Chapter 5
"My name is Eldin, I am one of the light spirits of Hyrule... I guard these lands. O great hero chosen by the gods... The dark power you seek lies in the sacred grounds of the proud mountain dwellers. But already those grounds have been defiled, draped in shadow and seeded with evil. You must go to those sacred grounds and cleanse them." Eldin disappears.
"I think they just like the sound of their own voice." I said and Link laughs. We walk out of the spring as a door to a nearby hut opens as three children see us.
"Link?" a boy with blond hair said,
"Colin!" Link said as 2 young boys and a young girl run out of the hut knocking the boy Colin to the ground.
"Ha, ha! See, Beth?" The older boy with brown hair said, "I told you Link would save us!" The kids surround us. Colin jumps to his feet and run over.
"I'm so glad you're all safe." Link said, as a Shaman and a young girl walk out of the hut along with a man wearing a welding mask.
"Link, who's this?" Beth asked looking at me like I was a threat.
"This is Pura, she's come to help me." Link said as she huffs at me.
"You are the one from Ordon whom these children spoke of?" The shaman asked and Link nods. "I am Renado, Shaman of this town and this is my daughter, Luda."
"The beasts took us and left us to die... But Mr. Renado found us." Colin said,
"At first I couldn't believe they had come from so distant a place as the Ordona province..."Renado said,
"Yeah, I... we don't remember much. All of a sudden everyone was captured, and then... until now... it's been like..." Colin was trying to describe it,
"A nightmare." the youngest boy, Malo said,
"It was like a terrible dream where we couldn't wake up..." Colin said,
"I know the feeling..." I said,
"Nightmares are everywhere these days, it seems. This village has certainly seen its share of recent problems... there was an unexpected change in the mountain dwelling Goron tribe." Renado said, I've heard that name before, as an image of a rock like creature with crazy spiked hair and a beard pops into my head. "They long had been our friend but now they treat us as foes. They refuse entry to their mines... To think such a gentle and proud tribe could change so suddenly. You should take these kids home..." all of the kids look at us with sad expressions.
"I don't wana leave all these people just to save ourselves!" The other boy, Talo said.
"C'mon Link, can't you do something?" Beth said,
"We can stay here." Colin said,
"I really should take you all back..." He looks around, "Where's Ilia?"
"We don't know..." Colin said and Link frowns,
"We'll find her." I tried to comfort him,
"Yeah... Renado, I will talk to the Gorons, Please watch over the kids until we get back." Link said,
"Are you sure?" Renado asked,
"It's not safe to travel in such a large group right now, there are still several monsters." I added,
"Than perhaps for now, it's safer here."
"Let's go Pura." Link said as we leave the children with Renado,
"Wait, Renado, what's the name of this village?" I asked walking back over to him,
"It's called Kakariko village." He said as I'm filled with unknown emotion, "Are you alright child?" he asked as I notice that I'm crying.
"I... I'm fine..." I said running away to Link, wiping the tears away,
"You okay?" he asked looking concerned,
"I know this place... But I can't remember ... I just have this overwhelming felling of sadness." I said as the tears continue to flow, "Just give me a moment..." I said looking down and wiping the tears away again as Link grabs my hand, I look up at him confused.
"You can cry, I'll lead the way." Link said pulling me along, I smile and the sadness that was weighing down on me lifts at Link's gentle remark, we leave the village and get to a cliff side covered in netting. Link lets go of my hand and looks at the wall.
"Wait here, I'll make sure it's safe." he climbs up and reached the top no problem and the next thing I know he thrown from the wall and falls on the ground next to me.
"Link! Are you okay?" I asked checking him for injuries, like I somehow knew how... "Nothing seems broken... What happened?" I asked,
"Jerk wouldn't even talk to me." he said getting to his feet, "How can I stop a boulder of rock?" he asked,
"A weak spirit is no match for the might of the Gorons." I hear above us and see a strange rock like creature, similar to the one in envisioned, he looked down at us, "Do you understand Hylian? Than away with you!" he said disappearing from sight just as Renado walked up to us.
"The Gorons only recognize strength, a normal person could never persuade them... But... I do know one person who was able to best them and earn their trust... His name is Bo. You may know him as the mayor of your home town. Please go to him and while you are there let the parents know the children are safe. Of course, getting them back would be best... but we could not keep them safe from monsters on the road without a horse and cart." he said
"I'll let them know," Link said as we walk past him and head back into the village back the way we came. We pass by Eldin's spring and hear a loud noise behind us. We turn around to see a horse running wildly heading straight towards us.
"Epona!" Link calls out but the horse doesn't react, "Watch out!" Link pulls us out of the way as the horse runs past.
"Is that your horse?" I asked,
"She must be spooked, wait here!" he said running behind Epona and jumping up on her saddle and she instantly begins to buck and run around until Link gets a good grip of her reigns and she calms down.
"Are you alright?" I asked walking up to him slowly trying not to spook the horse.
"I'm fine, but be careful, Epona doesn't like strangers." he said as I look at her. And again that feeling of familiarity overwhelmed me. I walk up to her and she doesn't get spooked, she even allows me to pet her and at one moment she rubs her nose against my cheek.
"That tickles!" I laugh as Link looks at me in shock.
"I've never seen her do that..." Link said,
"I guess she likes me?" I said,
"We can get back a lot faster now that we have a horse." Midna said,
"She has a point, hop on." Link reaches out to me and helps me onto the saddle and I sit behind him.
"So, to Ordon?" I asked,
"Yeah," Link said and we head back into Faron woods then the same long rope bridge where Midna pulled us into the twilight the first time. We're just about to pass the Ordona spring when a golden wolf blocks our path.
"It's that ghost again," I said as we climb down from Epona and walk over to the Wolf as we're sent back to the sacred realm where the Hero's Shade waits for us.
"We meet again, you have a little more of the look of a hero than you did before. Shall we begin the next lesson?" he asked Link,
"Yes," Link said,
"Very well, my second skill is the shield attack! No matter how well tempered a blade is, if a foe is clad in armor and bears a shield, the sword will do it no harm. When facing such a foe, thrust your shield forward against the defenses of your enemy." Link pulls our sword and shield and they spar. He thrusts his shield forward which throes off the Hero's Shade back then Link strikes. "Excellent! Open a hole in your enemy's defenses and use your sword to strike without hesitation! The shield attack can also be used to repel an enemy's projectile attacks, Try it!" he said creating a ball of energy and throwing it at Link. He holds out his shield and thrusts it forward just as the ball of energy hits the shield and it reflects back at the Hero's Shade. "Perfect! When your enemy's assault you with projectiles. This is how you will defeat them with ease! You have learned the second of my hidden skills." he said, I wanted to ask more questions but...
"Why are you helping me?" Link asked
"All will be revealed in time... The path to becoming the true hero is a long one, but once you have grasped all of the hidden skills, you shall be worthy of walking it. You must persist on the lonely path of the sword to obtain true courage and earn the strength to conquer the great evils of the world. And remember, keep her safe." he said as we woke up net to Epona who was looking at us.
"I didn't get to ask any questions..." I said frustrated,
"Next time." Link said as we climb back up on Epona and head into Ordon village. We roam around looking for people as we're stopped by a bald man with a strange mustache that looks like tusks.
"Link? Whoa! It's really you!" he said as we climb down, "You're safe and sound! And your Clothes..." he looks at us up and down, "What happened to you lad?"
"It's a long story." Link said,
"C... come quick! Inside!" The man said and we follow him into the nearby house and Link explains what has happened, leaving out stuff about the twilight and Link turning into a beast.
"I see, so the young'ns are in Kakariko Village! Well, that's good... Renado's an old friend. If they are in his care than we can relax. And you saved this girl as well..."
"Yeah..." Link said,
"So... don't keep me waiting, lad! Tell me of my little girl! Ilia is with the rest of 'em right?" Link looks away from him. "Oh! I see... That ain't what I wanted to hear... Ah... but Link... I guess I need to think of all five of those poor kids, not just my own... They're all in danger. What I should be asking is how I can help out." he said,
"Actually, we need your help with the Gorons… "I said,
"What's that now? The Gorons of Death Mountain?" My heart throbbed at that name, so the more places we discover the more my memories might be triggered.
"Renado told us they respect you," Link said,
"I see... well it's true... I did defeat the Gorons in a contest of strength and earned their trust... with the help of a little secret... I can teach you the secret... but can you promise me that you absolutely, positively will not disclose it to anyone?" he asked us and we nod. "Good. Aright then. Absolutely No one! Come this way." He said as we follow him into the next room. "Link, you've heard of sumo wrestling' right? Gorons like to match strength in sumo contests. Luckily for you, the basics of sumo are the same as stopping charging goats... The goal is to push your opponent outside the arena to win. Come into the ring lad." Bo said as Link follows him up the ring and Bo removes his shirt.
"Um..." Link said
"You too, we must honor tradition." He said as Link takes off his tunic and his gloves and boots, he's pretty muscular for a seventeen year old...
"What?" Link looked at me embarrassed,
"I'm cheering for you," I smile as they get ready to sumo, Bo was a lot larger than Link, they start and Bo pushes Link off pretty quick. They keep practicing for a little over an hour. Until link finally pushes Bo off the ring.
"Good, you seem to have the basics down. Next time I won't go easy on you, lad" He said
"You were going easy?" Link said sounding tired.
"Fight me as if you were fighting one of the Gorons." He said climbing back up into the ring. And they continue for another hour and Link finally beats him.
"Not too shabby, lad! I'm sure you can take on the Gorons." He said as Link lies on the ground catching his breath.
"I'm just going to rest for a bit." Link said as Bo laughs, I walk up and sit next to him.
"You going to live?" I joked,
"Yeah, but fighting Gorons is going to be even more difficult." he said,
"I'll meet you two up front, come join me when you've changed." Bo said as I look at Link remembering he wasn't wearing a shirt and I start to feel embarrassed.
"Um... I'll wait outside..." I said standing up, Link holds out his hand and I help him to his feet.
"Okay, give me a minute," he said walking over to his clothes and I walk out of the room.
"It's Pura, right?" Bo said,
"Yes sir." I said,
"Where are you from?" he asked,
"Bright town." I look away,
"Never heard it..." he said,
"It's... far from here..." I said thinking back, I actually have no clue how far away from home I am...
"And the monsters brought you all the way here?" he asked,
"Yes... I'm still trying to figure out why." I said,
"Stay with Link, you two seem to get along well." he said,
"I will... And, I'll help Link find your daughter." I said and he smiles,
"It gives me hope to hear you say that." he said as Link walks in fully clothed. "You've gotten stronger in the short time you've been gone Link." he said to him,
"You think?" Link asked,
"Strong as you are, though, you can't hope to beat the Gorons wrestling with power alone. Those Gorons are made of rock! No, the secret to beating the Gorons..." He said walking over to an old chest and starts rummaging through it. Then he pulled out a pair of metal plated boots. "You can probably tell, these boots are made of iron, lad. Whoever wears 'em won't easily be pushed around... even by a Goron. Their magic makes them light until they are strapped to your feet. If you're fixing to fight a Goron, be sure to wear those boots. But let's be clear, you can't tell anyone about those boots! Especially Renado!"
"I understand, thanks again Bo," Link said as he hands Link the boots.
"You're welcome lad, now go, they need you." he said and we head out.
"I want to tell Colin's parent he's alright." Link said,
"Okay," I said as we ride over to another house and head inside, there's a blond woman who's pregnant sitting on a couch and she's shocked to see us.
"Link! I heard you were safe and sound. It relives me to see that you are safe and healthy." she said.
"It's good to see you Uli," Link said as he tells her about Colin.
"Oh! The children are all safe! How wonderful! I'm so glad I kept the faith... my thanks to you Link, from the bottom of my heart. Please, tell the others the news, everyone is worried." Uli said and we spent the rest of the day telling the rest of Ordon village that the children are safe.
"Let's head to my place, we can sleep there then head back to Kakariko village in the morning." he said as we head over to his house just outside of the village. His house was inside of a large tree, with two floors and a storage cellar below. Link sets up a bed for me and we get some sleep.
I slip into a dream but everything around me was dark. I feel something or someone grab my wrist tightly and I couldn't move or break free.
"You're mine, little bird." I hear a deep voice whisper in my ear from behind. The voice sent chills down my spine as I am overcome with fear. As I jump awake, my body begins to shake as I start to have an attack. I search for my grounding stone as the shock hits me, I haven't had my things since I woke up in this strange land. My chest tightens as it becomes hard to breathe. I try to stand to go outside for fresh air, but I trip on something in the dark and crash onto the floor.
"Pura? Are you alright?" Link turns on a lamp but I couldn't respond because I was hyperventilating. My body began to hurt as I could no longer move. Link runs over to me looking worried, "What's wrong? What's happening?" He asked but I was too far into the attack to explain what was happening.
"C... Can...t" I try to say but my words won't come out, Link kneels down next to me and holds me close.
"Take deep breaths, I got you." he said as I focus on his arms that were wrapped around me, I hold my breath then exhale. I slowly begin to get control of my breathing. After a while the weight lifts from my chest and the shaking finally stops.
"Rest, I'll stay by your side." Link said as he picks me up and carries me over to the bed and leans against the wall, I start lo loose consciousness and fall back asleep.