Both of them were now wet. Link then picks up his sheild and stands up. Carrie stood up as well. They look to see a pair of stone stairs. Carrie smiles, "We're almost there."

Link then runs to the stairs. Carrie follows, "Careful!"

Link then stops and sees another Moblin, only different. This one had a giant club instead of a spear. Navi flies up to the two, "A Club Moblin."

Link then says, "How are we gonna get through that?"

Carrie then says, "This one's mine."

Link's eyes widened, "Are you sure?"

Carrie nods without a word. She then steps up onto the final stair step. Link whispers, "Be careful."

Carrie nods, "I will...."

The Club Moblin then sees Carrie. He roars and began to bash his club over and over again, causing a big wave to come towards Carrie. She then began to run to the side, dodging it. She then draws the Dragon Sword out and begins to run towards the Club Moblin. It then began to bash it's club again towards Carrie on the side. She then ran to the otherside, once again dodging the Moblin's waves of destruction. Closer and closer she came. As the Club Moblin went to take it's final swing, Carrie then stabs her sword into its chest. It lets out a loud cry of pain. Carrie then roars, "GYAH!!"

She then slices the sword out from the Moblin's side. It then faded as Carrie sheathes her sword once again.

Link's eyes widened even more. He then runs up to Carrie, "Wow!! Way to go!!"

Link then puts his sword and sheild away. He smiles and then hugs Carrie, lifting her up in the air and spinning her. Carrie gasps and began to laugh. Carrie then wraps her arms around Link, hugging him back. Link then places her back on her feet. They both look at one another. Link smiles as Carrie smiled back. Carrie then says, "Come on.......we have a job to do."

Link nods, "Indeed we do."

Carrie then walks away from Link's embrace. Link then looks to the ground, wondering why he's been getting new feelings. Carrie walks up the remaining stairs, trying to hide her blush. Link then follows behind Carrie finally. They both reach the top of the stairs.

Link goes ahead of Carrie and pauses, looking down at a tree stump. Link's eyes deepen into saddness. Carrie then goes beside him and places a hand on his shoulder, knowing that Saria use to sit on that stump that Link stared down upon.

Just then, a swoop was heard behind them. Carrie and Link both turn to see a figure dressed in an outfit that was two shades of purple. The figure had tight sleeves and pants with matching boots. The figure also had bandages on their wrists and a few of their fingers. Over the figure's body suit was a ripped white toga that went up to their stomach. It had the same design as Carrie's gauntlets on it, the red lining of an eye. A white collar covered their face like a mask. Their blonde spikey bangs stuck out from their white bandage-like head wear. The figure also had red eyes that stood out.

Link's eyes widened, "Sheik...."

Sheik then walks up to them, "I see you have found the Guardian of Sages, Link."

Carrie's eyes widened when she looked upon Sheik. Carrie then stayed silent. Sheik then bows his head, "I am honoured to meet you, Guardian. I am Sheik."

Carrie nods, "I'm Carrie."

Sheik nods, "I am glad Link has found you."

Carrie smiles, "So am I."

Sheik nods and then says, "The flow of time is always cruel.....Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it.....A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days....In order to come back here again, play the Minuet of Forest."

Sheik then gets out a small gold harp. He starts to play a nice tune. It was pretty and soft. Carrie smiles as Sheik began to play the song Minuet of Forest. Sheik paused for a moment and then played it again.

Link then gets out his ocarina. Carrie sees, not knowing what to do. She then had a sudden urge to pull out the Zora Flute. So she did. Link and Carrie then close their eyes. As Link began to play his ocarina, Carrie began to play her flute. They both played back the exact notes Sheik played. Sheik then began to play with them with his harp.

Link and Carrie then play back the notes again. Sheik, Link, and Carrie's notes became one and faded as they all stopped playing. Link then smiles as he looks at his ocarina and then looks to Carrie.

Carrie's eyes widened when she looked down at her flute. Carrie never knew how to play the flute. She wondered how she was able to play. Sheik then says, "Link.......Carrie........I'll see you again....."

Sheik then backs up a few paces and throws a Deku Nut. Within the flash of the Deku Nut, Sheik was gone. Carrie's eyes widened. Link then looks to Carrie, "I didn't know you could play."

Carrie then looks to Link, "Neither did I."

Link sighs, "Let's go inside the Forest Temple."

Carrie nods, "Okay."

Link then looks up and see the Temple. It was made from white stone, nice and smooth. The stairs were broken or incomplete, Carrie couldn't tell. Link then looks at a tree to the temple. Carrie gasps, remembering something. She then runs to Link in a panic, "Link!! Please tell me you got the Hookshot!!!!"

Link's eyes widened, "How did you--?! Yes.....of course I did!"

Carrie sighs in relief, "Good....."

Link then shakes his head and looks up at the tree. He then looks to Carrie, "Hang on to me."

Carrie nods, "Okay."

She then goes right up to Link and wraps her arms around him. Link then places a hand on the small of her back and pulls her close against himself. He then gets out his Hookshot. It was a blue purple hookshot with a silver tip shaped like an arrow and a silver handle. He then holds onto Carrie tight as Carrie held onto Link tight. He then shoots the Hookshot at the tree. It then clamps itself into the branch and pulls them up. Link grunts, "Hi-ya!"

Carrie closes her eyes and gasps. Carrie and Link then land on their feet, right in front of the entrance to the Forest Temple. Link then puts his Hookshot away. He then shakes Carrie a little, who still had her eyes closed, "Hey. It's okay, Carrie. We are here now."

Carrie opens one eye and then both. Link finally lets Carrie go, "Let's go in."

Carrie nods, "Okay."

They both then run inside the Forest Temple. Once inside, Carrie looks around as she lets out a giant gasp, "Wow! It's exactly how I imagined it to be!"

Link looks around as well, "Quite a place to look upon....."

The place was filled with vines, grass, and stoned architecture. There were two trees standing on either side of the room. Carrie then remembered something. She then looks up to the left tree. She points up, "Link......there's a chest up there that contains a key."

Link looks, "How do you know?"

Carrie then said, "I just do...."

Link nods, "Alright......let's go get it."

As soon as Carrie and Link stepped forward, two wolf-like creatures rose from the ground and howled. Link quickly gets out his sword, "Wolfos!!"

As one went to attack Carrie, Link blocked it off with his sword. He grunts as he shoves it back. He then says, "Get the key! I'll hold them off!!"

Carrie gasps and nods, "Right."

She then looks around and sees vines on the right side of the room. She ran to them and began to climb them. Up and up she went. She felt a tad nervous. She takes a deep breath, whispering, "Don't look down......don't look down....."

Carrie looked down. Carrie gasps and closes her eyes tight, realizing how high she climbed. She then took a big swallow and looked up. She then continued to climb up the vines.

Link jumps back as the Wolfos slash at him. He then swings his sword, "Ha!!"

The Wolfos howl once again and run back and forth, circling their prey. As they dove at Link, he then blocks with his sheild, causing him to slide back, having his feet scrape against the ground. He grunts as he pulled his strength together and begins to push the Wolfos back. He then then swings his sword behind him. His sword began to glow energy around it, getting bigger and bigger the longer Link held it there. Link then let's down his sheild and spins around, "Gah!!"

Both Wolfos were vanquished by his Spin Attack. Link panted, catching his breath. He looks up, "C-Carrie?"

Carrie was at the top of the tree on the right side of the room. She looks down, "Link!!"

Link shouts, "You get the key yet?"

Carrie shoke her head, "Not yet.....give me a second."

Link shouts, "Okay!"

Carrie then looks ahead and sees a small chest perched up on the other tree. She then walks to the edge. She jumps over then the other tree's branch. She slips, "AH!!"

Link gasps and shouts, "Carrie!!!!"

Carrie then grabs on the branch as she fell. Link sighs in relief, "Are you okay?!"

Carrie closes her eyes, not wanting to look down, "I.....I think so....."

She then wraps her legs around then branch for extra grip. She then climbs herself over the branch and goes over to the ledge. She sighs, feeling terrified. She then sees the chest in front of her. She opens the chest and looks inside. There was a small silver key inside. She smiles and grabs it. She looks down to Link, "I got it!!"

Link smiles, "Bring it down!"

Carrie nods, "Okay...."

She then looks across to the other tree she just came from. She jumps over, only this time, she managed to keep her balance. She then jumps onto the vines and begins to climb down.

Link then goes over to the vines, watching Carrie climb down. Once she was within reach, Link grabs her waist and puts her down on her feet. Carrie turns and smiles, showing Link the key, "Let's do this thing."