Another day of running errands for the witches had passed uneventfully. The fight in the spider house had gifted Sable with a day off from her training. However watching Veran's caravan depart the swamps for another year was always a sad sight. As far as Sable knew they were the only other Gomess in Termina still practising magic and as a result she felt a certain kinship with them. She did not know if they regarded her in the same way or perhaps Onox and Veran were being nice because she was a half blood. Presently, Sable could not make that differentiation.
The clock ticked away in the attic and chimed as it came to midnight. Sable lied down on her mattress with pencil and book in hand as she continued documenting all the things she had learnt. In her brief stay with Koume and Kotake she had been taught so many details about the Gomess and their culture. However Sable knew that in order to fully confirm what she had learnt she would need to travel to the remains of the Gomess stronghold, the Stone Towers. That journey could wait until she was firstly more experienced and secondly familiar with the workings of the curse on Ikana. It would be suicide to wander into the Eastern Valley unprepared.
A knock rattled at her window, then another like the pitter patter of rain. The window revealed a clear sky with no clouds in sight. A small stone then hit the glass once more, rousing Sable from her work. She looked out the window to see Iris standing on the riverbank. As quietly as she could Sable left the tourist hut to speak with her. "Hey Iris, do you feel better?"
"Yes, um…" Iris looked to her feet briefly "Can you come with me to the Woods of Mystery? I need to show you something." Her eyes looked to the fused shadow around Sable's neck "You're Midna's descendant right? Koume and Kotake keep something for you in the forest. Recently though I've been in charge of keeping it safe, in light of what happened last night… I think it's time I gave it to you."
They ventured back through the swamps to the Woods of Mystery. A fitting title given that no one in Termina knew how they came to be or why they possessed such disorientating qualities. Even over the past two years Sable had watched foolhardy adventurers attempt to explore it but never return once they entered. There was something so peculiar about these woods, it felt more like a labyrinth that shifted according to the whim of nature. Stone walls barred cheating by looking into the distance for help while inky darkness cloaked the path ahead in each tunnel carved from the inside of a tree.
Iris however seemed to know exactly where she was going. She led Sable through the darkened forest and quietly past the sleeping monsters. Iris tossed a fine powder from the satchel tied around her. Fine particles of a purple dust dissipated into vapour. The only explanation she offered was "To keep us safe."
"So Iris…" whispered Sable
She replied quietly "Yes?"
"How come you don't say 'peep' like most Dekus?"
"Maybe because I grew up around Mistress Kotake, I'm used to talking like a Terminan."
"No offence but I doubt Koume and Kotake are Terminan."
"Then again, neither are you."
"Point taken," Sable narrowed her eyes "How did you end up living with the witches anyway?"
Iris calmly answered "I'm not sure if I'm ready to share that story with you. Please don't be offended."
Sable smiled back "It's alright, I get it, you don't like blindly trusting people. Nothing wrong with that, people can be jerks for the most part."
Iris paused momentarily, glancing back at Sable with confused eyes. "No one has ever said something like that to me before… they… they just call me anti-social."
Sable cupped her chin "I'd call you painfully shy, not anti-social. But you'll maybe get over it when you're older, I mean you're around my age aren't you? So you have plenty of time to learn to be comfortable with yourself."
The Deku titled her head "You're a very strange person, why are you so calm about this?"
"I was… well, not an outcast, just… treated a little differently because of the way I look." Sable nervously admitted "It bothered me a lot when I was younger, but I learnt that there are so many things you can do with your life. So rather than feel sorry for myself, you just have to find a more productive use of your time." She sighed, realising that she had just spilled more details about herself than intended "What is it that you wanted to give me anyway?"
"The Forest Fox." Iris did not turn back as she kept walking through the forest.
"Wait, what?" Sable shook her head "How can you just give it to me?"
"You'll see."
The moon passed overhead to mark the passage of time while they meandered through the woods. The plants appearing more ancient as Iris led Sable into the deepest reaches of the forest. They finally came to a clearing riddled with vines and roots. The largest deku flowers Sable had ever seen were in bloom. A small pond of crystal clear water was concealed beneath the petals. Iris gestured to it and nodded to Sable.
Unsure of what was to come, Sable took a hesitant step forward while her hand hovered over the hilt of her sword. Emerald light shone throughout the glade to materialise into a figure. The light receded to reveal a green fox with dark stripes running along its streamlined body. Its legs and paws were similar to an insect rather than a fox though with hardened exoskeleton beneath the bristles of hair. Hidden within its tail was a large stinger, much like a scorpion. Ragged fur bristled up like thorns across its skin, a strange star shaped mark was branded into its forehead. It paced around Sable, eyeing her up with its bright green eyes. Slit pupils constricted and dilated as the voice of a young man spoke "A child of the Gomess, a descendant of Midna, yes?"
Sable nervously waved to the creature "Hey there… um… Mr fox? At least I think you're a fox… or maybe a bug?"
"I witnessed your act of courage in the Fearful Spider House through Iris' soul. You fought very well and cooperated with your friends. I have also seen your diligence in perfecting your craft and attaining wisdom over your brief stay here. It's quite admirable."
"Thankyou but I still have a lot to learn."
"True, you are rough around the edges, but I see a potential in you. I would like to contribute my power to yours so that you may become stronger."
"So are we supposed to fight now?"
"I'm afraid not, I am merely a ghost. I died centuries ago. However, I was able to trap my soul in my corporeal body. Koume and Kotake guarded it from falling into the wrong hands and Iris continued as my guardian. But now, I can finally sleep as I give my powers to you."
"But why? What is so special about me? I can't even shape shift yet."
"In time you will, and when that happens I'll be there to help you." said the ghost before it faded away.
Iris approached the pond and reached down into the water. The pond was made from Kotake's ice magic so it was permanently cold to preserve the precious treasure. She turned and was carrying the body the fox's ghost had spoken of. A stillborn fox, so tiny and delicate, was curled up in a frozen amniotic sack. "Sable, here. Take this body to the Great Fairy of Woodfall."
Sable took the body delicately finding that it fit in her cupped hands perfectly. She muttered "But the ghost… it seemed so old"
"The body may have died but the spirit lived on. Now he can finally be at peace, you should feel proud, you earned the respect of a legendary beast."
"Thankyou Iris… I know this is a big deal for you."
"It's alright, consider it repayment for saving my life."
Sable bowed to Iris then carefully placed the frozen fox into her satchel. Passage through any of the wooden tunnels spirited her back to Kotake's glade. In the dead of night she ventured back through the swamp towards Woodfall.
Upon reaching the outskirts of the Deku Palace, Sable spied the various walkways in the side of the ancient mountain. Overgrowth of vines across the stone ridges provided ample ways to venture upwards without the aid of a Deku flower. The ground was coated in an emerald moss as Sable carefully leapt over a gap in the path. She pressed herself against the wall and balanced on the ledge, getting soaked by a waterfall in the process. A stone monument with notes carved into its surface passed her as she entered the framed opening into Woodfall's crater.
The hollowed out crater was a relic of the monstrous volcano that once stood in the south. Legends told that the fire died out by the will of Southern Giant who then claimed the land for itself. Under its protection the rains returned to the scorched earth and soon the verdant swamps grew. Now Woodfall stood as one the few sanctuaries left in Termina where nature was in a perfect tranquil balance. A simple angular temple remained in its centre surrounded by the unblemished water that nourished all the swamps.
Wooden platforms were woven around the water and between the lilies and ancient trees that had grown. These walkways were built by Dekus so they could travel to the Woodfall Temple with ease. If Sable's research was correct then they often went on pilgrimages to this sacred site, not only to worship the Southern Giant but to also appease its shadow, Odolwa. Her path took her to a grand pedestal rising amongst the nature marked by the royal Deku crest. She let out a sigh "So close… so close…" as she eyed the temple nearby and kept walking.
Koume and Kotake had told her that the Great Fairy dwelled in a cavern just past the Deku crest. From surveying the surroundings, she saw the cave in question at the opposite edge of Woodfall. Without hesitation, Sable travelled towards it while bathing in the calm silence of the night. The melody of constantly running water and the watchful eye of the moon overhead, she made it to the cave opening. Only she found it very high above her and with no real way to reach it. A grappling hook was thrown upwards and met its mark as it dug into the stone directly above. Ensuring the grip was strong, Sable began to scale the wall and finally entered the lair of the Great Fairy.
The wall of rock thinned out to polished white tiles then darkness. Rain sparkling with pink light fell all around her and water pooled around the path she walked. They shoved away the darkness to frame an elegantly structured fountain. The shallow disc of water rimmed with white stone rippled despite the lack of a breeze in the chamber.
A feminine laugh howled in the cavern making Sable cringe with fear. The water of the fountain danced as a celestial form solidified from the fluid. It was a beautiful woman with her body wrapped in vines and leaves. Her hair was bright pink and floated around her form. Her bright pink eyes looked down upon Sable and with a smile she said "Welcome Gomess child."
"How did you know…" muttered Sable as she recomposed herself
"About you? I'm very familiar with your kin. I am the Great Fairy of Woodfall."
Sable retrieved the remains of the Forest Fox from her satchel, she presented it by raising it towards the fairy "I need help with binding this soul to mine. Will you help me?"
The fairy laughed again as opened her outstretched arms to Sable. Pink light danced around both of them as Sable felt light as a feather. Her body levitating as the stillborn fox finally opened its eyes.
The Woods of Mystery were bathed in emerald light as they swirled into existence. Sable felt her feet touch the ground again yet could not feel the wind or even hear the rustling of the leaves. The time locked forest rose around her like an audience to watch the grand spectacle unfold. The Forest Fox appeared once more, appearing more ethereal than corporeal. The beast bowed to her and she in turn bowed back.
The fox spoke to her "When you need me, I will always answer you call."
"Must I do this reaping?" Sable nervously enquired "It feels rather… monstrous."
"Not at all, you have given me a chance to rest as my spirit has finally found a place in life. I beg of you, child of the Gomess, take my soul so I can sleep."
Sable raised a hand, her arm enveloping in darkness as it stretched out with swirling tendrils. They lashed out in an instant, wrapping around the fox and clawing at its form. She finally grasped at what she sought, it felt like a hard gemstone. With all her might she ripped out an emerald star of light, the darkness consuming it and returning to Sable's form. The shadows faded away in specks of black from her arm to reveal its normal state. The ghost of the fox faded into nothing with a shrill howl.
She gazed at her hands, seeing a pulse of green light crawl over her skin to the beat of her heart. The light faded as the Woods of Mystery sank into darkness.
The scenery rose around her as the Fairy Fountain came into view. Sable was standing before the fountain once more in the audience of the Great Fairy. The stillborn fox was gone from her hands and there was strange sensation in her mind. It was not pain though, it just felt like knowledge had been revealed. She could sense the swamps in all its intricacies now and feel the presence of trees like they were sentient beings. "What… what's happened?"
"You witnessed the true form of the beast's soul. It is now part of you and will willingly accept you as a master," informed the fairy, she floated overhead with a calm demeanour "Surely you can feel its mind meld into yours?"
Sable nodded thoughtfully "But how do I shape shift?"
"When the time is right you will know what to do. Now go to the North and seek out the Great Fairy of Snowhead. She will help you claim the next beast soul."
With another howling cackle, the Great Fairy danced back into the water. Sable remained frozen the spot for a few moments, her mind reeling from what had just happened. A cautious inspection of her arms revealed that the light had disappeared and her body appeared to be free of any injuries. Doubt vanished from her mind as she left the fountain and returned to the swamp. The waters of Woodfall were bathed in the light of dawn.