Sheik sprinted into the stone archway and rammed headlong into Link's back, making him stumble forward.
"What-!" exclaimed Sheik as he jumped back as Link fell face first to the ground. He summoned his daggers before spinning around, expecting a horde of monsters to be attacking them.
"Sheik! Calm down! There's nothing here!" Link exclaimed as he rolled over and sat up.
"I thought there would be but it's just some invisible wall. How boring. I was looking forward to some action," muttered Link as he glanced around at the rock tunnel.
"What! You came running in here looking for danger! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" shouted Sheik once he realized there was no one there but them.
"Hey, if I hadn't run in here, then we wouldn't know what was here to begin with. Saved us some time since we do have things to do," said Link as he finally picked himself up off the ground.
"Those things can't be done if you're dead! Would it kill you be a little more cautious?" grumbled Sheik as he sheathed his daggers.
"And what do you mean invisible wall-" but just when he said it, Sheik glanced behind Link and saw what looked like red glass blocking their path.
"I guess you see it now?" said Link before turning and walking up to where he thought the wall was and reached out to set his left hand against it.
"I ran right into it once I got here and then almost ran into it again when you ran into me. Thanks for rushing to my aid but it was unnecessary," said Link as he turned around to look at the Sheikah. Sheik growled and grabbed a hold of the front of Link's tunic and pulled him closer. He intended to trounce the now slightly fearful hero but they both suddenly froze when they heard a strange sound.
"Goro?"
Link lowered his head to see passed the arm he had thrown up to shield his face and stared at the Goron that was standing in front of them.
Sheik also was rather shocked but more so that yet another possible threat had escaped his notice. How did that Goron get there without either of them noticing?!
"Did I pass, goro?" asked the Goron. Link and Sheik continued to stare at him until Sheik finally snapped out of it.
"Who are you?" asked Sheik as he stepped in front of Link. His only experience with their race was not a very pleasant one. As far as he knew, they were immensely powerful and nearly indestructible and Link didn't seem to know this one.
"What do you mean, goro? Is this a test, too? I-I I don't what to say! No one said anything about verbal tests, goro!" exclaimed the Goron nervously.
"What are you talking about? What test?" asked Link. He didn't think this goron was hostile so he laughed as he threw an arm around his guide's shoulders.
"Obviously there's some misunderstanding going on here so let's start over. This here's Sheik, my partner in crime, and I'm Link. I'm pretty familiar with the…Goron's of…Death Mountain…" But Link stopped talking when the Goron suddenly had a look of utter shock on its face.
"Are you ok…?" muttered Link cautiously.
"They…they had the Great Hero himself meet me here to conclude my test, goro?! Oh my Goddess! Oh my Goddess! This is the most epic journey ever, goro!" exclaimed the Goron excitedly as it bounced around the narrow tunnel.
"No wonder it's so hard to pass this test, goro!" exclaimed the goron as it finally stopped to stand in front of them again.
"Wait, wait, wait! You got it all wrong! I'm not here on purpose! I just sorta stumbled in here," exclaimed Link as he put his hands up and tried to calm the overly excited Goron with gestures once he ran into the invisible wall that forbid him from going farther into the tunnel.
"Yeah right…" muttered Sheik before sighing and facing the Goron standing before him.
"Since you keep mentioning this test of yours then I assume that you have a purpose for being here. We do not I'm afraid. Someone," said Sheik sharply as he shot a glare at Link, "decided that he just wanted to find out how much effort it would take to drive his 'partner in crime' insane with his thirst for danger."
"Hey, if anything it's a thirst for action! What's so wrong with spicing up my life a little?! It's not like I'm running headlong into a horde of Bulblins or a group of Darknuts!" exclaimed Link as he stepped back and pointed a finger at Sheik. The Sheikah rolled his eyes.
"With action comes danger! And how did you know one of those things wouldn't be waiting for you on the other side of this warp point?" asked Sheik shortly.
"What do you mean? Why would there be a warp point in the Lost Woods that could possibly have hundreds of enemies waiting on the other side? Woody wouldn't endanger the kids like that," said Link shortly.
"I don't know, maybe because it's the 'Lost Woods'? No enemies would have found them to begin with! But wait…if you thought there wasn't anything exciting on this end of the warp point then why rush in at all?!" exclaimed Sheik.
"Why not?!" exclaimed Link angrily. Sheik was startled at the sudden hostility in Link now. He then noticed a tint of red around his brilliant green aura. Was that because of his shift in attitude…? His aura hadn't changed since he noticed it though.
"Because it's dangerous! You didn't know what was on the other side! If you must find something to take your stress out on or just to beat up at least make sure you can see it! At least then I'll know that some kind of monster isn't picking you out of its teeth!" exclaimed Sheik irritatingly. He shook his head and then crossed his arms. He figured it was pointless to argue with this man now. Especially since he noticed the tint of red around the heroes aura was getting brighter…
"Alright. Enough of this. We're just wasting time now so what is it you would like to do now that you have figured out what's here?" asked Sheik.
"I don't want to do anything," grumbled Link as he folded his arms defiantly. Sheik sighed impatiently.
"After all, it might be dangerous if we stay here in this tiny tunnel that won't let us move forward," said Link shortly. He then turned and stormed back the way they came.
"What? Where are you going!" exclaimed Sheik but the hero just continued to storm away until he vanished from sight. Link did not just walk away from him! What was the point of coming in here then?!
"Are you guys having a fight, goro? I always hated having fights with my friends…all you can do is forgive and forget because people make mistakes. But then again…it is kinda hard to do that nowadays. Especially when you're so near the Goron's Ruby. I don't remember the elders saying that it had all these sparks coming off it before, goro…" muttered the Goron thoughtfully.
Sheik was about to just turn and hunt down his stubborn partner because that was just plain rude! He had just been concerned when the hero ran into some unknown area without as much as a bat of an eyelash!
Then something caught his attention…
"Goron's Ruby? What is that?" asked Sheik. Link would be fine for now. He most likely wasn't up to talking to him now anyways.
"You don't know, goro? It's this shiny red stone that's been part of my races culture for…a long time. The elders were always talking about it but…it's been acting kinda weird lately. Or maybe it's just having a bad day, goro?" said the Goron thoughtfully. Sheik raised an eyebrow. How can a stone have a bad day?
"Ah, alright…my friend may be acting like a bit of an ass right now but he was interested in entering this place. May we come in if I bring him back?" asked Sheik. The Goron scratched the small tuft of hair on its head.
"I don't think it works like that, goro…" said the Goron uncertainly.
"What do you mean?" asked Sheik as he stepped closer to the red glass-like wall.
"Well, I think you-" but they both jumped back when the glass-like wall flared once Sheik had placed a hand against it.
The protective magic flared out and Sheik snatched his hand away with a hiss of pain when it suddenly felt like he was touching a hot stove. He was startled when the ground in front of him started to hiss and crack as smoke rose from where it touched the ward. His breathing quickened as the temperature started to rise and the glass-like wall started to solidify. The protective magic started to hit the surrounding walls around it, making them crack and collapse.
The Sheikah backed away and looked up in horror as the once peaceful glass-like wall suddenly became molten lava that was now flowing straight for him.
"Run!" shouted Sheik. He couldn't see the goron anymore but he hoped it could hear him. He then pivoted around and sprinted out of the heated tunnel.
Sheik burst out of the stone archway and immediately teleported into the tallest tree he saw but panicked when it felt like a web had sprung up to block his path. It effectively hindered his teleportation until he crashed into the canopy of the tree. He immediately grasped at whatever was in reach to stop him from falling and struggled to pull himself onto a wide branch. He crouched down and warily watched the stone archway below. He wondered if what had happened inside was the cause of the sudden disruption in his escape.
He hadn't seen Link anywhere and for once he was glad for that. Sheik wasn't stupid though. He certainly wouldn't stay in a tall wooden object when lava was approaching him but he really didn't have a choice at the moment. Up here was better than down there at the moment. At least as far as he was concerned. Once he was able to see the full flow of it, then he could quickly situate the damage before warning Woody.
So he waited…and waited…but nothing came.
Lava does not flow that slowly…
"What'cha waiting for?" asked a voice beside him suddenly. Sheik jumped and shouted out in surprise as he almost fell off the wide branch he had perched himself on but an arm shot out and caught him.
"Sorry about that! Didn't mean to startle you! But your stare was so intense that I couldn't help but be curious!" exclaimed Dude as he pulled Sheik back toward the branch. The Sheikah immediately backed away and flatten himself against the trunk of the tree.
"You-what…! How did you get up here?! I didn't hear so much as a ruffling leaf!" exclaimed Sheik. Dude laughed at the shocked expression in Sheik's eyes.
"Well, that's most likely because I didn't climb up it," said Dude cheerfully.
"What! So you can teleport! I thought as much…," muttered Sheik.
"Oh no, that takes too much effort for me. I, as the Kokiri say, am a lazy bum. So, I tend to cut corners sometimes. It's completely safe though, let me assure you! For both the user and those around him," said Dude before chuckling at the astonishment that shone within Sheik's eyes.
If he didn't teleport or climb then how in the world did he get up here…? And so silently!
"What are you doing here?" asked Sheik finally once he regained his baring.
"Oh! Right, I almost forgot!" exclaimed Dude. He reached behind himself and pulled his enormous bag in front of him. Sheik looked at the huge bag incredibility. Where did that come from? Dude hadn't been holding anything!
He then pulled out a bottle full of a familiar golden liquid and tossed it to Sheik.
"You'd best thank your lucky stars that I tripped over that thing or someone would have surely swiped it! That's some pretty valuable stuff you got there so you best take better care of it," said Dude as he waved a finger at Sheik.
Sheik caught it and looked down at the swirling golden liquid. How could he have been so careless…?
"Thank you, ah Dude," said Sheik. He hesitated over the name he had always thought of as slang.
"Oh, and I was just watching that archway because…um…this almost sounds crazy now. But I was watching it because originally I was chased out of it by lava…" muttered Sheik.
Dude gave him a look of surprise before turning to peer down at the stone archway below them.
"You mean out of there?" asked Dude as he pointed to the archway. Sheik nodded.
"Oh, that's not possible. Every portal in this forest will not allow anything dangerous to pass through it. I think it transports it somewhere else…I can't remember though…" said Dude as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Oh, that's perfectly fine. I'm just glad it can't get here. The damage that would have done…but I can't see a reason why the protective magic in that glass-like wall would react to me once I touched it when I had been standing not more than a few feet away from it for at least ten minutes…" muttered Sheik as he finally relaxed and moved until he was sitting on the branch he was perched on.
"That sounds like a ward reacting to a potential threat. The only ward that would be active in there is one erected by the Spiritual of Fire," said Dude as he stepped carefully over to the trunk of the tree and leaned against it.
"She's angrier then I thought…" muttered Dude as he peered down at the stone archway again. Sheik was confused on who Dude was referring to until he started to walk toward the trunk of the tree. So, he was about to offer to hold Dude's enormous bag as he went past but suddenly noticed that it was gone.
"Did your bag drop?" asked Sheik as he leaned forward to peer through the branches below him. Okay, his power of observation may have been a little off lately but he was sure that he would have caught the sound of that giant bag tumbling out of a tree…
"Oh no, I just put it away for now," said Dude as he picked an acorn from the branch above him and began twirling it between his fingers.
"Now! Though I admire your determination. I'm afraid that the shortcut to Goron City is not available for anyone but the Fire Sage at this point in time," said Dude. Sheik stopped the confused search for the missing bag once he noticed it wasn't on Dude's back and narrowed his eyes.
"How do you know that? How do you even know so much about this forest when all outsiders have gone mad when they had wandered in here?" asked Sheik suspiciously once he remembered a rumor about the curse of the Lost Woods.
"People don't go mad when they wander in here! I've been coming here for a long time and I'm just fine," said Dude as he rolled his eyes, "It's only when you get lost that you go mad and become a monster! All one has to do is know where he is going."
"How can you know where you're going if the only people that know this forest live inside it?" exclaimed Sheik. Dude chuckled as he tossed the acorn in the air and caught it with his other hand.
"I don't live here," replied Dude casually. Sheik ran a hand down his face in frustration.
He's impossibly frustrating! It's like dealing with a strange, loopy and mysterious version of Link!
Sheik looked back up as Dude continued to lean back against the trunk of the tree, completely oblivious to the glare the Sheikah was giving him. Sheik then looked around, confused when he noticed that Dude now had his arms up with his hands resting behind his head.
Where did that acorn go? I had looked away for maybe a few seconds!
The Sheikah just shook his head. Not even bothering to ask about the other man's spontaneously disappearing objects. He stood up and stretched his legs before turning sideways to glance at Dude.
"I really should go find Link before he gets himself into trouble. Hopefully he still isn't angry…that will make it that much harder to talk to him…," muttered Sheik as he turned to peer over the edge of the branch he was standing. He was deciding where to teleport before remembering what happened earlier so decided to just climb down.
"I'm sure it has worn off by now-oh, I'm sorry! I just keep startling you today don't I?" asked Dude as he chucked from his new perch on a branch just above Sheik.
The Sheikah pressed his hand against his heart as he straightened from his near death fall.
How did that man get from leaning casually against that tree trunk to perching on a branch conveniently right above him in less than a second…?!
"But as I was saying, it should have worn off by now. Just be more careful when you two approach the Spiritual Stone of Fire next time, alright?" asked Dude.
"The what?" Sheik asked cautiously.
"It is part of a three piece set as I like to call them. The other two are the Spiritual Stones of the Forest and Water. They will each affect the Hero of Twilight in different ways. Depending on which one he encounters. They will also influence people that are around them but as long as Link has them stashed away they shouldn't be a problem," said Dude before pointing at the archway below them.
"In there, you two encountered the Spiritual Stone of Fire or also known as the Goron's Ruby. Its source of power comes directly from the Goddess Din. Therefore, her legendary temper will influence him to the point of rage. It will start off small though. I severely suggest getting the Spiritual Stone of the Forest or the Kokiri's Emerald first before going after the Spiritual Stone of Fire. After all, you don't want an angry wolf after your blood," said Dude with a chuckle.
Sheik's mind was reeling with this new information. Something else to look for…?
"So, if Link is within the presence of the Spiritual Stone of Fire then it will influence him and slowly throw him into a rage? How will getting the other two help if they are going to influence him as well?" asked Sheik as he reached up to grasp a branch above him to steady himself.
Dude chuckled before tapping his right temple with his index finger.
"It's all up here. Our mind is the control center for everything we do. But just because something may influence its actions doesn't mean it's going to work any differently. If you're going up against something that magnifies angry thoughts, then why not already have something that influences happy thoughts? The two opposing emotions might just balance each other out," replied Dude. He straightened and gripped the branch that stood just to the right of him and swung down onto the wide branch that Sheik stood on.
"That...makes sense," grunted Sheik as he gripped the branch above him tighter to keep from getting bounced off the branch he was standing on as Dude landed on it.
"So, I'm assuming that you suggested obtaining the Spiritual Stone of the Forest because it influences happy thoughts then?" asked Sheik.
"Well, as a rule yes. The primary emotion that will be channeled through the Kokiri's Emerald, or the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, is joy. At times other emotions like excitement or mischief might be influenced as well. It really depends on what the hero is feeling at the time. The only time you will need to be overly cautious is when any of the Three become overwhelmed. Especially if Nayru falls," replied Dude bitterly. Sheik was curious since this was the first time he had heard such a harsh tone come from the normally deliriously happy man.
"That will hopefully not happen for a while though. Or perhaps not at all. That depends on how fast this new enemy can be defeated," said Dude as he glanced over at Sheik.
"That is our duty then? To defeat this new enemy? Do you know anything about him?" asked Sheik. Dude was silent for a moment and then glanced up toward the sky.
"It is the Hero of Twilight's duty to defeat this new enemy. It is your duty to guide him when he is lost. It isn't right to put this kind of pressure on the two of you. You both are so young while your enemy is older than the world itself. But destiny deems it so," said Dude softly. He turned to face the Sheikah again with a fierce look.
"You must help him succeed. These Spiritual Stones will become important later, once you both are ready to face the ageless monster that threatens drown the world in chaos. The stones will allow you both to reach where this monster dwells…but if Farore falls before you both are ready to face it. Then you must destroy the Spiritual Stone of the Forest," said Dude harshly. Sheik was startled as the man's strange but normal aura suddenly flared. He eyes flashed and Sheik felt a wave of magic surround the area but it suddenly vanished before Sheik could inspect it.
The Sheikah looked at the man sitting beside him like he's seen him for the first time. Not only was his aura overly powerful but he was able to hide it! He didn't think that was possible.
"Destroy it? If we did then how will we reach our main enemy if it is needed? Isn't it also cherished by the Kokiri? It seems unnecessary," asked Sheik hesitantly. Dude closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. Sheik shifted nervously next to him as he sat there with his head bowed but Dude finally raised his head.
"Yes…they do cherish it. But the stone is just a pretty object. Something like that can be replaced…Link cannot," said Dude softly. Sheik was about to say how offensive that would be toward the children that had that pretty object for their entire lives. But then the sounds around him seemed to deaden when he heard the last part of what he had said.
"What do you mean…?" asked Sheik hesitantly. Why would a stone connected to the Goddess of Life, the source of Link's power as a Great Hero, suddenly be a threat to him? He also had a fleeting thought of the fact that this was the first time Dude hadn't called Link by his title…
"If Farore falls…then the world will start to lose its vitality. That loss includes all the magic that enriches the soul and the energy that makes us alive. When you recall a joyful memory or experience a meaningful event. You send that experience to the Kokiri's Emerald and it sends it to Farore. She will infuse it with her rich soul and then send to the Kokiri's Emerald. It will then send it back to you full of her rich energy and that allows you to actually feel what it meant to you," said Dude. He spoke fondly and looked to the heavens as if he was addressing the Goddess of Life herself. Sheik felt he was intruding on a private moment but then Dude turned to smile at him.
"What comes to mind when you think of Link?" asked Dude. Sheik frowned. That was a loaded question.
"Several things I guess. He has a noble heart but intensely stubborn pride. He refuses to abandon those in need and will fight to the bitter end if that is what is needed from him. He never puts himself first because he's the kind of man that will give away his last rupee since he will always see someone that needs it more than he does," said Sheik and then looked to the side, "He is a courageous soul that will go to every length to make sure those he cares for feel safe and content. If I had to choose one thing to describe him…it would be warm,"
Sheik didn't know what made him open up to this man but it felt good to say it aloud. He sighed as he regarded Dude curiously.
"Why does this matter?" asked Sheik. Dude raised an eyebrow.
"Because the Spiritual Stone of the Forest is the only way those of the mortal realm can feel anything joyful. That is the primary purpose for it. Just because Farore will not be there to continue the cycle, it will not mean that it will suddenly become dormant. Can you even image how many live in the mortal realm? How many thoughts and emotions Farore must experience every passing second? The Spiritual Stones will operate even without the Goddesses telling them what to do. What will happen when Farore isn't here to receive what the Kokiri's Emerald has to offer? It's going to reach out to the only thing of her that is left. The Triforce of Courage, which is Link himself," said Dude. Sheik sighed frustratingly. He felt like a storm was approaching but the ship he was meant to sail kept revealing leaks in places he didn't even know existed.
"The sheer force of so many emotions, experiences and images will be more than any mortal can handle. The hero is unfortunately a mortal. Lucky, it won't happen immediately. The hero will feel it coming. Like the calm before the storm. I hope it doesn't come to this but if Farore does fall before you both are ready to face your new enemy then you must destroy the Spiritual Stone of the Forest or it will evenually drive the Hero of Twilight into insanity," said Dude. Sheik ran a hand down his face. All this damage…and that was only one of these mystical stones.
"What about…the other…Spiritual Stones?" asked Sheik hesitantly. He almost didn't want to know, but it was his job to keep Link safe from any possible threat and that certainly didn't exclude going insane.
"They will not affect him as long as he doesn't have anything that binds him to the other Goddesses. AN example would be that new spell he just got. Din's Fire I think it's called? That spell connects him with Din. That will connect him to the Spiritual Stone of Fire. That isn't something either of you need to worry about though. Even if he does have the spell on him when-if Din falls. The ones that need to worry about the spiritual stones reaching out for new vessels are the other Triforce holders," said Dude. He got up and stood silently for a moment to let Sheik process what he said. The Sheikah's mind was reeling with the new information. It was a vast reasonability that involved more than just saving the world. They had to restore it.
He looked up in shock when he realized what it meant if the Goddesses each fell before they were ready to face it. The stones would seek the other Triforce holders…that was Ganon and Zelda.
He didn't give a rat's ass what happened to Ganon but if both Link and Zelda were driven insane then what could he do? Could he even do anything?
"How do I prevent this?" asked Sheik cautiously. Dude frowned as he looked away.
"Defeat this enemy before it is strong enough to enter the mortal realm. The chances of that happening though…the shadow that this enemy hides in has been building strength for a long time. It origin is…complicated. That is why I'm telling you now that if Farore falls, then you need to destroy the Kokiri's Emerald. If it does come to that, then I will try to find another way for you two to reach this enemy," said Dude. Sheik didn't like the sound of that. It meant that there currently was no other way.
"The Three realize the danger these Spiritual Stones can be for those that live in the mortal realm. That is why they were given to those that they trusted would keep them safe and away from those that would use them for evil-doing. What is happening now, is that the stones are performing a sort of defensive mechanism. If a possible threat approaches the ward the Spiritual Stones have erected around themselves then the primary emotion they represent will magnify so much that it will become solid. Such as the presence of anger within Din filtered down into the Goron's Ruby and became lava. Hence, the reason you cannot enter the shortcut into Goron City at the moment. I imagine that the other Goddess's will take precautions as well since I'm sure this villain that is causing this mayhem will not stop with the downfall of just one of them," muttered Dude angrily. He glared off to the side but his emotional state seemed to disrupt his concentration. So, his powerful aura shone through again.
Sheik's eyes widened when the energy hit his senses. It was similar to the wild energy of the forest around him but there was something else…he reached out with his own magic but he flinched back when the divine energy it touched suddenly burned him as if he'd thrown himself into a wild fire. It then disappeared like it never existed to begin with. He traced the flow and could only stare in shock as it lead straight to Dude.
"W-who are you? Really? That kind of raw power is rare in people-" Sheik suddenly stopped talking once he realized what he just said. He had said something like that before...had sensed something like that before…
"What's wrong?" asked Dude worriedly as Sheik continued to stare in shock.
It's him…!
Sheik suddenly stumbled away from him until a loud snap made him jump before he felt the branch below him brake and start to fall from under him. He panicked as he began to fall through the air. He closed his eyes and focused on the thought of Link and then teleported away.
The Sheikah panicked even more when the familiar web sprung up to hinder his teleportation, making him spiral out of control. He was startled to feel someone wrap their arms around him and suddenly he was sprawled out on the grass beside someone else.
As soon as he recognized the long green cape, Sheik wrenched himself away from the loosened hold Dude had over him and jumped to his feet. He spun around to face him with a fierce look within his eyes. Dude sat up but remained sitting on the floor with a confused look on his face as Sheik backed away from him.
"What happened?" asked Dude.
"Don't play dumb! I felt it! That wave of your magic and how did you even catch me when I was still teleporting!" exclaimed Sheik angrily. He quickly glanced to his sides to confirm that he had available exits before glaring back at Dude when he finally rose from the ground.
"You think you could weasel your way in here and trick us? My Goddess, you almost did…"muttered Sheik.
"I don't understand-" but Dude suddenly gasped and twisted with inhuman speed to avoid the dagger that went sailing passed him when he had tried approaching Sheik. This surprised the Sheikah since that was almost point blank range.
"Stay away from me! You bastard! Did you really think I wouldn't recognize your magic?!" exclaimed Sheik as he summoned the fallen dagger back to him before quickly pulling out another one and held them ready to strike.
"Well, I would hope so. You've been using a potion that's been infused with it for a few days now," said Dude as he backed away but kept his hands up, showing he meant no harm, "but why the sudden hostility?"
"Enough with your games!" exclaimed Sheik before narrowing his eyes, "I'm ending this right now."
"I think there's some kind of misunderstanding here…" said Dude hesitantly.
Sheik ignored him though. He was on their turf now so the advantage was in his favor!
The Sheikah stressed his magic and gathered Woody's magic from around him but gasped as the old magic of the Lost Woods came with it. He's never handled this much power before…!
"Sheik?" asked Dude hesitantly as he watched the area around the Sheikah begin to twist and writhe as they grew around the Sheikah as if they had a life of their own.
"Sheik! Are trying to handle light magic? Don't! You're not-" but Dude's desperate plea was suddenly interrupted as the Sheikah growled and took a firm hold of the borrowed magic and hurled it at him.
Dude braced himself as the writhing vines suddenly shot in his direction but he simply lifted a hand and the vines paused and returned into the ground. He frowned and turned back to Sheik but then a look of utter surprise crossed his face when he noticed something behind the Sheikah.
Sheik glanced behind himself and noticed Link standing half way out of the hollowed log behind him. He was looking between the two of them in confusion. Dude was stunned into silence as the hero paused to look back at him suspiciously when he noticed how hostile his guide seemed to be toward him. Then he walked forward and approached Sheik.
Sheik cursed when it seemed that Dude could easily handle the sheer power thrown at him. It made sense though. If he was attacking a Goddess he needed to be able to hold his own against them. Now that Link had shown up he felt that they might have a chance at driving this demon out of the forest. He jumped when he suddenly heard a painful scream from behind him.
The Sheikah spun around to see Link fall to his knees and clutch his chest in pain. The hero began to tremble as he closed his eyes and seemed to be focusing every ounce of his willpower to stay silent.
Dude's face was ashen when Sheik spun back around to give him a lethal look but then snarled when he started to hurriedly stumble backward. Sheik immediately threw his own magic around Dude, using it to gather the old magic from the forest. He flinched as he felt a slight burning sensation in his hands as he raised them to direct the strains of magic to surround his enemy.
Sheik imagined hundreds of chains that linked together and before him, his magic began to morph into the cage he was creating within his mind. The old magic of the forest followed the flow from his own magic. He extended his hands forward but hissed in pain when he felt the burning sensation intensify as he tried to take control of the borrowed magic.
"Sheik! Please listen! It's not safe-!" but Dude tensed and dodged when the magical cage began to solidify and chains materialized within it to restrain him.
Dude brought his hand up again when he almost tumbled to the ground as one of the chains had attached itself to his leg, effectively stopping his movement. Sheik was stunned when the cage began to dissolve.
The Sheikah peered closer and narrowed his eyes once he saw that Dude was able to absorb the magic of the cage. So, whatever magic he used would be useless!
Sheik jumped and spun around when Link suddenly screamed in pain again. Tears were running down his face but they disappeared behind the hand he had covering his nose and mouth. Blood was running in-between his fingers and trialed down his neck.
The Sheikah spun back around and glared. Hurting Link is the last mistake he'll ever make.
Sheik then noticed that Dude wasn't even looking at him. He had his eyes lowered to the ground and then he closed them as his shoulders shook.
Was that bastard was laughing at them…?!
Then all of a sudden, Dude's hand clutched into a fist before dropping to his side. The magical cage immediately sprang into action. It quickly repaired its missing sections before thorny chains flew all around Dude and restrained him.
Sheik glanced back worriedly at Link as the magical cage made sure it's prisoner couldn't escape.
"Link…?" said Sheik but Link didn't seem to hear him. The hero struggled to stay upright and Sheik could tell he was close to losing consciousness.
He was in that much pain…
It was all Sheik could do to hold back his fury but it was satisfying to see the attacker helpless for once.
The thorny chains of the magical cage had wrapped around each of Dude's limbs, with his hands held high above him. His eyes were half closed, giving him an intimidating look as he gazed hard at Sheik. He was strangely quiet now.
The Sheikah was slightly taken back by it but then he remembered why the man was in that position to begin with.
"Bastard! Let's see you dodge this!" growled the Sheikah before he brought his arm back and let a dagger fly at Dude.
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The purple robed man grumbled as he bent down and gathered some of the pages of the many ruined books that now littered the floor of the huge library. He had wrapped a piece of his clothing around his wounded shoulder to stop the bleeding but it still hurt like no tomorrow…
This was peasants work! Or maybe a butler or whatever but certainly not something someone of his stature would be doing! And damn his shoulder hurt! Where is that bastard? He said he would heal it!
But of course he's taking his sweet time. That bloody fool. He didn't see him in here helping even though the escape of that meddlesome shadow walker was just as much his fault as it was his! Well, maybe he could have done a few things a little differently but whatever! He hated doing work! Almost as much as he hated pain!
He straightened and cursed before glancing around. No sign of anyone else either. What happened to the people that supposed to be helping him? Whatever, there were other things he could be doing right now. Like stop moving around so his shoulder won't hurt as much.
So, he strode away from the mess of pages and broken wood that covered the floor of that section of the library and walked toward the middle of it.
Now that he was able to get a good look at this place, he had to admit, it was pretty impressive.
Six levels towered above them. Each with a long row of bookshelves that curved along the wall until reaching a ladder that led to the next level. He noticed the bookshelves, at least the ones that weren't laying in shambles on the floor, were a polished dark cherry stain of wood. Strange elegant golden lettering was craved all along the surface of the wood.
As he passed them, he noticed that all the bookshelves had this golden lettering carved into them. He paused at one of them and traced the lettering with his fingertips.
The wording was all the same thing. Or at least the ones he'd seen so far. Good thing he knew the old tongue. Any sorcerer worth his salt should be able to speak it fluently. Especially since it was involved in the highest levels of arcane casting. That was one of the many useful things that his mentor had taught him…
He paused, shunned for a moment. It had been a long time since he had thought of that old man. He shook his head quickly. That was a long time ago. No need to rile himself up over something that ended before his first rein.
He peered closer at the writing on the bookshelves.
…Reservo panton a pone hic…preserve everything a pone here…a preservation spell that has no expiration time? The enchantment on each spell was pretty strong to. The only ones powerful enough to do that are as easy to find as a needle in an ocean…unless you're a child…
How did that man get a hold of them? And why in the world would they help someone like him anyway?! Darn it all…right when he figures something out about this guy, it just ends up creating more questions…
He continued on, now noticing the lime green carpets beneath him. He frowned at it. Not a color he would have chosen…but then again, he never did like any shade of green. It might involve that young hero with his wretched green tunic and annoying talking hat. Totally ruined the stylish attire that he had going on. But he will admit to nothing.
He finally reached the center of the huge library. He approached a dark cherry wood desk with many open books lying across its surface. It also had golden strands etched all along its sides but it was just fancy designs. A reoccurring theme in this place so far…the guy obviously has a thing for gold. He really couldn't say much about that though. He wasn't much different when it came to the color purple.
"You plotting in that brain again?" asked a snickering voice behind him. He spun around, about to say the prepared rant he had been building on for the last hour or so but the words just died in his mouth when he saw the person that most definitely was not the Hooded Man.
Standing before him with his wretched green tunic and hat was the smirking hero. The smaller man jumped away before jabbing a finger at him.
"You-! How did-! I will smite you right now! You irritating, insignificant cockroach that just won't die!" shouted the purple robed man. He paused when the hero just laughed at him. How dare he mock him!
"Really? You 'irritating, insignificant cockroach that just won't die'? That's the best insult I've heard in ages under that amount of stress. You're getting better Vivi," said the hero once he calmed down but continued to smirk.
"How dare-! Wait…the only one that calls me by that infernal nickname is…"
"Yeah, it's me," replied the hero. He reached up and pulled off the cap and then the dark blonde wig to reveal white hair that stuck up randomly in places. 'Vivi' peered closer and recognized the red eyes.
"What-! Artemis? What is wrong with you! Why would you sneak up on me dressed like that! Do you want to die!" exclaimed Vivi. Artemis rolled his eyes.
"Hey, it's not like I chose to wear this. Apparently master bastard just recently had a row with the real Hero of Twilight. He got so ticked that he purposefully summoned me to make me dress in this get up just so he could get a kick out of bossing me around while pretending that I'm him," said Artemis irritably. He then tossed the wig and hat into the desk.
"Lea should be on her way but she stopped by our spot first. Anyway though, I was sent to help you. So, let's get to work before I shrivel away into nothing," said Artemis before he noticed how his slightly shorter friend was holding his shoulder.
"You're hurt? I warned you to watch out for flying objects when you're practicing wind magic," said Artemis.
"That's not what happened! And I've been using magic at lot longer than you can even image! So, stuff it. I don't need you to tell me how to use my magic safely. And what is that sound?…Is that you? Oh, good grief," grumbled Vivi as he frowned when Artemis's belly gave a loud groan.
"Did that fat useless sack of bones not feed you again? The sun's about to set! How does that fat fool expect his servants to make him look good if their all mangy and sick from starvation?" asked Vivi irritably.
Artemis sighed and then rubbed his stomach as if that would help the hunger his belly was loudly reminding him about.
"Gee thanks. Mangy and sick, huh? Didn't think I looked that bad. Oh, it's fine! I know you didn't mean any harm," said Artemis as he laughed at the deflated look his shorter friend gave him.
"That weird man with the hood called me over from the hallway earlier and told me to help clean a mess that…what did he say…? 'A mess that overgrown child made'? I think that was it. Then he needed to speak to master bastard," said Artemis. He snickered at the scowl on the smaller man's face.
"Overgrown child…we'll see about that," growled Vivi. Then he sighed and looked to the side.
"I don't suppose you have…a potion for…well, you know. It's not that I need help or anything. I just don't want to rely on that fool for anything," muttered Vivi. Artemis tilted his head, confused.
"Well, if you need a potion then sure. I'm sure I've got something that can help but you got to tell me what is wrong first," said Artemis.
"What? Why can't you just give me a potion?" grumbled Vivi.
Artemis laughed softly. He was used to his shorter friend's habit of being vague when asking for help purely because he wasn't used to it.
"Come on Vivi. There's no potion out there that can cure everything…or if there is then I've never seen or heard of it. If you don't tell me what's wrong then I won't know what to give you," said Artemis.
Vivi scowled, but it slowly turned into a pout.
"Fine, whatever! I was stabbed in the shoulder," said Vivi. Artemis's eye's widened at the unexpected answer.
"Stabbed? Were you attacked? Let me see it!" exclaimed Artemis angrily. Vivi was puzzled as to why Artemis suddenly became so angry but banished the cloth around his wound. It was ruined anyway, so he might as well.
"Oh my Goddess! Who did this? Was it that weird man in the hood?" asked Artemis as he approached his shorter friend.
Vivi swatted at the hands that reached toward him.
"I don't need help! I mean-I do need help but wait, that's not what I meant-!" exclaimed Vivi but stopped when Artemis put his hand on his hip.
"Oh, stop bringing such a baby about this Vivi! Don't give me that look. And don't even start with your 'I'm too good for anyone's help' rubbish. If it bothers you that much then just think of it as your taking advantage of my kind heart, okay?" said Artemis casually.
Vivi could only just stand there stunned as Artemis went and carefully examined his wounded shoulder. Not too many people had the guts to say something like that him. At least those that weren't blackmailing him. But how many people would honestly try to convince someone to let them be helped and then turn around and use 'just think of it as your taking advantage of my kind heart' as an example?
"That attacker did a real number on you. Some Red Chu Jelly should fix that right up though," muttered Artemis before stepping back and narrowing his eyes, "Was it that weird man in the hood? I don't like him one bit. Humph, someone's getting poisoned later."
Vivi couldn't help but grin at the dark demeanor of his…friendly acquaintance. He wasn't his friend. He didn't have friends! Didn't have any need for them either! But, it was nice to have someone around that he could actually talk to instead of the normal monsters or shadows whose only form of communication it seemed was a series of hissing or strange savage sounds.
He had only met the kid a few months before the Twilight Incident. It seemed his own attitude was rubbing off on him. There was a time when the kid was so innocent that just mentioning the act of hurting someone would make him gawk in horror at him but now look at him! Casually talking about poisoning someone as if it was an everyday thing to him!
It brought up a strange feeling in him…a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. He guessed he just wasn't used to having someone genuinely become protective of him. He grinned when he remembered the day he started to like having the kid around.
He was sent in to dust the small library upstairs and Vivi was in the corner trying to practice his wind magic. The kid came strolling around the corner right when Vivi had propelled himself forward in between the bookshelves trying to land in the same spot he did the last time he did this. Of course the kid got in the way and they went crashing into a bookshelf once he rammed into him.
He expected the kid to freak out but he was amazed at Vivi's display of magic. Apparently people nowadays don't use it like they used to. A shame. Anyway, the kid stayed glued to his side the rest of the evening just watching him fly around the library. When the Hooded Man came back and saw the damage he had been furious but the kid covered for him. It stilled puzzled him why Artemis would protect someone he just met but it suited him just fine.
The day he felt a real connection with the kid is when he seemed to share the same sense of humor as him. Once Vivi heard that the Hero of Twilight was going through Hyrule trying to lift the Twilight he made a game out of imaging which way he would die. Eaten by a monster? Drowning in the lake? The kid threw him for a loop when he bet that the hero would be eaten by the strange bugs that glowed with divine light.
Firstly, it surprised him because the kid had been so innocent when they first met and now was playfully betting on someone actually getting killed by a twilit creature. Secondly, since those bugs were from the twilight realm, it meant that he had to be a shadow walker. Or Sheikah as they are called now. Normal people didn't even know that anything was wrong and he didn't think that the kid was chosen for any reason like the 'hero' was. So, logically he had to be a Sheikah.
He could sense that the kid had arcane talent of his own as well but hasn't had the right event to bring it out of him yet. He was looking forward to that. He personally was rooting for the kid to have a connection with wind like he did.
"No, it wasn't him. But you should still try poisoning the bastard. It would save me the trouble of doing it myself. The fool was actually with me when the shadow walker suddenly stole the flow of my power and used it to teleport himself here. Which was strange…that is advanced magic. He didn't seem to know what he was doing though. Anyway, then this big chase happened but he got away. That was totally that bastard's fault even though he blames me. How was I supposed to know he was going to steal the flow of my power? Whatever, I'll have my revenge soon!" exclaimed Vivi.
Artemis rolled his eyes, and was about to ask who this shadow walker was but suddenly they both heard shouting.
They swung around to see a girl running toward them, her long black hair swaying behind her.
"Artemis! Did you move our stuff?" asked the girl hurriedly once she reached them. Vivi rolled his eyes when he recognized the red eyes of this kid as well. Such a drama queen…
"Huh? No, I hadn't been in there since yesterday. Why what's wrong Lea?" asked Artemis worriedly.
"There gone! Everything! Except all that dust that keeps covering our place thanks to the wind magic that he keeps using near our spot!" exclaimed Lea angrily as she pointed a finger at Vivi.
"That hallway is the only spot that fool lets me practice my wind magic you little brat! How times do I have to tell you that?" exclaimed Vivi angrily. Artemis sighed before stepping in between the glaring pair.
"Alright settle down guys. Did you move our stuff Vivi?" asked Artemis.
"Why would I take something that is useless to me? And where would I put them anyway? Up my sleeve or in my socks?" growled Vivi.
"How would any of our things fit in your socks?" asked Lea confused. Vivi rolled his eyes.
"The same way they would in my sleeve! Good grief girl. One would think you would know that because of the kind of things your race has made," muttered Vivi as he scratched his chin thoughtfully. Lea gave him a death glare but suddenly a look of horror spread across her face.
"Oh, Goddess! If neither of you moved them then someone else found it! Oh, Goddess! What am I going to do? They know I have magic now!" exclaimed Lea, panicking.
Artemis quickly grabbed a hold of her shoulders and spun the panicking girl to face him.
"Lea, look at me. If anyone asks us, then we will tell them that we don't know anything about it. We've never been in this hallway until the weird man in the hood told us to come in here, okay? Don't worry, there's nothing that could prove us wrong in there," said Artemis firmly. Lea seemed to calm down but still shifted nervously.
"What about my tin box with all my flowers? You painted my name on it remember?" said Lea nervously.
"Just say it's not yours. We could past that off as a gift that someone may have planned to give you," said Artemis.
"And the drawings on the wall?" asked Lea hesitantly.
"Lea, we did those years ago. But if they ask then just deny it. There are weirdoes with obsessions everywhere so we could say it could be one of them," said Artemis. Lea took a deep breath before smiling up at Artemis.
"Thank goodness you're the smart type, Arty. What would I ever do without-"
"That is very touching and all that mushy rubbish but if you two want her magic to remain a secret then I suggest you leave now because I just sensed the Hooded Man warp in here," drawled Vivi.
Lea immediately began to panic again but Artemis put an arm around her shoulders and held her close before hurriedly turning to Vivi.
"I'll owe you big time but can you get her out of here, please? I'll do all the work in here!" pleaded Artemis quietly.
Vivi scowled. That was so much trouble. And it would be so entertaining to watch the reaction of that bastard once he realizes that someone like her was in this place.
Then he glanced at Artemis and sighed dramatically when he saw the desperate look within his red eyes. It would be so boring if the kid decided not to talk to him anymore so he guessed he could let it slide just this once…
"Fine," muttered Vivi before extending a hand lazily. Artemis nodded in thanks and Lea gave him a small smile but Vivi just rolled his eyes before grasping the small pale hand that hesitantly reached out to him. They both suddenly dispersed into nothing. Lea always thought it was so eerie but kind of comforting to do this with Vivi. It was like he jumped into this different place that was nothing but shades of grey. She thought it was comforting in this silent place even though she would just float suspended there until Vivi would drag them in the direct they needed to go.
Vivi materialized in the hallway right next to the locked door. Lea stepped away from him.
"Thank you," said Lea quietly.
"Yeah, whatever. I don't feel like explaining to the fool why I just took you out of the special library so act like a fart and blow away," drawled Vivi. He irritability wondered why she was suddenly giggling. He didn't say a joke so why was she laughing?
Lea giggled again before turning and…fell into the shadow? Did he just see that right? Well, he'd never seen that first hand before…
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The dagger seemed to fly in slow motion as it sailed through the air. Sheik immediately summoned another dagger to his hand and got ready to throw it but paused slightly when Dude didn't resist his restraints at all. He just turned his face away from the Sheikah.
His dagger passed through the bars of the magical cage just when someone suddenly shouted in surprise from somewhere to the left of him.
Sheik spun to his left to see Saria hurriedly raise her hands and vine's sprung up near the magical cage and one twisted up just in time to knock the dagger out of the air before it could impale itself into the helpless man restrained inside.
Dude's eyes snapped open when the magical cage began to collapse from all around him as the vines ripped it apart until the chains restraining him were broken, letting him drop to the floor.
Sheik turned back to see Dude struggle to his feet but then Saria suddenly dashed in front of him and run toward Dude. Sheik panicked and started to follow her, fearing for her safety. A weak voice from behind him made him pause and turn.
Link seemed to be trying to say something but it came out in rasps as he coughed up blood. It tore at his heart but he couldn't do anything for him now. He spun back around when he heard shouting and saw Saria confusingly gesturing that she didn't understand what Dude had said but once he locked eyes with Sheik, he pivoted around and bolted into the closest hollowed log.
Saria immediately came running over looking furious but then caught sight of Link.
"Oh! That's what he-Sheik use your magic! Now! Use it to flush the cursed light magic out of his system!" exclaimed Saria.
Sheik didn't spare a second thought. He ran over to the fallen hero's side and fell to his knees before gently laying Link down on his back.
The Sheikah placed his hands against the hero's chest and felt each struggling breath from Link but really had no idea what he was supposed to be doing…
"Just fill him with your magic. Make sure it is the dominant force within him before you start pushing the foreign magic out. Link won't be able survive an inner battle right now," said Saria hurriedly as she settled herself on Link's other side.
Sheik nodded before taking a deep breath. He stressed his magic and guided it until it flowed within Link, filling every place that gave little to no resistance to its presence.
Despite the fact that he was still rasping for breath and coughing up blood, Link didn't seem to be in as much pain as he was mere moments ago…
"Eyra," whispered Sheik. His magic seemed to ignite at the Sheikah command and began to invade every part within Link that gave the slightest bit of resistance. It soon forced the foreign magic back until finally forcing it out of the hero's body once it had nowhere to go.
Saria jerked back when something like gold vapor mixed with tiny red sparks suddenly rose from the hero's body. Link gasped in pain and arched his back but quickly dropped back down and lay motionless on the floor.
"He's fine. I thought it would be best if he rested so I put him in a deep trance," said Sheik softly. He ran his hand down his face before glancing up and finally noticing that the sun was just about to set.
This has been one hell of a day…