The longest chapter so far! How exciting. I hope you all enjoy my chapter and thanks to the people who've added it to their favorites. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something. I'll keep trying hard to keep those chapters coming!
Chapter Four
Things only got worse from then. The ship continued racing toward a seemingly unreachable target. Linebecks health had rapidly deteriorated.
"I had no idea the curse would come on so quickly," Tetra whispered to Link, looking at Linebeck who was sitting on a crate. His face, once tan, now ghostly pale, was resting on the rail of the ship.
"It doesn't look good," Link, agreed, casting a worried glance in the direction of the ailing captain, who sat up rubbed his head and looked at his two ship mates. Although the curse seemed to have taken its effect, Link could still see sarcasm in the eyes of the man.
"We have less time then I thought," the young pirate mumbled to Link as Linebeck laid his head back down on the rail heaving a great sigh. Looking out at the sea she continued, "its not much farther. I hope he can make it till then."
"Me too," Link agreed, leaving the ship in silence. No one spoke, each absorbed in his or her own thoughts. The only sound was the steady lap of the waves hitting against the ship as it sped forward. A steady fog rolled in and the crew looked out into the water, not wanting to see the dreaded ghost ship again, but was surprised by the sight of a large dark island. The fog seemed to be emanating from deep within the massive silhouette.
The three watched the island as it loomed into view, they could just make out the outline of a few shriveled plants and a big red archway over the mouth of a large cave. As they neared the shore the water changed to a murky gray color and the wind stopped as if warded away from the desolate island. All was silent, even the waves, which usually would have lapped upon the shore stopped, seemingly afraid to touch the shores of the cursed place. The three stood looking into the gaping cave but seeing only darkness.
"Listen," Tetra whispered leaning a pointed ear towards the archway, "can you hear that?" Carefully Linebeck stood and made his way to the railing using it to support himself, and leaned toward the island. Then just faintly they could make out the sound of moaning, as if someone deep inside was suffering endlessly.
"I didn't hear that the last time I came here," Linebeck said looking towards Tetra who nodded her head in agreement. "Great," the captain continued, "looks like our ghost buddy has some new friends," he said sarcastically, "Think you can handle it kid?" He asked turning to Link, who nodded.
"Ok," Tetra said turning to the two, "I'm going to have to help Linebeck through, so Link you're going to have to ward away anything that tries to attack us. If I'm correct King Satzars royal chamber should be in the center of the island. There's also bound to be some traps so stay on your toes. You two got it?" She turned to the two who both nodded. "Alright then, lets go," lowering the deck plank she motioned to Linebeck who, hesitantly, put his arm around her neck and allowed himself to be partly supported by her.
Link, running in front of the two got his sword out as they approached the caverns entrance. First looking in front of him into the deep dark abyss, he then looked behind him at his two friends who both nodded him forward. He turned back took a deep breath and took a step in. Suddenly darkness enveloped him. It was silent except for the occasional dipping of water coming from the ceiling; Link looked around him but couldn't see any sign of his shipmates.
"Hello?" he called out hesitantly, searching the vast darkness for any sign of life. "Linebeck? Tetra?" but there was no reply. Suddenly there was the sound of a footstep behind him; he spun around expecting to see his friends, but only facing more darkness. There was another footstep followed by a loud clang and then silence.
Link could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he looked into the darkness and saw in front of him a large pair or bright red eyes. He lifted his sword ready for the beast to attack, when, suddenly, the eyes disappeared. Turning around he searched behind, hearing only his beating heart. He turned quickly at the sound of another footstep. The person seemed to be walking towards him, but from which direction he couldn't tell.
Just as the person would have reached him the footsteps stopped and the abyss fell into silence again. Standing as still as he could Link closed his eyes, waiting for the thing to strike. A cold hand came down on his shoulder, jumping, he turned quickly slashing his sword in the direction his attacker.
"Gah! Kid what're you doing?" at the sound of his voice, the room was suddenly lit. Link could make out the figure of Linebeck, still being supported by Tetra, cringing away from the tip of Links sword, which aimed at his chest. Sighing in relief, Link replaced the sword into its sheath.
"Where were you guys? How did you find me?" He asked looking at the two, who shared the same confused look.
"Link," Tetra said looking at his friend as if he was mad, "we've been right behind you the whole time. You haven't left our sight."
"But, this whole room was pitch black, I called out to you and you didn't answer. I couldn't see anything." Linebeck and Tetra exchanged a glance then looked back at the boy.
"Kid, this room has been lit the whole time. You never called to us, we were right behind you. It must've been a mind trick, this place does it to you all the time," Linebeck said patting the, still dumbstruck looking boy on the head like a lost puppy, "Why the last time I came here…" Linebeck continued.
"No one cares," Tetra interrupted deflating the captains ego, "we don't have time to fool around. We have to get to the heart of the cave as fast as we can. The sooner we're out of here the better."
Link nodded, still shaking the dark memory out of his head and walked on down the ancient corridor. They walked in silence, each keeping to themselves, the only noise the scurrying of an occasional rat, and the ever so slight sound of moaning. The corridor was lined with lanterns, each lighting up a portion of the wall, which was covered in ancient Hylian hieroglyphics. They walked on when Link noticed a slight crack in one of the walls. He thought for a moment about using one of his bombs to see what was hidden behind it, but thought against it when he remembered how little time they had. Suddenly there was a loud rumbling and the ground seemed to shake beneath their feet.
"What's going on?" Link asked turning to the two, who pointed in front of them a look of terror in their eyes. Link turned back to see a large boulder coming directly at them. "Go back!" Link yelled running the opposite direction the boulder was coming from. They ran down the corridor looking for some escape when Link remembered the crack in the wall. "Over here!" he shouted to the two as he placed a bomb down by the wall.
"What are you doing?" Tetra asked looking as the giant rock rolled closer and closer to them, "we don't have time for this!"
"Just wait," Link said in anticipation for the bomb to explode. The boulder grew nearer, seemingly rolling faster as it closed in on them. Finally there was a loud bang, and in the midst of the dust; the three could see a room just beyond the opening the bomb had made. They threw themselves in just as the boulder rushed by the opening.
The three sighed in relief, standing up, when the wall Link had blown up started to collapse. Quickly running back further into the room they watched as their only way out paved itself up.
"Well, there goes our only way out." Linebeck said brushing some dirt off his blue coat. "There's no turning back now, let's go." They all turned to face the room they had been blocked into. The room was large and dimly lit, just in front of them there were some crumbling steps leading to a large pool of murky water. There was no way around the tar colored pool, and it seemed to stretch forever, but just barley they could see a faint light glowing, signifying the opposite end.
"Shall we?" Tetra sighed, "looking at the black water with disgust."
"There must be another way…" Linebeck said searching the room for an alternative route, but sighing as he came up with nothing.
"Lets go, suck it up. We'll be across before you know it." Tetra said taking a step forward giving him no choice but to go.
Together they waded across the waist level water. Peering down into the pool Link could see his reflection and that of the ceiling. He gasped when he looked above Linebecks head, and saw the same red eyes he had stared into earlier peering down at the three of them from a black shadow on the ceiling, cast by one of the lanterns hanging down.
"What is it?" Tetra asked the boy as he turned to look up at the figure. There was a loud splash behind them as the black creature dove into the water. The three looked at each other then started running toward the other side as fast as they could. Link ran to Linebecks other side, attempting to help them go faster. Above the splashing of their footsteps, they could here something behind them churning the water. Link looked behind to see a giant wave headed for them.
"We can't out run it!" Link shouted stopping, "brace yourselves!" he yelled as the wall of water came crashing down on them. Link could feel himself being tossed around by the water as if he were its doll. He opened his eyes but only saw swirling blackness before him. After what seemed like hours he surfaced, the water somehow deeper then it had been before the tidal wave. Several seconds later Link heard the sound of Tetra gasping for air. He saw her head and swam over to it. "Where's Linebeck?" Link asked looking down at the water, but seeing only his reflection.
"I couldn't keep a hold of him," the girl replied also looking into the deep water.
"He can't swim!" Link shouted diving under to see if he could feel the man, but coming up empty handed. "Can you feel him?"
"I'm over here," they heard his voice say from the side of the pit. "I'm fine." The two looked over, and saw the captain by the lantern light waving at them. Sighing the two quickly swam to the edge climbing out of the murky water. "I didn't know you two cared." Linebeck smirked, leaning against the lantern. "I thought the two of you would have been relieved at my disappearance."
"What?" Tetra cried out, putting her hands to her waists. "We're going through all this to save you aren't we? So why would we want you to die?"
"Well," he replied putting his hand to his chin and closing his eyes, "I'm sure you two are tired of me taking away from your alone time. I know what its like to be young and in love. I wouldn't want anyone hanging around with me if I was with the girl of my dreams." Smirking he opened one eye to look at the two red faced children staring at the floor.
"What did I tell you," Tetra said loosing her patience and tapping her foot. "We are friends. That's all. Honestly, I don't know why you are so persistent about it!"
Shrugging Linebeck continued, "You can't hide it from ol' Linebeck, I'm an expert on this kind of thing."
Before Tetra could yell at him some more Link interjected, "Come on guys, we don't have time to fight. We have to find the royal chamber. Or did you forget you were cursed?" Now refusing to look at each other Tetra and Linebeck nodded. Tetra began to walk on forcing Link to help Linebeck get through to the next room.
They entered the next room and a burst of fire greeted them from a large green statue of a sort of tiki, on a nearby wall. They looked into the room to see well over fifty of these statues lining the walls on each side.
"Now what?" Tetra said turning to face Link still refusing to look at Linebeck, who suddenly let out a gasp of pain, clutching his chest. The two kids immediately looked at the captain's palm, which as before, was now pulsing dark red. Link looked around the man, now holding himself up against a wall, at the statues looking for a way to get around them. He stuck his hand out in front of the statue, which spit fire after about a second. He stuck his hand out again, this time pulling it back almost immediately. The statue's eyes lit up, but no fire came out.
"Looks like we'll just have to run," Link said turning to the two after his tests. "You ready?" he asked the pair, Tetra finally looking at the captain who was still holding his chest.
"Of course," Linebeck said, almost falling over but regaining his balance and stepping forward, to leaning on Link, out of breath, but maintaining a sarcastic smirk, "but I'm not sure about Little Miss Pirate, she might be a little frightened."
"I've fought way more monsters then you, Old Man," She said, forgetting her worry for the sailor, "Lets go Link." Tetra fired back, taking a step back then, quickly running to the other side of the room. The statues shot fire one by one each failing to hit her by inches. When she reached the other side she turned, a smug smile on her face and shouted, "What's wrong? You too frightened?" Linebeck gulped pulling his collar away from his neck. He eyed the statues then looked at Link, who was raising an eyebrow at the man.
"What?" He said defensively at the boys look.
"Well, shall we go?" Link asked motioning for Linebeck to lean on him. He gulped again closed his eyes then put his arm around Link. Chuckling to himself Link said, "Don't worry, you can keep your eyes closed, just keep running." As soon as he finished his sentence Link took off down the corridor, each blast of fire just a second behind them. They stopped and Linebeck hesitantly opened an eye. The two kids looked the man smirking as he cleared his throat.
"I was just testing Link," He said straightening up to the best of his ability, "I wanted to make sure he could do it without my direction."
"Sure," Tetra said turning to advance to the next room. Link and Linebeck followed her, Linebeck pretending to hit the pirate behind her back, but quickly stopping to catch his breath, which seemed to be coming less and less. The next room was pitch black except one single lantern lighting up a stone tablet sticking out of the ground like a gravestone. "It says, you're trials are the order, Fire west, Water North, Earth east. Chose the path, or wander to your death." Tetra read off the tablet turning to her companions. "What do you think?"
"The trials are the order." Link started thinking out loud. "What trials?" he asked turning to the other two, who seemed it a state of deep thought.
"What has happened to us since we got here?" Tetra answered with another question.
"Well first there was that boulder so, I guess that would be earth. So first we go east?"
"Right," Linebeck continued, understanding Links logic "then there was that murky lake. Water, so second we go north."
"And finally the fire spitting statues. So last we go west." Tetra finished off. "Well, lets go. East, north, west. Hope this is right. We wouldn't want to wander to our deaths" she added, sarcastically as he three started to walk first turning to their left until they got to another room which the walked through straight ahead, then right at the next room. They walked for ages in the dark, the only light an occasional lantern that would light a portion of a crumbling wall, or another dark corridor.
"Are we there yet?" Linebeck whined looking at the two kids helping him along.
"Do you want us to leave you here?" Tetra warned, "We could do it. You wouldn't be able to catch up."
"Tch," Linebeck spat, which seemed to take to much effort and threw him into a coughing fit. Inhaling deeply he continued his sentence, "Link wouldn't do that; he's to good. His conscience wouldn't allow it, right?" He finished looking down at him.
"I dunno," Link, said, "I'd go with Tetra, and you are getting a little annoying." Link looked over at Tetra who was smiling over at him.
"Ah yes that's right, you two are madly in love, I forgot about that." Linebeck said matter-of-factly. Tetra was about to say something when they finally reached a large door. The three looked up at the red door, which bore the same black mark as the one on Linebecks hand.
"This must be it," Tetra said looking at the two, "you guys ready?" Nodding determinedly, they made there way up the staircase. Slowly pushing the door open into a dark room.