A/N: A quick note about this story: In the game, it kind of gives the impression that the Waters of the Ocean King is like another dimension to the Great Sea. However, I think the Zelda franchise has plenty of alternative universes (Termina, Dark World, Twilight Realm, Silent Realm, Holodrum and Labrynna (are they? I'm not sure), Koholint Island, Lorule) that it doesn't need some parallel ocean universe too. And other oceans and lands are often referred to as other worlds, so that is what I'm making of these two oceans' relationship. They are on the same planet, just opposite sides of it. Make sense?

On a very unimportant note, as I was writing this, I was listening to Twilight Princess music. Then the Postman's theme song came on and I started doing this funky jig... Anyway, you can read the chapter now...

Chapter 4: Mercay Island

"Link…" a voice in his dream spoke. But all he could see was a bright light, surrounded by a black sky and swirling clouds…

The first time Link regained consciousness, he couldn't make out much. He was only aware of a tinkling noise and a high-pitched voice that seemed very far away. It kept shouting to him, "Hey! Wake up!" But the voice faded as he drifted off into oblivion again.

"Save me…" A figure faded into view, the bright light framing a girl's silhouette. The dark clouds kept swirling around her, trying to penetrate and snuff out the light she seemed to radiate…

The next thing he was conscious of was worried, male voices speaking over him, but he couldn't make out anything they were saying. He felt strong arms lift him into the air, before he passed out again.

"Link…" The girl was tan with sandy-blonde hair cascading around her shoulders and down to her waist. Her light continued to grow smaller and weaker, the dark clouds acting like a whirlpool, threatening to engulf and drown her within its depths…

Link remembered lying on something soft and something being dabbed on his forehead. That tinkling sound just above his head.

"Save me…" The girl looked straight at him, her sea blue eyes filled with fear and desperation. "Link…" Out of the dark clouds, a misty apparition emerged, wrapping around the light like claws. The light began to diminish in size as the darkness fed off of it. Then the girl faded. And the girl was gone…

Tetra…

When Link fully woke, the first thing he was aware of was his searing headache. His throat was dry and his tongue tasted like sand. He was on a soft bed, a pillow beneath his neck, and cotton sheets covering him from the waist down. The last time he had slept on a real bed was the last time he had been on Outset.

He blinked the sleep out of his eyes, trying to regain his focus. He found that he was in a simple, small room, occupied by naught but the bed he was on, a chair, and a shelf containing various jars of different colored liquids and preserves. There was a damp rag on his pillow, which he assumed had at one point been on his forehead.

Link sat up with difficulty, his muscles burning. He tried to remember what had happened, but it resulted in only more pain behind his eyes. He heard that tinkling noise again and looked up to see a small glowing ball fly into the room. It was a light shade of pink, almost white. He was taken back in surprise when it started to speak.

"Oh you're awake!" it chirped in a high-pitched, female voice. It flew over to him and stopped inches from his face. Inside the ball of light was actually a tiny girl, only about three inches tall. She was pretty, her long hair cascading down her body. Wings fluttered rapidly behind her.

A fairy.

"I'm Ciela!" the fairy said happily. She zoomed around his head once before stopping in front of him. She fluttered forward, putting a hand to his forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Before he could respond or ask anything, the fairy continued speaking in her excitable manner. "It's good to see you awake. When I found you on the beach, I thought you were done for. I went and got Grandpa, and he said you were going to be okay. Oh, I should go tell Grandpa that you're awake." She was about to leave again, but Link interrupted her.

"Wait," he said. His voice was hoarse and scratchy, and his throat hurt when he spoke. "Where am I?"

Ciela turned back to him. "Grandpa's house." That wasn't exactly what Link meant, but she continued without a moment's delay. "I don't think your voice is supposed to sound like that. Let me go get Grandpa and something for you eat."

She left, a trail of sparkles following after her. Link swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet touching the cold floor. He stood, his legs wobbling unsteadily beneath his weight, and steadied himself against the wall. He began with small, slow steps, making his way across the room to the open door. He heard voices up ahead as he made his way down the hall. One belonged to Ciela and the other was a new voice.

"But Grandpa_" Ciela was saying.

The new voice that, Link assumed, belonged to 'Grandpa' interrupted her. "We're done talking about it Ciela. I understand your desire, but many dangers are arising. It would not be wise, young one. In time, you will understand."

Link entered the room and was somewhat surprised to see that 'Grandpa' was not a fairy, but a human. He was old and frail, with a long, silver beard and mustache, bushy eyebrows, and hair tied on top of his head. He leaned upon a red staff, the top of it shaped like a giant conch shell.

They then noticed Link's entrance and turned to look at him. "Sorry," he said.

"Ah, hello, young man," 'Grandpa' greeted him. "How are you feeling?"

Link shrugged. "Alright, I guess."

"Why don't you sit down and we'll get you something to eat? You must be starving." Link realized how true this was, and he sat down at a nearby table as the old man disappeared into a different room. Ciela flew over to where Link sat and handed him a bottle of water that was much too big for her to carry without struggling.

Ciela sat on the ledge of the table and began swinging her legs as he downed the water and as she waited for 'Grandpa' to return. Without her fluttering around, Link was able to get a better look at her. She had silky, graceful wings about twice in length as her body.

She caught Link staring at her and raised an eyebrow at him. "I suppose you haven't met too many fairies, huh?"

"Oh, sorry," he said when he realized what he had been doing, and he looked away. "I have actually seen other fairies before. I've even met four Great Fairies and the Queen of Fairies."

"Really?!" Ciela burst. "What was she like? I've always wanted to meet her."

"Well," Link said, smiling at her enthusiasm. "She really just looked like an innocent, young girl. She didn't even have any wings. But she was very beautiful, and held this very pure and virtuous spirit… She took quite a liking for me, too." He chuckled, remembering her flirtatious ways, his bashful reactions to it, and the King of Red Lion's teasing afterwards.

Ciela was watching him intently, clinging to his every word.

"I've met fairies your size too, but they weren't bright like you," he recalled. "Mostly they just looked like tiny little girls with wings, smaller than yours. They were more colorful, and they carried little magic wands."

"Oh, I bet those were healing fairies," Ciela stated.

"Don't all fairies do that?" Link asked.

"No, there are lots of fairies: healing fairies, guardian fairies, magic fairies, nature fairies, Spirits, Great Fairies…"

"What kind are you?"

Link was shocked by how taken back she was by that question. She stood up and turned around, as if embarrassed. After a moment she spoke, "I don't know."

He was quiet as he watched her. She folded her arms across her chest in an insecure manner. "I lost my memory a while ago… I can't remember anything about my past. Grandpa had found me on the beach, lost and confused, and he took me in. He's really sweet, so you've got nothing to worry about."

The old man reappeared soon after, carrying a bowl in one hand, his staff in the other. He set the steaming bowl of stew in front of Link, who tried hard not to wolf it down too fast. The old man sat down slowly and Link watched him with concern. 'Grandpa' didn't seem particularly old, but his every movement looked as if it hurt him, like it was all he could do to hold himself together.

"Tell me, young man," he said. "What is your name?"

"Link."

"Link?" the old man mused to himself, raising his eyebrows in thought. He turned his attention back to Link. "I am Oshus."

"Sir," Link said, between mouthfuls of stew. "Where am I?"

"This is Mercay Island."

"Is that near or in the Great Sea?"

"The Great Sea? Goodness, no. The Great Sea is on the opposite side of the world."

"What?!" Link spluttered, coughing down his food. "That's not possible. We were only… Oh, Din. Tetra!" He stood up abruptly.

"Settle down, Link."

"But she's in danger_"

"Link, you must regain your strength, first. Rushing off in brash action won't help you. There is no way off of this island unless you have a boat."

Link reluctantly sat back down. He felt awful that while Tetra was somewhere out there, he was sitting around eating stew. "How long was I out?"

"Only two days," Oshus answered. "There is something unnatural about the way in which you appeared here, which reacted negatively with your spirit. It has resulted in you being unconsciousness for those couple days as well as your weakened state. I sense something evil at work."

"What do you mean, Grandpa?" Ciela asked.

"An evil wind is rising," Link muttered.

The waves crashed onto the beach, the palm trees swaying. Link stared at the far away horizon, the salty sea breeze spraying through his hair and the damp sand between his toes. Ciela fluttered next to him.

Oshus had told them there were a few things he needed to do and that he needed to rest, so Ciela had volunteered to take Link to the beach to get him some fresh air. She had shown him around the village first, introducing him to a few of the neighbors and explaining the general layout of the island, before they went to the beach.

"That's where I found you," she said, pointing just a little ways away. "But you wouldn't wake up, so I went and got Grandpa and this sailor guy to come help."

Link didn't respond as he walked down the beach. The Ghost Ship was somewhere out there. But more importantly, Tetra was out there somewhere. "So you come from the Great Sea, huh?" Ciela asked, following him. "What's it like?"

Link shrugged, his heart not in the conversation. "It's an ocean. Lots of islands. Not much else to say about it… What's this ocean?"

"The Waters of the Ocean King." She sighed, "I want to go see your world. Or just anywhere else. I've been stuck on this island, because Grandpa won't let me leave. I know he's just trying to protect me, but I really want to explore the seas. I've always wanted an adventure… Fighting monsters, escaping danger, discovering new lands, meeting new people, nothing but the oceans as far as the eye can see in any direction… It's all I've ever really wanted to do. I'd really like an adventure."

"At one time, I did too," Link said, quietly. He was impressed by her spirit though. She talked about it with so much passion. For one so small and pure, she was very courageous with big dreams. He couldn't help but think how similar they were. He turned to Ciela. "You said there were sailors here? Do you think I could catch a ride with one?"

"I don't know," Ciela answered truthfully. "Most of them cost a great deal amount of money, and many others don't intend to leave the island for a while… Why do you need to leave so soon anyway? What happened?"

"We ran into the Ghost Ship… It took Tetra."

Ciela gasped. "But they say no one ever escapes the Ghost Ship alive!"

"You know about the Ghost Ship?"

"No," Ciela admitted. "Not much. But Grandpa does. We can go ask him where it might be."

Link nodded. He followed her back up the beach, the sand soon giving way to grass. They passed by many other small houses and huts on their way back up the hill to Oshus's house. His house was positioned on a low cliff inward of the island, but it was still a fantastic view, making visible the endless ocean, the entire village, a long stretch of the beach, the wilderness on the posterior side of the island, and a portion of the port that wasn't hidden from view on the right side of the island.

They walked inside and found Oshus near the back of the front room. He stood there silently, his eyes closed and a look of concentration evident on his old features. Ciela took no thought of this as she flew over to him and began chiming around his head. "Grandpa, we need your help."

He opened his eyes slowly and looked at her. "What is it, young one?"

"We need you to tell us about the Ghost Ship."

"Why ever would you need to know about that?"

"Sir," Link spoke up. "My friend, Tetra, was taken by it. I need to go after it. Do you know where I might find it?"

"Link, I understand that you want to find the Ghost Ship. But you must not."

"But, Grandpa, what are you saying?!" Ciela asked, her voice filled with disbelief. "His friend was carried away!"

"Pure evil fills the sails of the Ghost Ship," Oshus explained. "It roams the seas in search of victims to capture… And no one has ever escaped from it. I'm afraid, if your friend was captured, she won't survive much longer, if she still is alive. It's best if you stay far away from that ship."

Link couldn't believe what he was hearing. Tetra couldn't be dead. "But, Oshus_"

"No," Oshus interrupted. "To seek out that ship is to seek out your doom."

"That's why we have to do something Grandpa!" Ciela protested.

"I'm sorry, Link." Oshus said. "But there's nothing you can do."

"Look," Link pleaded, his voice rising in desperation. "I don't care that the Ghost Ship is dangerous. I don't care that no one else has ever escaped it. I know Tetra's still alive and I need to find her. I'm going to go looking for it with or without your help. I'll die looking for her if I have to. But please, Oshus… Just tell me how to find it."

The room fell quiet. Oshus studied Link for a minute, thinking to himself. "Oh mercy…" he muttered finally. "You're not going to give up, are you?"

"No, sir," Link answered quietly.

"Young people," Oshus muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Very well… What do you wish to know?"

"Where is it?"

"Well I don't know that," Oshus told him. "However, there are some who might… On the isle born of volcanic strife, the Isle of Ember, there lives a fortune-teller by the name of Astrid. She sees far, so you should ask her if she can see where the Ghost Ship is."

"Do you know how I can get there? Ciela told me it can cost a lot to charter a boat, and I don't have my wallet."

"There is a port to the east of here," Oshus said. "You should be able to find a sailor by the name of Linebeck, who may be willing to help you."

"Linebeck?" Ciela asked, flying in front of Oshus. "You mean that guy who came to visit, Grandpa? I remember him! He came in here the other day asking about treasure."

"Yes, that was him."

"I'll go with Link and show him who he is," Ciela volunteered. "Is that alright, Grandpa?"

"Yes, I don't see why you can't go along," he agreed.

"Oh, thank you, Grandpa!" Ciela cried, enthusiastically. "I'll be right back, Link. Then we can go." She flew off down the hall.

"She's always been antsy, that one…" Oshus said, turning his attention back to Link. "Now, Link, lately there have been many monster sightings. This island has changed, as has so much of the world… I gave in to you and told you about Linebeck, but you must be careful out there… In fact…" He started walking away, disappearing down the hallway, as well. He came back soon after, Ciela following him. In his arms was a sheathed sword.

"I won't be in need of this, but I'm sure you will," Oshus said, handing Link the sword. "Take it with you… I sense you already know how to wield a blade."

Link held the sword reverently in his hands. He wrapped his hands around the handle and slowly unsheathed it. The two-edged sword glistened in the light. His eyes glided over the blade in awe. "It's been forever since I've held a sword like this."

He stepped back away from Oshus and Ciela. He swung the sword around a bit, getting a feel for its weight and balance, allowing the blade to swing in harmony with his movements. He lowered the sword as he stepped towards them again. "Thank you so much," Link said to Oshus.

"If you desire more practice," Oshus started. "You are welcome to use the logs out back."

"No," Link said, sheathing the blade again. "I need to find Linebeck. Let's go, Ciela."

"Bye, Grandpa!" Ciela called back, as they exited the house.

Oshus stared at the open doorway they had left through for a long space of time. "So you've finally appeared…" he spoke into the silence. "Hero of Winds."

The port and village portion of the island were connected by a wooden bridge. Unlike the last port that had all interconnecting stalls, this one consisted of different, spread-out buildings: shops, a milk bar, ship repairs, inns. Dozens of ships and sailboats were anchored and tied up along the long wooden docks, sailors walking along the pier with different wares and goods. Seagulls flew overhead, adding their caws to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore.

The two stopped at the edge of the water and scanned the assorted ships at the dock. "So, which one's Linebeck's?"

Ciela didn't answer immediately, flying back and forth to get a better view past people and around other ships. "Um, I'm not sure," she replied. "I know what Linebeck looks like, not his boat. But I don't see him. I hope he hasn't left yet. I guess we could go ask someone...?"

Link nodded his agreement. They walked onto the docks, the wooden platforms buoying by the waves underneath. They approach a middle-aged man who had just walked off of his ship.

"Excuse me," Link called to him.

The man turned. "Good day," he said cheerfully. He looked back at his vessel as he continued talking. "Ah, look at this remarkable ship! Such a proud beauty, she is. Time loses all meaning when I gaze upon her…"

"She is," Link agreed, but wasted no more time before asking that which he came here for. "I was wondering if you could help me, sir. I'm looking for a sailor named Linebeck. Do you know who he is?"

"Linebeck?!" the man exclaimed. "Why he's the famous treasure hunter! A fearless soul, I hear. He's seen the whole world, yet never seen defeat."

"Which one is his ship?"

The man pointed down the docks. "It's a red and white one down that way. That ship is a beauty."

Link thanked him before starting to walk away. "Wait, you," the man called to him. "If you're looking for Linebeck, he's not down there."

Link turned around. "You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?"

The man thought for a moment before saying, "The captain usually drops anchor at the milk bar, but I haven't seen him in days. Perhaps the bar owner knows where Linebeck has vanished to."

Link nodded his thanks, walking back towards land, Ciela following behind him.

The milk bar was a long and low, red building just at the edge of the docks. The two entered the tavern and were immediately greeted with the sour smell of milk and the loud laughter of drunken sailors. Several tables and stools were occupied, and Link scanned around the different faces, hoping to see one that might look like the captain they were looking for.

He then approached the bar owner, who was busy cleaning out a glass with a rag. "A new customer!" the bar owner exclaimed once he caught sight of Link. "Oh, hearty greetings! What can I get for you?"

"Actually, I'm just looking for Linebeck," Link told him. "You know him?"

"Sure, I know him! And that chair there knew him recently, too," he said, nodding in the direction of an empty stool.

"Do you know where he is?" Link was getting tired of asking that.

"Well, he just dashed out, yelling some nonsense about going off to the Temple of the Ocean King," the bar owner explained, setting the glass on a shelf behind him. He set the rag down before taking a seat in front of Link. "I tried to stop that crazy fellow. But off he went to the north side of our isle."

A different voice reached their conversation. "Did my ears hear that right?!" They turned to see an old man sitting behind them at a table. The man spoke in a worried tone. "He went to the Temple of the Ocean King?!"

Link was confused. "Is that bad?"

"Yes," the old man started. "It was built up on the hill in the honor of the Ocean King… Sadly, a curse was laid on the place that sucks the souls from all who enter. Now none dare step foot into the temple, so put it out of your mind and stay out of there!"

"Yes, steer clear" the bar tender agreed. "If Linebeck's gone there, he's probably got his eyes on some treasure. There have been rumors of great riches hidden in there, and Linebeck would do anything for treasure."

Sounds like Tetra, Link thought.

"But this is Linebeck we're talking about," the bar tender continued in an admiring tone. "No doubt the best treasure hunter in the seven seas will be able to escape that temple alive."

Link was growing more and more curious to meet this famous Linebeck guy. If he was as good as everyone made him sound, then he would be perfect for the adventure Link was about to embark on. Though, he wondered why Oshus thought Linebeck would be the one who would help Link out of all of the sailors here. It didn't make much sense as to why the treasure loving captain would agree to help him who was rupee-less.

Without another word to the bar owner or the old man, Link turned and left the milk bar. "Ciela, where's the path to the Temple of the Ocean King?" he asked, continuing to walk away at a quick pace.

"Link, are you sure we shouldn't just try to find someone else?" she asked. "I mean, that temple's cursed and no one comes back out alive."

"No," Link said. "I don't have money, and I can't waste any more time here. Besides, Oshus told me to find Linebeck."

"But the temple_"

"Trust me, Ciela. I've been through my fair share of temples."

"If you say so," she said, hesitantly.

"You don't have to come in the temple with me if you don't want to," Link assured her. "But I need to find Linebeck." Ciela nodded. She began guiding him up a path that she said would take him to a northern part of the island.

I need to get off this island, Link thought to himself as they climbed up the path. I need to get this new adventure started. I need to rescue Tetra.

I can't fail her, too. Not again.

A/N: So I think it's safe to say that I will be uploading every 2-3 weeks.

Thanks to all those who reviewed, favorited, or are following... or who even just read! Don't be shy about doing it some more! ;)

Alrighty... So a few fun facts about the first few chapters:

1. The cabbage guy in chapter 1 was inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender.

2. I got the Notorious Iron Jack Flint's name from one of those "What would your pirate name be?" quizzes on the internet. I didn't like the first name I got, so I just quickly skimmed through it a second time, giving random answers, and this is what I got.

3. The history behind Wutsisfais's name... So I'm pretty bad at coming up with names. It takes me a while. So as I was writing chapter 2 and got to that spot where I needed to add in his name, I didn't feel like just sitting there for half an hour waiting for an epiphany on his name. So I left in the blank "(What's his face)" and then I was like *lightbulb* ... Connecting the dots?... If not, actually try sounding out his name and it will all make sense... hopefully.

Anywho, I hope to see you all next time! Bye!