"Should we let him remember this? It may hinder his ability to fight." The man said to the thin, sitting figure in front of him, who he was not proud to call his master.

"Yes." The figure said, standing up. "He needs to know that he is up against something he cannot defeat. Even if it haunts him." The figure laughed eerily, and it echoed out into the darkness. "One more thing... Give him a mark. A symbol of our meeting. And don't let his little friend see it... At least until he does." His head rocked back in forth in delight. He stared down at the young boy with large, unblinking yellow eyes that did not belong to him. The smile that was too large for his face remained hidden behind a mask that took the shape of a heart.

"Yes, sir. I'll have him awaken now." The man bowed and rushed away, his cloak billowing behind him. The figure continued looking down upon the boy.

"Soon, young Link. Soon." A swoosh was heard as the figure disappeared into the night, his laughing echoing on for what seemed like forever.

Link woke up with a throbbing head and an annoying fairy companion jabbing at his leg in an attempt to get him up. He sat up slowly, swiped Navi off of his leg, and yawned loudly, stretching contently.

"That was a nice nap." Link said, his hands falling back to his side. He looked over at Navi, who looked back at him with relief and irritation. Dampe had gotten up first, and had gone back to his shack. The sun shined brightly down on them.

"Do you have any idea what happened?" Navi asked, looking around for a reason they had passed out so suddenly. Link looked around with her, finding nothing.

"No, I don't really remember-" Link stopped as a flood of memories came over him. Dampe and Navi falling to the ground, a sudden wave of darkness, and a voice in the void... And a powerful one, at that. He couldn't exactly remember...

Link stood up quickly. He looked down at Navi who flew up to him, asking if he was ready to go. He nodded his head silently, and Navi flew into his hat.

As Link walked through the village, people amongst the buildings looked at him curiously. Link figured it was the green he happened to be clothed in, and he continued to head toward the gates of Death Mountain.

Once he had arrived at the gates, the soldier opened his mouth, apparently to tell him to keep away from the mountain. The soldier, however, hesitated as he looked down at Link, apparently too confused to say anything.

"So, I have a not from the princess to get through here. If you don't mind letting me through, I'd appreciate it." Link said as he shoved the parchment toward to soldier, who continued looking at Link as if he were an alien. Link replied irritably.

"Okay, look, I really need to get through here. Saving the world and such, you wouldn't really understand. I have my pardon, now open the gate!" The guard took a quick look at the parchment in Link's hand, nodded, and the gate opened. Link stuffed the parchment away. "Thanks." He walked through the opened gate.

"Hey, Navi." Navi flew out of Link's hat, listening attentively. "Do you know what that guy's problem was? He looked at me like I was crazy." Navi simply fluttered her wings, as if to say "I don't know" and flew back into Link's hat. He shrugged, and continued his way up the mountain.

Monsters flew at him from all angles of the valley portion of the mountain Link was in. His reflexes sharp and his blade even sharper, Link was able to make it up to The city of Gorons with no more than a couple of scratches and bruises. He was, however, out of breath by the time he had reached the entrance of the small town. A Goron child rolled up to Link enthusiastically.

"Hello, mister! Welcome to the town of Gorons! It's a nice little town, but we have a serious problem." The Goron child stopped talking as his gaze reached Link's face. The child gave off a look of fear. He backed away slowly. "If you have any more, um... questions, speak to some of the older... members..." The Goron child rolled into a ball and dashed away quickly. Link continued looking in his direction, confused.

"What is everyone's problem? This didn't happen last time..." Navi flew out of his hat.

"Yeah, it is a bit odd. And what do you mean by 'last time'?"

"Nothing."

Link headed off toward the town. His curiosity at an all time high, he entered the caverns that the Gorons called their home. Link looked around, smiling to himself.

"It's been a while." He directed himself toward the closest Goron, which he guessed was an older one. He approached it, and the Goron looked at him questioningly.

"What's wrong with your face, kid?" Link looked at the Goron with irritation.

"Oh, excuse me. Not everyone can be as pretty as a LIVING ROCK." The Goron looked at Link with amusement.

"Find a mirror, kid, and you'll see what I'm talking about." The Goron rolled off, chuckling to himself. Link looked at him angrily, and set off toward the chambers of the Goron elder, whom he'd have to speak to for permission to enter his next challenge: Dodongo Cavern. His door was locked, but Link played Zelda's Lullaby, the official melody of theroy so family, and the door opened slowly. Link walked in.

"If you're a messenger from the royal family, say what you have to quick, or I'll crush you." The Goron chief, Darunia, stood at the back of his chamber, picking his teeth with a small rock toothpick and a larger-than-average silver hand mirror.

"I'm not a messenger. I'm here to help with your issue." Darunia looked up at Link, curiosity clearly showing, he surveyed Link closely, paying special attention to his face. He spoke up with slight amusement in his voice.

"Mind telling me what's wrong with your face, O gallant hero?" Link looked at Darunia with anger, stomping his foot.

"Do you really have to insult me right now? I happen to think I'm very attractive-" Darunia raised a beefy hand, and Link stopped talking. Darunia laughed and flipped the mirror to Link.

"Take a look."

Link let out a shout of surprise at the sight he saw. Half of his face appeared to be tainted with a pick black substance, and it appeared that it had crawled across his face slowly, stopping right before his nose. The eye that had been consumed by the taint had turned pure white, missing any signs of a pupil. Some of his hair had turned a light grey as well. Link reached a trembling hand to his face, feeling his cheek.

"Wh- what happened to me?" Darunia laughed as Link continued stroking his face.

"None the matter. So, you say you can help me?"

After a long conversation, a few rounds in Link's fairy ocarina, and a particularly disturbing dance scene, Link had arrived at the entrance that once blocked the entrance to Dodongo Cavern. Link had already destroyed the boulders that had previously stood in his way. He scratched at his face, the substance refusing to move.

"Okay, here we go." Link strode toward the cavern, gulping as he stopped right at the tunnel leading down. He stared inside. "Don't be nervous. You've done this before..." Link inhaled and exhaled deeply. He then said something he felt he'd said too many times.

"Okay, here we go. Again."