Link's POV
The entrance to the Forest Temple looms before us, nestled within the hollow of an ancient, enormous tree. Its gnarled roots form a natural archway, beckoning us into its depths. As we enter, we are greeted by the scent of decay mingling with the faint, musty smell of wood. Shadows dance across the walls, illuminated by the occasional shaft of sunlight filtering through cracks in the tree above.
We venture deeper until we find ourselves in a vast central chamber. The ceiling stretches high above, lost in the gloom, and there are several smaller doors with a large central door covered by a lock and chain. The walls are covered in climbing vines and thick webs, giving the place an eerie, abandoned feel. The faint sound of scuttling echoes from the shadows, hinting at the dangers that lurk within.
Dark and I exchange a glance, a silent understanding passing between us. This place will be a labyrinth of ancient traps and monstrous guardians; we should proceed cautiously.
We choose a door at random, stepping carefully into a narrow corridor. Almost immediately, we are greeted by a giant Skulltula, its legs spanning the width of the hallway. Dark's eyes gleam with fierce intensity as he draws his sword and charges forward, slashing through the creature with swift, brutal efficiency. The spider's body crumples to the ground, and Dark turns back to me, his eyes alight with the thrill of the first kill.
"Let's keep moving," he says, his voice steady. "There are bound to be more of these things."
We press on, encountering more Skulltulas, as well as other nightmarish creatures. Tile worms lurk beneath the floor tiles, bursting out to attack when we least expect it. Dark handles them with ruthless precision, his blade flashing in the dim light as he cuts them down. He is a sight to behold—terrifying, yet undeniably thrilling to watch.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" I ask, half-joking as I hack through one of the tile worms.
Dark grins, a fierce light in his eyes. "It's what I'm good at, hero. Plus, it's a bit of a stress relief."
At one point, we enter a chamber filled with Deku Babas, their purple flowers snapping viciously at us as we try to pass. I draw my sword, slashing through the stems until the air is full of the sickly sweet scent of their crushed petals.
As we fight our way through the temple, we stumble upon a small alcove containing an old chest. Inside is a map of the dungeon and a beautiful wooden bow. Its craftsmanship is exquisite, and as I hold it, memories of past lives and battles flash through my mind—the Hero's Bow.
"Look at this," I say, showing Dark the bow. "It's the Hero's Bow. I think I remember using it in a past life."
Dark raises an eyebrow. "Well, let's hope your aim is as good as your memory."
The next few chambers are filled with puzzles designed to test our ingenuity. We climb vines that snake up the walls, avoiding the webs and creatures that lurk in the shadows. In one room, we have to shoot eye symbols strategically placed around the chamber to unlock the next door. Each puzzle brings us closer together, our teamwork growing stronger with every challenge we overcome.
Finally, after navigating through a particularly treacherous corridor filled with hidden traps and more Skulltulas, we find a small key hidden in a chest.
With the key in hand, we make our way back to the central chamber and approach the large door at the far end of the chamber. The key fits perfectly into the lock, and the door swings open with a creak, revealing a vast, dimly lit room. At the center, hanging from the ceiling in a massive web, is the guardian of the temple—Queen Gohma.
Queen Gohma is a colossal spider, her body covered in thick, chitinous armor. Her eight legs are as thick as tree trunks, and her single, glaring eye glows with malevolent intelligence. She drops from the ceiling with a thud, shaking the ground and sending a chill down my spine.
"This is it," I say, notching an arrow in the Hero's Bow. "The final test of the Forest Temple."
Dark looks at me, eyes filled with determination. "You can do this, Link."
The battle is fierce. Queen Gohma moves with deadly speed, her legs crashing down on us like hammers. Poison drips from her fangs, and her webbing turns the ground into a deadly trap. We dodge, parry, and strike, each move a desperate bid for survival. The air is thick with tension, every heartbeat pounding in my ears.
Using the Hero's Bow, I aim for Queen Gohma's vulnerable eye. My arrow strikes true, causing the beast to recoil in pain. Dark takes the opportunity to get in a quick slash at one of her legs. She retaliates, missing Dark but managing to graze my sword arm with one of her poisonous fangs. Pain jolts through my body as I try not to think about the poison that is starting to spread. Dark is at my side in an instant, his sword cutting through one of her legs and forcing her to retreat.
"It will be okay, stay with me, Link," he says urgently. "We need to finish this quickly."
Fueled by a surge of determination, I press the attack, aiming for Queen Gohma's soft underbelly with the Master Sword. With a final, well-aimed strike, the creature collapses in defeat, letting out an agonized screech.
As Queen Gohma falls, the temple's power surges into the Master Sword, its blade glowing brighter than ever before. I can feel the energy pulsing through the sword, strengthening it and making it more formidable.
—
Dark's POV
The moment Queen Gohma collapses to the ground, defeated, the room falls into an eerie silence. The only sound is our heavy breathing, echoing off the stone walls of the Forest Temple. The monster's power surges into the Master Sword, causing the blade to glow brighter than ever. I watch as Link's eyes light up with triumph, but I also notice the blood dripping from his left arm.
"Link, you're hurt," I say, my voice tight with worry. "Let me take a look."
He waves me off, but I step closer, catching the wince of pain he can't hide. The gash on his arm where Gohma's fangs grazed him looks nasty, and panic flashes in his eyes as the poison starts to take hold.
"I'm fine," he insists, but his voice wavers.
"Sit down," I command, more forcefully this time. "I'm not asking."
Reluctantly, he nods and lowers himself to the ground, leaning against the cool stone wall. I kneel beside him and rummage through my pack, pulling out a small vial of red potion. Its contents shimmer in the dim light.
"Here," I uncork the bottle and hold it out to him. "Drink this."
Link takes the potion, his fingers brushing mine as he does. He looks up at me, his blue eyes filled with gratitude and something else—something that stirs a familiar ache in my chest. He drinks the potion in one long gulp, and I can see the immediate effect it has on him. The color returns to his cheeks, and his breathing steadies.
"Thank you, Dark," he says, his voice softer now. "I... I wouldn't have made it without you."
I shrug, trying to downplay my worry. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, hero. Besides, I need you in one piece if we're going to save Hyrule."
Link chuckles, but quickly grits his teeth as the pain in his arm flares up again. "You might have to carry me out of here," he jokes weakly.
I roll my eyes but can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "Oh, don't tempt me. I'd love to see the look on your face if I actually did."
As he finishes the potion, I carefully inspect the wound on his arm. The potion has done most of the work, but there's still a nasty gash that needs attention. I pull out some clean cloth from my pack and start bandaging the injury.
"This might sting a bit," I warn, gently pressing the cloth against the wound to clean it. Link hisses but stays still, his eyes fixed on mine. There's a tension between us—an unspoken connection that feels both familiar and foreign.
"You know," I say quietly as I wrap the bandage around his arm, "you really need to be more careful. I can't always be there to patch you up."
Link's lips curve into a faint smile. "But you're here now, and that's what matters."
I finish tying off the bandage and sit back, my eyes lingering on his face. "Yeah," I admit softly. "I'm here now."
For a moment, we just sit there, the weight of everything we've been through settling over us. The temple is quiet, the danger has passed, and for now, we're safe. Link leans back against the wall, his eyes closing as the healing potion takes effect, easing his pain and exhaustion.
"Rest for a bit," I suggest, my voice barely above a whisper. "We'll move out when you're ready."
Link nods, his breathing evening out as he slips into a light sleep. I sit beside him, keeping watch. My gaze shifts to the glowing Master Sword and then back to Link's face. Despite the darkness that constantly threatens to pull me under, in this moment, I feel a sense of peace and purpose.
As I keep vigil, my thoughts drift to our shared past, the memories that bind us together across lifetimes. The bond between us is undeniable, and even though it's confusing and sometimes overwhelming, it's also what gives me strength.
"Sleep well, hero," I murmured, my voice almost lost in the silence of the temple. "We've got a long road ahead, but we'll face it together."
And as the shadows flicker around us, I feel a glimmer of hope. Whatever lies ahead, I know that with Link by my side, we can overcome anything. Together, we will save Hyrule and forge a new destiny.