Chapter 15: Deku Tree
Once the cable-car stopped, Zelda followed Professor Phosile and Tera out into a small cluster of wooden huts where the Kokiri people lived. Like the books Zelda read, they resembled small children with green-colored clothes and short hair. However, despite their childlike appearances they behaved themselves around the adults as they toured the huts and visited the shops around the area.
"This place is like a tourist trap," Professor Phosile grumbled. "I remember in the early days when it was just a quiet little forest village."
"But all the districts are like this, dear," Tera responded.
"I know, but just because they were artificially created doesn't mean the people in them have to give into selling themselves out to tourists for money."
"Well, how else are they supposed to make money? If Ganon hadn't cut off ties with Hyrule, there would be a lot more people."
"Yeah, and it was a lot worse when that was the case."
Tera scuffed and said to Zelda. "He may look young but he's terribly old-fashioned, preferring that nature be left alone when it goes against human progress."
"I suppose, but—
"What do you mean we can't go to Owlan Temple?" Cried a Hylian man in a striped suit. "I paid you good money to be taken to it!"
"I'm sorry, but no one is allowed near the temple according to the Deku Tree," said a red-haired male Kokiri wearing a pointy green hat.
"Such a disappointment," said the woman next to the Hylian man who wore a pink dress and white gloves. "First the Deku Swamp Tour, and now this! We seem to be having bad luck with these tours, Rich."
"It seems so, Prospera," the man said. "Let's get out of here."
As the crowd dispersed, Professor Phosile approached the Kokiri and asked, "Could you tell us why Owlan Temple is off-limits?"
"I'm not allowed to say," the Kokiri responded. "Ask the Deku Tree if you want to know."
"And where is this Deku Tree?"
"I'll take you to him," said another Kokiri, who was female with medium green hair and purple eyes. "My name is Sylvan."
"Nice to meet you, Sylvan," Professor Phosile said. "Now would you kindly lead the way?"
"Of course," Sylvan said and trotted through the opening of a wooden log with Phosile, Tera, and Zelda following.
On the other side lay a small maze which the four traversed with help from Zelda who used her Wind Parasol to keep the Deku Babas and Mad Scrubs from attacking by blowing them away with artificially generated gales. Though the Master Sword and Hylian Shield would've made better weapons, Zelda didn't regret not bringing them because they would've drawn too much attention to her. At the end of the maze lay a clearing and there stood a proud-looking tree with a face on it. A deep humming noise came from the tree as a section of the trunk below the face started to move like a mouth.
"Hello, Sylvan," the tree said. "I see you've brought visitors."
"Yes, Deku Tree," Sylvan answered. "They are Hylians who wish to speak to you about the Owlan Temple."
"The Owlan Temple?" The Deku Tree's eyebrows furrowed. "What is it you wish to know?"
"Why can't we go there?" Professor Phosile said stepping forward. "I'm an archaeologist, you see, and would like to explore it for some artifacts."
"The only artifact you'll find inside the Owlan Temple is a relic of terrible power that comes from a dark place where the light cannot touch."
"You mean the Fused Shadow fragment?" Zelda asked.
"Yes, child, it is the very thing that has corroded the temple and made it unsafe."
"How can you be sure of that?" Professor Phosile asked skeptically.
"I can sense its evil magic in the air, and I do not wish to endanger innocent lives. Though it may be just a fragment, the Fused Shadow corrupts any living thing and transforms it into a dangerous monster."
"So then all we have to do is remove the Fused Shadow fragment from whatever it's corrupted and the temple will be safe again, right?"
Everyone except the Deku Tree turned and saw a young blond-haired boy standing at the edge of the clearing with a Fairy flying around him.
"Link!" Zelda exclaimed and ran over to him. "How did you leave the Twili District?"
"It wasn't easy," Link explained gesturing to the Master Sword and Hylian Shield that were strapped to his back. "But I managed to carry the Master Sword in my teeth in wolf form to the pedestals Midna was talking about and charge it with enough light from the two Sols to return me to normal."
"What about Midna? Is she all right?"
"She's fine. I managed to stop Cia from attacking her on the way to the pedestals, and when I came back Midna had Cia pinned down."
"Did you have to fight any Clockwork Policemen?"
"A few, but they were no match for me even in wolf form."
"That's good, though I still wonder why you changed into a wolf while the Rail Riders became spirits and I wasn't affected by the Twilight Realm at all."
"Am I missing something?" Professor Phosile said approaching Zelda and Link. "Since when did you go to the Twilight Realm, Zelda, and who's this young chap?"
"Oh, this is Link," Zelda said gesturing. "Link, this is Professor Phosile. He's the archaeologist who discovered the Cave Mural."
Remembering the mural Impa and Lana mentioned, Link nodded and shook Professor Phosile's hand. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
"The pleasure's all mine," Professor Phosile responded. "Now what's this about going to the Twilight Realm?"
"We'll explain to you on the way to Owlan Temple," Zelda said and turned to face the Deku Tree. "If we're allowed to go, that is."
"If you think you can rid the temple of the Fused Shadow fragment within it, then go right ahead," the Deku Tree responded.
Professor Phosile blinked and then said, "Well, in that case, thank you very much."
After the professor made a slight bow, he and the others went back through the maze except for Sylvan who was still baffled.
"Why are you letting them go to the temple, Deku Tree?" Sylvan asked.
"Because that Hylian youth carries Evil's Bane with him, indicating that he is the chosen Hero of the Goddesses."
"Oh, I see," Sylvan replied thoughtfully before heading into the maze to catch up with the others.
To be continued…