The Legend of Zelda: Union of Evil Powers

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 31: The Lava Outpost[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group entered the area through what looked like a celestial gate, they arrived in a grassy field at the edge of a cliff. Looking up ahead, they could see a volcano in the far distance, while looking down gave them a view of a lava river, the lava having an ominous red and black color in it, almost like the lava that could temporarily be walked over in Dodongo’s Cavern.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think now is a good time to change into our Goron Tunics.” Link said as he looked at the lava river.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good idea. It will at least help us resist the heat a lot better.” Zelda said.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Moving away from the cliff, the group spread out a bit while changing their outfits into the Goron Tunics they received and which have been worked on by the adult Sages. Link’s version was like the child-based variation of the Tunic he had worn in the Future That Almost Was while traversing through the Death Mountain Crater and its Fire Temple. While Zelda’s variation was similar to the one that Saria’s had, being a feminine version of Link’s outfit, it retained some things that still identified her as the Princess of Hyrule, such as the crest of the Hyrulean Royal Family on the top part of the tunic. Ruto’s variation was similar to the other girls, although hers had longer sleeves on the arms and long pants, making her in effect more fire-resistant as Zoras in general were very vulnerable to fire. Nabooru’s outfit was like her standard attire, but now in a full red-scale palette to add to the fire-resistance. Even Rauru had forsaken the long robes he usually wears for actual pants, thinking that being in such an area would require a greater maneuverability in order to cross gaps over the lava more properly and prevent from falling in the lava itself. Darunia was already fire/lava resistant in general due to him being a Goron, thus he had no need for the Goron Tunic. Impa also had a red-colored variation of her traditional Sheikah outfit. Their normal outfits were stashed in the hammer space bag that they carried with them, to change back once they were out of the area itself.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once they were done changing their outfits and re-equipping their weapons, the group gathered once more at the cliff.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, are you ready?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Ready when you are.” Zelda said to him with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright then, let’s go.” Link said, locating platforms they could safely jump on towards a path below and making the first move by carefully moving towards them, taking his time in a way to prevent any mistakes due to his overzealousness. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Eventually Link arrived safely on the stone path above the lava, seeing a sign posted on a nearby wall, deciding to investigate, just as the Sages arrived. Standing at ease, Link went to read the sign, with Saria and Zelda reading along.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Warning, Labyrinth ahead! If you get lost, contact Goro-rooters immediately. By decree of the Goron Elder, Snowhead.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, does this mean that the Gorons know about this?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Maybe; perhaps it could have been something important to them in a distant past, but simply faded into obscurity as time passed.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm, it could very well be an old mining system or an old residence or something…” Darunia mused.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is possible; this place lies between Snowhead and Ikana after all and there is a Goron Settlement In Snowhead…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group moved on, jumping towards a larger and wider stone path, before they were being greeted already by several Stalfos who landed in the area. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, time to put our new skills to the test.” Link said as he got ready, drawing his Gilded Master Sword and his Red Shield, ready for defense, while the others got ready as well.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Charging on, the Stalfos went towards the group, only for Link to clock the Stalfos gunning for him with his shield, stunning it before performing the Helm Splitter, leaping over the skeletal being and slicing the Stalfos on the head as he moved over him, damaging the undead warrior in the process. Both Saria and Zelda performed the Back Slice instead, while Ruto just went for a Shield Attack before just slicing away at the menace. Darunia simply grabbed two Stalfos by the necks and smashed their heads together, crushing their skulls in the process before dumping the headless bodies into the lava, defeating them instantly while Rauru and Impa both performed a Shield Attack of their own, while Nabooru preferred the use of the Ending Blow to destroy the Stalfos she faced instantly. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once the Stalfos were defeated, the group moved on towards the metal structure ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow, those Stalfos went down a lot quicker; those new moves are indeed paying off!” Zelda then said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then we can happily conclude that our time in the Swordsman’s School wasn’t for nothing.” Link said with a smile, before moving to hop on a spring, which promptly launched him upward towards the metal path on the structure, landing safely on it with both feet. He then waited for the others before moving on, going up a path before striking a crystal switch, which created several floating platforms upon activation. Hopping over them to reach another large stone path below, the group made their way through a small crevice into the next area, where several Lizalfos and Dinolfos appeared to attack.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These guys are very persistent.” Saria said, narrowing her eyes.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So are we, Saria. Let’s show ‘em.” Link said, getting ready to attack.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group attacked the incoming Lizalfos and Dinolfos, making good use of their new skills to best their reptilian enemies. Both Link and Saria performed the Ending Blow, while Zelda and Ruto took their shot at the Helm Splitter on their foes. Darunia smashed one of the Dinolfos into the lava river, where it gave a short, screeching howl of agony before submerging to its doom.  Impa and Nabooru just sliced and diced at the Lizalfos, while Rauru used his Light-based magic to strike several others down. Once the creatures have been dealt with, the group waited a bit to rest up before proceeding, hopping on the subsequent platforms over the lava before coming to a stop as the path ended, the only things being a broad spider’s web on the ceiling and a large chest on the stone path’s end. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This is just great.” Ruto said, annoyed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Relax, we’ll find a way to continue.” Nabooru said, just as Link opened the chest with Zelda to see what’s in it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s weird, a cane?” Zelda asked as Link picked the item up.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“There’s something off about this cane…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I can sense that it has magic power within, but what kind is it?” Zelda asked as she came to investigate.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm, this looks like one of the magical canes that exist, but it’s one of those that have been faded into obscurity; only the ancient people may have known about it.” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Is there a note or something on it that tells us how to use it?” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m not sure… wait, I’m seeing something else in the chest. It could be that note.” Link said, before Saria picked it up.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is. It says here that this cane is capable of creating platforms on liquid surfaces like lava and water and that the cane can be used to actually control the directions of where you wish to go, but be warned; the platform will move in the opposite direction of where the rod is pointed in.” Saria said, reading the note over while Link read along over her shoulder.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm, at least we have the means to cross it…” Zelda said before Link moved to the edge of the platform, focusing his own magic power into the cane before using a slashing motion to make it point towards the lava. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Instantly the top part of the cane began to glow, firing a sphere at the lava. The sphere didn’t hit the lava to make it splash in all directions. Instead, the sphere expanded outward once it hit the lava, its top part becoming flat, before it changed color to match the color of the stone path around them and solidified, becoming a platform big enough for the entire group to stand on.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, at least it works.” Link said, carefully hopping on the platform, which remained in place as he hopped on, not moving… not even sinking...[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Saria and Zelda hopped on right away, soon followed by Ruto and Nabooru. Everyone was a bit nervous when Darunia moved on, but relieved upon finding out it held his weight combined with theirs just fine, even after Impa and Rauru stood on it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, so where do you want to go?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I thought to have seen something below the spring we used to get on top of the metal building. Perhaps we can try to reach it?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sure.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ll help you with steering and controlling the thing, Link. We’re all in this together.” Zelda said, before Link thrusted the cane forward, making the platform with the group on it indeed move backwards from Link’s position. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Whatever the situation was, the group now had means to cross the lava river. Saria kept reading the note as she noticed additional instructions. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Interesting, it says that the cane can also generate smaller platforms on land which can be carried to wherever we want, made stuck on a post or even used against enemies. If a platform already exists at a distance away, we can use the cane to shoot at it to make it move.” She said, while Link carefully thrusted the cane where needed to make it go in the directions the group wanted it to go.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ve heard of a similar cane capable of making platforms which could be used to hold down switches and block incoming enemy strikes,” Rauru said, “it is known as the Cane of Somaria.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Perhaps this could be that very cane or at a variation on it that is fire/lava-resistant.” Link said as he steered the platform over the lava river in the area where they first fought the group of Stalfos upon entering the area.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This is a whole new level of backtracking altogether.” Link commented as he steered the platform over the lava river, occasionally thrusting the cane on to make it move faster or at least keep the speed in.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say… wait, what’s with that crevice out here?” Saria said, noticing a crevice in the wall ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It looks more like a cavern area to me…” Darunia said as Zelda instructed Link to steer the platform into it, which he did so without question. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon arriving, the platform skidded on actual stone surface as it stopped, allowing the group to disembark as they noticed they were in a safe area, with a post up ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, at least we can walk here…” Nabooru said, before Link generated the normal platform, which he picked up with Zelda and, with her aid, tossed it towards the post, where it lodged itself onto it, in effect creating a brand new platform to cross the red-hot glowing lava below towards a higher platform safely. Once they were on the platform safely, the entire group was suddenly faced with the immense heat emanating from a lava river which was red-hot and flowing fast past the platforms that could be safely walked on. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good grief! This heat is intolerable!” Saria said, sweating immediately.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say! Glad we have these tunics on, huh?” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You bet.” Saria and Ruto said in unison as the group carefully proceeded onward, the path being safe enough to be moved over.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Arriving at the far side of the area, there was an entrance to another cavern, but it was too high for the group to reach right away. Thankfully, Link used his newly acquired cane to generate another platform at the ground in front of its entrance as the others safely backed off, making sure the platform would stay in place, before Link safely climbed up on it and hoisted himself up into the entrance area of the cavern, with Saria and Zelda following right away. The cave itself appeared cooler as they traveled down it towards what appeared to be a dead end, only for the group to encounter a pool of water at the room they entered. Blinking at this, the group approached it wearily. It was then that, in the center of the pool, a figure appeared… it was a Great Fairy![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Greetings, you have come a long way if you managed to come all the way here, young warriors.” The Great Fairy said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes, we have.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I assume you know why we are here?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Of course, young princess, but I must inform you that your quest will become even harder than before.” The Great Fairy said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I wouldn’t be surprised. Both Ganondorf and Majora are hell-bent on ensuring we meet our end soon enough, but it’s not going to stop us from trying to show them who’s boss.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Great Fairy nodded.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Since you have had the courage to come all the way here, this is what I can offer you…” The Great Fairy said, before she generated an item which looked like a glove of which the plates on the back of it was either coated or colored in pure gold.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow, golden gloves?” Ruto asked, blinking.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Not just ‘plain’ golden gloves. These are a special kind of power fist, infused with attack magic. I have scattered a few of these throughout here and other locations. If you pick these up, they will enhance whatever items you have to increase your strength, like your own power gloves or bracelets, with its power so all of your attacks will become even stronger than before. But use it wisely; if you are hit by the enemy or are hit by natural hazards three times, the effect will wear off and you’ll be back to your old strength once more.” The Great Fairy said, before giving the group a sample of this which colored the gloves and bracelets that they already had into gold, making it appear as if each of them had an adaptation or fitting version of the Golden Gauntlets. Darunia was given a variation in the form of  gloves that had golden-colored armor plates on the back of the hands, like the Golden Gauntlets.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh wow!” Link said, blinking as he felt the power moving through him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you very much.” Zelda said, bowing to the Great Fairy in kindness.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No problem, it’s the least I can do for you, other than soothing your weariness.” She said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What happens if we already have this on and we find another set of these gloves?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The gloves will retain the strength they can grant you, so you simply can’t stack the power of these altogether. However it will ‘refresh’ so to speak, so if you pick it up, you will once again have to be hit three times before the effect wears off.” The Great Fairy said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, thank you once again.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No problem. If you’re ever overcome by weariness, please come and see me. I will soothe your weariness once you’re back.” She said, before vanishing as she waved the group a good-bye.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Waving her off, the group then decided to move all the way back to where they came from, crossing the red-hot lava river and returning to the safe area, after which they hopped back on the platform they used to cross the red and black lava river in the first place, with Link this time steering the platform once again in the other direction.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, at least we have something that gives us a greater fighting chance.” Ruto said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s true, but keep in mind that this hasn’t changed our DEFENSIVE strength one bit, so we can still get into deep trouble if we get careless now.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You have a point there. All that has changed is our attack power, nothing more.” Nabooru said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Still, take comfort in the fact that if we play this right, we can deliver a serious beating to the enemy.” Darunia said with a smile as they approached the small tunnel to enter the area where the group fought the Lizalfos and Dinolfos on the stone platforms.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, am I seeing another stone platform on the far side of the lava lake?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, I can see one too. Link, can you steer it a bit to the left to get to that area, please?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sure thing.” Link replied, doing as he was told to do, allowing the group to reach the higher platform, climbing one by one on top of it, moving into another tunnel.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Entering the area, they saw another large area at the far side of another lava river, but this time it had already platforms to safely cross it. On the platform on the other side stood yet another Club Moblin, waiting for the group to come closer as it spotted them so it could knock them in the lava.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Darn, just what we needed.” Zelda muttered under her breath. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link however took aim using his Bow and Arrows to strike the Club Moblin from a distance, with Saria aiding him soon, taking the Club Moblin down rapidly, allowing the group to cross the area safely. But no sooner had they arrived on the main platform as suddenly more enemies arrived to attack, being Stalfos and Dinolfos in this first wave, each of them ready to strike.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Without hesitation, Link and the Sages retaliated as the Stalfos went on the offensive along with the Dinolfos, with Link pulling off a Mortal Draw against an incoming Dinolfos successfully, killing the creature instantly, while Saria clobbered another one with her Shield before performing a Helm Splitter. Zelda and Impa double-teamed a Stalfos with Zelda performing a Back Slash, while Impa moved in swiftly with a Jump Strike, knocking several other Stalfos aside in the process. Darunia made use of this by crushing the skulls of two Stalfos with a well-aimed Goron Pound, while Rauru on his turn made use of his Light-based magic, utilizing it to a great effect as if the enemies were being pelted with light shining off the Mirror Shield, which was effective in slaying the undead Stalfos instantly, while the Dinolfos were also slain without problems. But this was only the start of the battle, as a couple more Stalfos and Dinolfos, this time accompanied by their lesser cousins, the Lizalfos, joined in the fray. This didn’t deter the group however as they kept on fighting, their newfound strength proving to be a godsend to them. Link managed to roll past a Dinolfos, getting behind it, before clocking Saria rolling next to him as she too had rolled past a Dinolfos. Looking at each other, Link and Saria nodded, before using one hand to grab each other by the waist and both then jumped into the air, the arms holding their respective swords extended outward, striking both Dinolfos in the back together as they spun upward in a circle, creating a Double Back Slash in this kind, before landing safely on the ground, letting each other to before resuming their battle, this time Link went to engage a Stalfos. Darunia grabbed two Lizalfos and bashed their heads against each other, before tossing them over the edge of the platform they were on, making them land in the lava. Impa on his turn slid between the legs of another Stalfos to get up behind it, grabbing its head before snapping its neck and tossing the skeleton in the lava as well, before narrowly avoiding a strike from a Wolfos whom appeared in the midst of the fight with its trademark howl. Zelda came to her aid by jump attacking said Wolfos in its vulnerable backside, making it emit a death howl as it disintegrated into sheets of blue flame before it was gone. Ruto hopped on Saria’s shoulders, using her as a lever to launch herself towards a Lizalfos to stab it in the head with her sword, before Link used a Helm Splitter on a Stalfos whom tried to ambush her. Nabooru made her Great Spin into a Double Great Spin due to her wielding two blades, cutting several Stalfos and Dinolfos in two and beheading one careless Lizalfos in the process, giving the group some reprieve as this brief moment of peace allowed them to regroup.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These guys are getting more relentless than ever!” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say. This is definitely worthy of being a stronghold.” Link said, just as another group of enemies landed in the area, this time being two Eyegores and two Flare Dancers, much to the group’s annoyance.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group decided to split into groups of two, with Link, Saria, Zelda and Ruto moving to tackle the Eyegores, while Darunia, Nabooru, Impa and Rauru focused on the Flare Dancers. Having faced them before, Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru knew exactly how to defeat the enemies here, with Darunia having heard of the Flare Dancers before, grabbing a set of Bombs to deal with them properly. The Eyegores were easily dealt with as the group used their obvious weakness to their advantage, although they had to avoid the laser that it fired this time around. The Flare Dancers on the other hand kept moving around once blasted out of their flaming suits, creating the annoyance of having to chase them around in regards to the others. Thankfully both Impa and Nabooru were swift and agile as they tackled the beasts, but this didn’t make it any easier whatsoever. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These creatures really are a bunch of cowards whenever they’re not in their suits…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say,” Darunia said, pounding one Flare Dancer into smithereens, “at least we can be more diverse instead of relying on a specific thing as a crutch if our abilities are really needed to be tested.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“True; we’ve faced a lot of those trials after all…” Nabooru replied, cutting down the second Flare Dancer with Rauru and Impa, ending this fight.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link then saw a cage on a higher ledge and used the cane he got to create a platform in front of the platform in order to reach the cage. After breaking it, the group found a small group of Red Fairies whom had been captured or otherwise locked into the cage, causing a surprise reaction from Navi, Tatl and Tael as they approached their fellow kin for a moment.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Well, this is unexpected..." Link said as he hopped back down, the fairies floating around for a moment before leaving to a much safer place.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Yeah. At least we helped those fairies escape." Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Let's get out of here and continue our trip; it's no use hanging around here." Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link and Zelda both nodded as they too continued on their way with the others. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Backtracking all the way to where they entered the cavern at the far side of the lake, the group made their way back towards the area where they found the chest containing the platform-generating cane, with Link deciding to climb onto the web this time, using it to steadily climb his way across the lava river below him, before landing on top of a broad metal platform, before grabbing his bow and arrow as he clocked a few Fire Keeses, deciding to take them out from a distance, targeting those who came too close for comfort. One Fire Keese tried to ambush him, but was intercepted and killed by Zelda as she soon arrived next to Link. Link on his turn created another platform on the lava, with him and Zelda hopping onto it while waiting for the others, intercepting two more Fire Keeses as Saria arrived. Once Ruto, Nabooru, Impa, Darunia and Rauru had rejoined the group, Link steered the platform casually to the other side, which was a stairway leading to another tunnel area. Walking through it, they arrived at one side of another lava river, which went down, but also having a path going up.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Great, a T-junction..." Impa said, while Link made the platform needed to cross the river. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Which way should we go first?" Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"We'll take the upstream side first. If we are to be sure that this outpost of Ganondorf and Majora is disabled, we have to make sure that none of their troops remain alive here." Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"As you wish." Link said, waiting for the rest to hop on the platform so he could steer the platform up the lava stream, being cautious to ensure nothing of the lava would spill on the platform itself. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once arriving at the top area, they noticed that they arrived at the starting point of the lava river, being greeted by an entrance to what looked like a structure buried in the ground.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"What is this?" Zelda asked, blinking as the group disembarked as Link 'parked' the platform at one side of the pathway around the temple's entrance.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"This looks like a Temple entrance to me..." Link said as he got a good look at the area.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Are you certain of this? It may not look like anything we have seen so far..." Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"I'm definitely sure. It appears to me like it's a solid yet ancient temple or something similar..." He said as he approached the entrance, which was quite big.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Sages all followed him, even as he stopped for a moment to get a more decent look at it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Well, here we go then. Who knows what it might contain..." Link said as he moved on to enter the Temple, with Zelda and Saria following him right away, shortly followed by the other sages.
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 32: The wrong temple[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Arriving inside the Temple, Link and the Sages were startled as the entrance gate closed behind them, before looking forward as suddenly a wave of intense heat reached them. Upon investigating, they discovered that they were standing in the main room which had lava all across the floor, with a stone path to the right, a bridge and what appeared to be a very brittle door ahead. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Good grief! The heat is almost unbearable here!" Ruto said, moaning.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"It would be unbearable if we didn't wear these tunics. Remind me to give a royal gift to whoever made this out of gratitude." Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link got an arrow out as he spotted another Fire Keese, missing the shot the first time, but getting a lucky shot the second time as the fire bat went down. Saria noticed a face in the wall to their right that was spouting a stream of fire over the path to their right at regular intervals, meaning the group had to be careful when going over that path.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Looks like we need to take turns  when it comes to going over that path to our right.” Link said, timing the intervals between each time the face was spouting fire over the path.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And there’s a second one further up ahead, just at the beginning of the bridge.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s hope that nothing freaky will happen…” Saria said, seeing Link making his move towards some platforms, hopping over them to reach the path to the right after the fire spouts had ceased for the time being, timing the things herself to know when it was her cue to make her move.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]At the same moment, Link managed to stand on the center of the bridge and tossed a bomb towards the door, blowing it apart, before spotting a Bomb Flower to his left. Ignoring it, he moved onward in the new room where he waited for the others, who soon joined him one after another, before Link used an arrow to shoot at a stalactite in the wall, which moved as it was hit in a brittle part. He shot at it again, making it break off and fall into the lava as a makeshift platform for the group to cross over to the other side, the path leading to another lava filled room with another stalactite, another Fire Spouting Face in the wall. There were also several Fire Keeses and Torch Slugs around that had to be dealt with. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, they sure wanted to make it hard enough for us.” Link said as Saria and Zelda took out the Fire Keeses, while Ruto used her Dual Boomerangs to stun the Torch Slugs in the direct vicinity to extinguish their flames and make them try to flee, while Link and Nabooru brought down the Stalactite so the group could pass over to the apparent broken bridge along the way, taking care of not to be hit by the Flame Spouting Statue’s attack.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I agree, Brother; the Fire Temple looks tame compared to this.” Darunia said as they safely crossed the path in turns.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Standing on the edge of the end of the path, Link stopped, seeing two pillars that were standing upright up ahead. He also saw two Crystal Switches around, that obviously begged to be shot one way or another. Lining up an arrow to the first one, Link fired at it, making it strike the switch and causing the pillar to fall down in front of them, creating a path across its length. Saria aided him by shooting a Deku Seed at the second switch, making the second pillar fall over as well, creating a path with a 90 degree turn to the right, heading towards a lava tunnel. Spotting a third crystal switch, Zelda hit it with an arrow, which caused a pathway to rise up from the lava and connecting it with a stairway at the far side of the lava tunnel, making it in effect a slope. Once it was fully raised, Link hopped on and slid down onto the staircase, with Zelda, Saria, Ruto and Nabooru following, making room for Impa, Darunia and Rauru to join them. No sooner had the last three joined the stairway or the slope sunk back into the lava and directly ahead up the staircase was another fire spouting stature present, but this time it was continuously spouting fire.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great, how do we get over this one?” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Where there is a will there is a way.” Link said, before spotting a hookshot target on the ceiling, using his Hookshot to hit it and pull himself safely on the other side of the stairs, before turning around and spotting a cracked part at the ceiling area at the exit of the lava slope tunnel.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link then carefully stepped to the left stopping as if he was calculating something.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What are you doing?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ve spotted a crack in the stone ceiling right at the exit of the tunnel behind you. You may want to stand aside; I’ll try to reach it with a Bombchu.” Link replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Sages nodded, stepping aside while ensuring they wouldn’t fall in the lava, before Link unleashed the Bombchu, which scaled up the wall at an angle, going upwards towards the crack before it detonated, destroying the part of the wall and revealing yet another crystal switch. Link struck it with an arrow, which activated the switch… and turned the fire spout off, allowing the others to move up on the stairs to where Link was. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]At the other side of the stairway, there was another platform which was already floating in the Lava, which Link hopped on after the others had safely passed the staircase itself, in time as behind them the fire spout reactivated. Once he stood on the platform, Link wiped some sweat from his forehead while Saria and Zelda joined him, shortly followed by Ruto, Nabooru, Impa and Rauru. Once Darunia stood on it, the platform began to move, taking the group downstream to another room further into the temple. They didn’t have the time to relax however as there were several Fire Keeses up ahead, which Link, Zelda, Saria and Ruto all shot down before they could inflict any harm on the group. The Platform eventually came to a stop in front of a pathway leading to a way up to a higher floor.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This place feels linear; there is no map of the place around, yet so far we seem to be making progress…” Link said, scratching his head.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, I wonder if we’re actually supposed to be here.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I guess we’ll find out one way or another.” Saria said as the group got ready to progress, only to see several Red Bubbles jumping from the lava to and fro, meaning that they had to watch their step to avoid being hit.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“YIKES!” Ruto said, narrowly avoiding being hit by one of them. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru grunted as she managed to hit one of the Red Bubbles, defeating it instantly, before moving on after the others, although Link stopped at the second highest platform to take out a Skulltula that was blocking his path to the highest floor with his Hookshot to conserve arrows, before moving on into a room where he took out two more Skulltulas along the way. Once he felt he was safe, he stopped to take a breather, sitting down even, while waiting for the others, whom fortunately enough joined him soon.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whew, that’s quite the hot run…” Ruto said, trying to cool herself down.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link aided her by giving her a bottle of Spring Water he took along with him, having snatched the water from the Southern Swamp, knowing that its fresh and clean appearance would do wonders. Ruto smiled at this gesture, taking the bottle with glee and taking a few gulps of it, wanting to conserve as much water as possible, sharing it with the others. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” Nabooru said with a smile, taking a sip of the water.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I wonder what is actually being held here; the place looks solid yet it feels rather empty, save for the enemies that dwell here.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I guess we’ll find out sooner or later…” Saria said, shrugging.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed. It’d better be something useful to us…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We all hope that…” Impa said, smiling as she patted Zelda’s shoulder.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Darunia looked around, sitting down for a moment as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I have to admit that things really went hot out here…” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And for some reason I believe that this is only the beginning.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What makes you say that?” Nabooru inquired.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, this place must be hiding something or else we wouldn’t have gone to check it out. There is obviously something that is of importance out here… if it isn’t in this temple, then maybe it’s somewhere else around these parts.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Zelda has a point. This place looks way too suspicious too.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I guess we will find out what is hiding in here soon…” Link said as he prepared to go once more, looking around at the other side of the room on a higher path, seeing another path between gaps that had to be crossed over.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]He startled for a moment as Saria and Zelda came up from behind him, standing next to him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sorry.” Both Saria and Zelda said as they saw Link startled for a moment.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s alright, I was a bit too focused on figuring out how to cross it without falling in the lava.” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Like judging your jumps in advance?” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, like that.” He said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The gap looks a bit too wide to cross it over and land with both feet on the platforms along the way…” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Not necessarily. In a normal jump, it would be a bit too large with the risk of getting hit, but perhaps with enough speed, we should be able to jump a bit further ahead.” Link said, taking a few steps back as if he was going to build up a run to get enough speed in.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Interested, the others went to see what Link was up to, just as he boldly began to run forward towards the gap. Right before he reached the edge, Link rolled forward, giving him a little extra speed and an additional boost as he then jumped off the edge, landing with a roll on the platform in between before following it up with a second jump, landing safely on the platform he was supposed to reach, the Red Bubble that came up from the side simply missed him and vanished as quick as it came. Link then moved to the side to wait for the others, seeing Zelda moving up to follow Link’s example, safely making it to the other side as well. Saria was the third one and Ruto the fourth one. Nabooru was of course an adult and in general was able to cross jumps a bit farther than the children, but still made sure she had enough speed along the way as well, while the children made room for the adults to arrive at their position.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Seeing the path moving down a bit, Link walked down it, before hopping down the edge and landing on a stone path below, waiting for the others as he saw Saria hopping down the path, followed by Zelda, Ruto and then Nabooru, before Impa, Rauru and Darunia arrived safely on the path. Only when the group wanted to move forward, a Lizalfos tried to stop them as he landed in front of them. Link used the Mortal Draw on it to defeat it right away, only for a second Lizalfos to come in. Zelda took care of it using the Helm Splitter, before the group moved on, spotting another large platform floating in the lava ahead. But there were also two Flame Spouts along the way and two Stalactites as well. Link and Saria shot each stalactite one time each, the Stalactites vibrating, but remaining in place. Link then proceeded to hop on the platform, waiting for the others once again. Once the sages had joined him, the platform began to move onward towards a staircase at the far side of the lava room. Link then shot a second arrow at the first stalactite, making it fall in the lava to make a makeshift platform which he hopped on, using this to avoid the Fire Spout to the right, before hopping back to the main platform, with the Sages following his every move. This maneuver was repeated with the second Stalactite, allowing the group to reach the staircase unharmed. At the Staircase, Link and Zelda intercepted two Keeses which had settled on a nearby wall, before noticing that the stairway went in a t-junction. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, the entrance to the left is barred with debris, so we can’t go through there…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yep. The right one is the only option.” Zelda said with a nod, before the group proceeded onward on the staircase, entering a room that had three brittle doors ahead.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once the group was inside the room, a gate closed behind them, preventing them from going back. Darunia tried to move the gate, but it wouldn’t budge. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great, locked in.” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Looks like those three doors are our only option.” Rauru said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link however gasped as he once again noticed his shadow growing, rolling forward to avoid the incoming Wallmaster, which was taken out by Zelda using a jump attack. But before Link could thank Zelda, he was unceremoniously clocked to the nearest wall with a *THUD*, grunting as he landed. Zelda tried to help him, only to receive a similar treatment a mere second later, making her land on top of Link, both holding their heads in pain. Just then, Saria screamed as she was being picked up by a second Wallmaster, but Nabooru intercepted the creature before it could take Saria away, freeing the Forest Sage in the process who looked like she was about to have a heart attack. Both Link and Zelda tried to get up, only to be hit in the face together, causing them to hit the wall again, dazing them a bit, right before Nabooru, Saria and Princess Ruto also received such a treatment. Using the Lens of Truth that Link gave her, looked around right away and saw what was attacking them: not one, but TWO Floormasters, both invisible to the naked eye and had to be spotted with the eye that could see the truth! [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What keeps hitting me?!” Zelda asked, grunting as she got up.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“There’s two Invisible Floormasters here! They’re- OOF!” Impa said as she too was being hit by a Floormaster, causing her to bump into Rauru. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Darunia on the other hand rolled up and forward, before leaping into the air and smashing the ground with a powerful Goron Pound, instantly defeating the Floormasters… but the sound of rolling/trotting fingers was heard still. Recovering quick, Impa used the Lens of Truth again and noticed that each of the Floormasters had split into three smaller ones. However, having caught on to this as he had fought them before, Link moved more to the center and used Din’s Fire, encasing himself in an expanding dome of fire that left the Seven Sages alone, but was successful in incinerating the smaller Floormasters in turn. This brought a sense of relief for the group, especially Link and Zelda.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now I understand how you two felt when you were being attacked by a Wallmaster…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Both Link and Zelda chuckled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You know, of all the mooks that Ganondorf and Majora sent after us, we hate the Floormasters and Wallmasters the most, simply because of what they’re capable of…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda nodded in agreement.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But the Floormaster can be worse when it’s invisible, like the one whom tackled us.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed… hey, your nose is bleeding, Zelda.” Link said, noticing blood moving down the princess’ nose.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is?” Zelda asked, touching the area, only to yelp and wince in pain as it hurt badly and indeed noticing blood on her hand from the area.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Your nose is bleeding too, Link,” Impa said as she got some handkerchiefs to nurse the injuries of the two, both wincing in pain, “that Floormaster nailed the both of you pretty bad.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Both Link and Zelda grunted as they held the cloths against their noses to nurse it, muttering curses against the already slain, offending creature under their breaths. Impa patted their shoulders to comfort them, to which they thanked her for it with a smile. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After a couple of minutes, the bleeding finally stopped, showing that the wounds were only limited to a bruise, nothing broken so far fortunately. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, at least the doors are still here…” Ruto said, nursing her arm.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Rauru then tossed a bomb to the right-most door, destroying it as the bomb detonated, revealing a single, small room. However, Link and Zelda’s eyes went wide as they looked inside.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Are you frigging kidding me?!” They said in unison, right before Link grabbed Zelda and tossed himself to the side, taking Zelda with him, but rolling over so he took the brunt of the impact on the ground, just as a THIRD Floormaster, this time being visible for everyone, dashed past them in its green color, missing its target, hitting nothing in turn. Darunia made short work of the creature with a single Goron Punch, before using a Goron Pound to eliminate the three smaller versions before they could properly spread and try to siphon off any of the group’s life force so they could grow back to full size. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thanks, Darunia.” Link said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No problem.” Darunia said, smiling. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As Link helped Zelda up, the princess did something Link didn’t expect; she gave him a soft peck on his cheek.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What was that for?” Link asked blushing.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“For pulling me out of harm’s way,” Zelda said, before coming closer, whispering the next part into his ear, “and in return for that kiss you gave me back in the forest outpost.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head while Zelda smiled sweetly, after which they went to check out the room where the Floormaster came from, discovering a few chests and pots, including a big chest. Opening the smaller chests and breaking the pots earned the group some rupees and additional ammunition of arrows, bombs and Bombchus, while Link went to check out the big chest…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What’s this?” He asked, picking out an item that looked similar to his Hookshot, but instead of hook on the end of the chain to snatch the items, hit switches or kill certain weak enemies with, there was a set of three claws placed on the end of the chain. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hm? That’s different from the Hookshot we already have…” Zelda said as she got one herself. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“How many of these are there?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“At any case enough for any of us…” Link replied. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’d better take them with us, who knows what use they may have…” Impa said, taking one herself.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once they had taken and stashed their items, the group went on to the door in the center, which was also easily taken care of with a Bomb. Inside the room there was another big chest, while a Business Scrub was present in front of it. Darunia delivered another Goron Pound to eject the Scrub from its hiding place with a squeak, before Impa confronted it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I give up! If you let me be, I’ll sell you some Red Potion, but it’ll cost 40 Rupees.” It said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Sighing, Impa handed over the money.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you very much. Here’s the potion.” The Scrub said, presenting a full bottle of Red Potion her, which Impa accepted before the Scrub left. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa then returned to the group, handing the Potion over to Link.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Here, share some with Zelda. It should help in healing your noses faster.” She said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” Link said, before he took a few gulps of the Red Potion, before giving it to Zelda, who also took a few sips of it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The remainder of the potion was divided between Saria, Ruto and Nabooru, before Rauru opened the big chest.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, here’s more of those golden-plated gloves that Great Fairy gave us earlier.” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sweet, that should restore our power-charged gloves then.” Ruto said, smiling as the group took the items, before turning to the third door. This time, Impa blasted the door apart with a Bomb, only for the group to be greeted with the sight of a Big Skulltula, which Saria took out with her Fairy Slingshot. But the group couldn’t exactly progress; as they made a turn to the left, they were greeted with the sight of another enemy which they hated; an Iron Knuckle![/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Pulling back into the main room, the Sages waited while Link used Bombs and Bombchus to lure the Iron Knuckle into the room with success, making it appear in the room, right before one more bomb took out the outer armor, allowing the group to pelt it with arrows and Deku Seeds as it charged at them, once again taking it out from a safe distance, bringing relief to the group.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s hope we can actually move on now…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You said it.” Link said, laying a hand on her left shoulder.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As Saria turned to Link, she noticed he was smiling at her, something which made her smile and also blush a little too, before the group moved on, down the path the Iron Knuckle stood on, entering a new path where they saw the path now going down in a curve, but broken up by patches of nettles which didn’t look too healthy to step over…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh dear, what now?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This is going to be tougher than I thought… but there must be a way to cross this…” Link said as he moved forward, trying to look for where the path would go, noticing it went away with another curve to the right, but he was unable to pass over the nettles. Disappointed, Link returned to the others, only to spot something nearby.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?!” He asked, moving closer.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is it? Did you find something?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think so, I’m not sure what it is…” Link replied as he moved towards the beginning of a path, seeing something behind the group even. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the others turned around, they saw that there was something… sleeping right behind them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What in the name of Hyrule is that?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It looks like a bigger and sentient version of the Bombchu which also has legs…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It looks surprisingly tame…” Nabooru said, scratching her head.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s so big that one or two people could even sit on it.” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Cautiously, Link approached it and carefully sat on the sleeping Bombchu, with Saria following close behind him as she climbed up carefully as well. But no sooner had the two mounted it, or the Bombchu suddenly reared up, letting out a metallic squeak reminiscent of the Real Bombchus, before taking off… taking Link and Saria with it! Saria screamed as she held Link tightly at the waist, while Link himself had a firm grip on the Bombchu, holding onto it for dear life. Link blinked as it ran over the nettles with no problem, although doing his best to steer it along the path, before coming across a gap, which he forced the Bombchu to jump over, before making another turn to the left… headed straight for a looping.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh no!” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hang on tight, Saria!” Link said, just as the Bombchu made it through the looping safely! [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Making a jump across two more gaps, the Bombchu made another turn to the left and then to the right, crossing a stone pillar that acted like a bridge over a lava pit, before it went over a patch of lava that didn’t move, headed for a final gap and straight towards a door. Jumping over the gap, Link saw his chance and jumped off the Bombchu, taking Saria along with him, while the Bombchu collided with the door, destroying it and itself in the process. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I… I think we have had enough jump scares for the day…” Link said as he held his childhood friend while leaning against the wall.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think so too…” Saria said, shivering.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just then, the terrifying screams of Zelda and Ruto were heard, coming closer.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, crap!” both Link and Saria said, fleeing into the dark area that the door had revealed for them… only for them to suddenly trip as they slid down a chasm… taking them outside on the ground above the Temple’s entrance, landing on the grass with a loud *THUD*, knocking the both of them out for a moment as both made a perfect faceplant onto the ground.
[/font]
 
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]
[size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 33: Finding the REAL sanctuary[/font]
[/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“…ink… Link? Link?! Wake up!” A female voice said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link groaned as he woke up, his movements shaky, but stable as he got up.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Uuuuhhh… what happened?!” He asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You and Saria made a nasty fall from the exit of that temple, are you alright?” The female voice asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon looking up, Link came face to face with a deeply concerned Zelda, while Ruto and Nabooru were treating a similarly recovering Saria. Impa, Darunia and Rauru were also present, having another Red Potion available which they had bought from another Business Scrub who was at the far side of the area itself, which they gave to the two as soon as they had recovered. This in effect relieved Link and Saria of their headache as the red potion once again proved its usefulness. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That was… quite a ride.” Saria said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say. I’d rather sit on a horse; at least horses can stop and/or go slow/fast according to our wishes…” Zelda said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, at least we’ve made it in one piece so far, that’s what counts.” Link said, now sitting upright as he felt his strength returning because of the Red Potion he drank.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That much is certain.” Nabooru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What’s with the blood out here?” Link then asked, blinking at the red patches on the spots where he and Saria landed.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Both you and Saria broke your noses when you landed on the floor. We had to reset the bones and had to give you the Red Potion in order to make it heal more rapidly.” Rauru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Blinking, Link briefly touched his nose lightly, wincing at the touch.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Just leave it alone; the swelling and all should recede shortly and your nose will be as if it hadn’t been touched.” Impa said with a soothing tone.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link smiled at this.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thanks, Impa.” He said, before chuckling a bit at the indent that he and Saria made in the grass because of their landing, making it apparent he was taking it in a good light.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Talk about leaving an impression.” He said, causing Saria on her turn to nearly choke on a sip of water she was drinking, making Nabooru pat her back as Saria herself laughed and coughed altogether.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa smiled, while Zelda went towards Link to sit next to him, smiling as she felt quite relieved.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, where are we?” Saria asked after she had calmed down.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“From what we can see, we’re on a grassy path at some distance above the area of where we entered the temple.” Nabooru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, that was it?” Link asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Pretty much, although we still haven’t explored the other side of the lava river yet…” Rauru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“There’s only one thing left for us to do here then.” Saria said as she got up, helping Link up right after that, smiling.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link smiled back, accepting the help before readjusting his gear. Once that was done, he approached the edge of the cliff he was on and carefully hopped down at an angle, rolling forward once he landed to prevent damage. Once on the ground, he caught Saria in his arms as she hopped down, before repeating this with Zelda and Ruto, while the adults were able to jump down themselves. Once that was done, Link used his new cane to generate once more a platform on top of the lava so the group could travel onward, this time in the other direction. [/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once they were on the platform and were on their way down the lava river, the group noticed that everything else had remained in place after they had cleared it, so it was for the rest void of enemies along the way. That is, until they went further down the river and were confronted by a few Corrupted Arrow Soldiers, the archers of the Corrupted Soldiers variation, which began to fire at the group with their bow and arrows. Darunia’s rock hard backside proved vital as a cover, while Saria and Zelda took out the Corrupted Soldiers, although they had to look away as one of those soldiers fell into the lava, never to be seen again. Link had been moving the platform to a metal platform to give the others a more stable ground to retaliate from. Once the Corrupted Soldiers were dealt with, the group climbed on top of the metal platform, heading through a short tunnel and ending up at a path with the lava river below them; upon moving to where the Corrupted Soldiers stood they discovered that the lava river went around that area as they discovered a chest with some additional ammunition for arrows and Deku Seeds, while also containing a few bows big enough for Saria and Ruto to handle, much to their delight. Moving back down the metal path, they moved on over some metal platform to reach a crevice in a stone wall at the end of the lava river, a path leading into a dark room with stone pillars and a single lone tree present. In that area, there was no lava around, which initially brought relief to the group…[/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]…but their relief was short-lived, because once they arrived, they could already hear the distinct moaning sound of ReDeads nearby, coupled with the unmistakable trotting sound from patrolling Floormasters. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Why them?!” Link and Zelda groaned as they spotted one of the Floormasters around the tree…[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Relax, this time they’re visible to us so we should be able to take care of them sooner…” Impa said in a comforting tone, understanding why those demonic, severed, sentient hands agitated both the hero and the princess.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” Both children said, before Link used the Sun’s Song to first paralyze the ReDeads, allowing the group to focus on the Floormasters first.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s go in pairs again, so we can also watch each other’s backs in case either a tiny Floormaster or even a Wallmaster tries anything funny.” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]The others nodded, before moving to engage their hated enemies. The large Floormasters were easily taken care of, which left only the smaller ones which tried to first run away before boldly charging at the group. While the group focused more on the Floormasters, Link played the Sun’s Song again to freeze the ReDeads again so the group could take them out without much trouble, having intercepted so far a total of THREE Wallmasters in the room so far. Link and Zelda in particular took delight in taking out the hands that dropped from above, as it had been the bane of their travels so far… Saria on her turn intercepted a tiny Floormaster which targeted Nabooru, while Nabooru on her turn took out another Wallmaster whom tried to ambush the Forest Sage in turn. Rauru used his Light-based spells to instantly decimate any Floormaster in his path, the few ReDeads that were in the way of his attacks were also taken out instantly, while Link kept playing the Sun’s Song just to be sure the ReDeads remain frozen to prevent them from getting in the way. [/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]After a few minutes, the last of the Floormasters was finally taken down, allowing the group to concentrate on the remaining ReDeads, as some of them were actually together in small groups of four. While scouting the area itself, the group also were on the lookout for any remaining Wallmasters that could be dwelling in the area, but to their relief, they found none. Once the ReDeads were slain, the group were able to catch their breath for a moment, before they could proceed onward to the ledge that Link saw, using the new cane he had in his possession to create an actual block which he, Zelda and Saria pushed towards the ledge and put it into its place. Once that was done, the group climbed one after the other on the platform and onto the ledge, taking out a last Skulltula along the way, before finding themselves outside again on a path in the open. The sight of the vast forest between Hyrule and Termina could be clearly seen in the far distance and the sky being a glowing blue. The area around them felt it was completely at peace, no single enemy in sight… and the fresh air was quite a relief from the excruciating heat they had experienced while traveling over the lava. The path itself also had patches of green grass ahead, where plants and bushes were growing as if a small portion of the forest had been able to reach the path there.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, it looks like we took out the outpost itself…” Impa said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, you’d think our two enemies could be smarter than this…” Ruto said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You’ll never know with those two. I honestly feel much more at peace when they’ve been properly dealt with.” Zelda said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think we all share your opinion on that, Zel. It’s just not easy to get to them as it is right now…” Link said, with Zelda blushing at hearing Link’s affectionate nickname for her. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Deciding to enjoy the fresh air, the group stopped to rest for a bit, allowing themselves to relax and let their bodies calm down in a way as well… Both Link and Zelda stretched a bit, popping their necks a little before sitting down on the stone path to rest, with Saria sitting on Link’s other side, while Ruto sat in front of them. Nabooru smirked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“My, my, Link. I never thought you’d become quite the womanizer throughout your adventure…” She said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh?” Link asked, blinking.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Face it, you’ve got three girls sitting near you and I’ve seen that Romani of the Romani Ranch was deeply worried about you as well when Zelda and you were out cold back then.” She said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link’s eyes went wide at this.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But… but why would they be… interested in me?” Link then blurted out, “I… I mean, sure the girls I’ve associated in my life so far are really good looking, no doubt about that, but why me?” [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru giggled as Link was oblivious to a furious blush having crept on the faces of Saria, Zelda and Ruto altogether.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Do you want to know the reason?” She then asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, I’d love to know.” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s simple; it’s because of your heart.” [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“My heart?” [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yep. The fact that you simply do what you believe is right to help the people out, you don’t boast about your capabilities or you don’t show them off like most macho men tend to do around town as well as your courageous demeanor and spirit make you well-liked by the girls.” The Gerudo leader said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Now it was Link’s turn to blush, looking nervously at Saria, Zelda and Ruto, only to see them smile sweetly at him.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Besides, the girls aren’t the only ones… Navi and Tatl worried about you as well…” Nabooru then said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“H – h – hey, I am only trying to m – make the situation less stressed… it’s – it’s n – not I actually c – care about him…” Tatl furiously responded.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh yeah? That blush on your face is telling me otherwise, sis.” Tael said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, s – s – shut up, Tael.”[/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]A few minutes later, the group got back up again, having rested well enough in order to proceed. Both Link and Zelda walked next to each other along the path, with Saria and Ruto behind them. Nabooru and Impa walked behind Saria and Ruto and behind them were Rauru and Darunia.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm, this is getting a bit suspicious…” Link then said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What makes you say that?” Zelda asked, confused.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s too quiet out here.” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I see your point. It’s like you’re actually expecting something to happen.” [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah. I’m sorry to sound paranoid, but it’s just how my past adventures have been.” [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We don’t blame you, kid. Considering what you have been through, it would have left a mark anyhow. Besides, we’re all together in this and, given our past encounters, anyone of us would feel the same.” Nabooru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed; everyone of us here had to grow up quicker than expected due to the memories of the Future That Almost Was having been added to us.” Saria said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That is something that actually surprises me, I thought that I alone would have that knowledge passed on to me…” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Time travel isn’t exactly a run-off-the-mill thing. I believe that our counterparts there must have transferred the knowledge they had at the time to us the moment you would be sent back in this time after Ganondorf’s defeat. This in turn would explain why we initially suspected that Ganondorf was up to no good at first; your warning to me simply confirmed this suspicion and allowed us to act accordingly.” Zelda said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link nodded at this, seeing the logic behind her reasoning. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“At least it allowed us to catch Ganondorf by surprise at that time, but to see him taking the Triforce of Power with him once we sealed him away here as he attacked us after his lies were exposed…” Impa said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The only thing that we must do is to take that Triforce piece from him so we can restore the Triforce itself and bring peace and prosperity back to Hyrule before we end him. If he relies on the Triforce of Power so much, it will critically weaken him once we take it away. That way we can ensure he will NEVER come back.” Rauru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. Once we have gained the extra power we need, we should be able to take them down, once and for all. That way Hyrule and Termina will be safe once more.” Link said, eager to defeat the menaces once and for all.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s the spirit! We shouldn’t dwell in the past and let bad memories get to us; we need to focus on the now.” Zelda said, smiling at seeing Link in high spirits again.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]For a few minutes, the group continued along the path, coming closer to the edge of the cliff that showed the forest in full view. But as they went on, they noticed several broken or turned over stone pillars along the path.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, looks like those fiends made a mess out of this place.” Link said, carefully climbing on a pillar to move over it and gently land on the path so they could continue on their way.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah. Why would they even do something like this out here?” Saria asked, following after Link along with Zelda and Ruto.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“They obviously want to obstruct our progress this way.” The Zora princess replied.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I see your point, but to do it so obviously out here like that…” Zelda said, scratching the back of her head as she moved next to Link, who seemed rather cautious now as he walked over an obvious crack in the path itself…[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Saria could have sworn she felt the path shake a bit, causing her to shiver as she walked to Link’s other side, with Ruto behind her. Nabooru and Impa looked around the area, while Rauru got off from the pillar and onto the same path as the others. [/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just as Darunia stepped on the path however, a large snap resonated through the area.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What was that?!” Ruto asked. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Right before any of the others could answer, the path on which the group stood on began to sport more cracks. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh no… RUN!” Impa shouted. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just as Link wanted to run to safety, one of his feet fell through a crack, causing Link to lose his balance and land on the ground, causing the stone he landed on to break completely, falling down a hole which it previously had covered, causing Link to scream in terror as he grabbed the edge of the nearest piece of stone, trying to pull himself up, only for that piece to break as well, causing Link to lose his grip and fell down the hole, causing him to land on a lower ground with a *THUD*. This time however, Link remained fully conscious, although he was dazed from the impact. Saria and Zelda soon fell through similar holes as more parts of the stone cover broke off, eventually taking the other Sages with it as well, each of them landing on a stone pathway where Link landed on previously, with Saria and Zelda helping him up.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“One of these days I’m REALLY going to fall apart if this keeps up.” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You’re not the only one who thinks like that…” Zelda said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But wait, are we underground now?!” Saria asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It looks like it. It’s like a cavern out here with lava all around us as well as a path we obviously have to go over to get out of here.” Impa said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Strange, this part reminds me of the temple we’ve been in about an hour ago, but there’s no way we could be all the way back there…” Nabooru said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The only differences are those stalactites and the apparent stairway thing out here…” Ruto said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, looks like we have no other choice but to move on in here.” Darunia said, while Link already begun with shooting the stalactites down to create makeshift platforms for the group, hopping over to them to where the staircase was that led to a familiar bridge, before moving to platforms in the center tunnel area, moving to a pathway that had yet another Fire Spouting Statue in the wall to the right. Waiting for the flame to go out, Link moved on towards another stalactite, with the Sages following close behind him as they journeyed onward through the hottest region of their world. A bigger stalactite was shot down which the entire group could stand on, which carried them over the lava towards a bridge which the group climbed on, shooting down two pillars through its connecting Crystal Switches to make a makeshift path that led towards a net spanning over the ceiling area, this time having rotating Fire Spouting Statues in the center of that net. Sighing, Link jumped up and grabbed the net, gradually making his way to the right while studying the pattern of the Fire Spouting Statue, getting the pattern of the flames down and making sure he was between the fire streams without being hit. Once he made it safely to the other side, Link let go of the net and landed on a stone bridge spanning the room right below, shooting at another Crystal Switch that brought a third pillar down while he waited for the others to arrive. Once the Sages had joined him, Link moved on over the now-downed pillar, before making his way up into a small room, where he spotted a grating in the ceiling.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s see how this works…” Link said as he took out his new Clawshot, which he fired towards it, the claw snagging the grating and allowing Link to shoot forward and hanging on the grating through the Clawshot itself. He carefully lowered the chain until he spotted a target for the hookshot, firing it on the hookshot and it took him towards a new platform, the Clawshot letting go and retracting back into its gun safely. The others all followed this example, although Darunia instead took a few steps behind and used a charged Goron Roll to propel himself to where the others were.[/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once they had gathered once more on a pathway, Zelda shot down several stalactites to make a makeshift path, while Saria shot down a 4th pillar with the same crystal on it to make it easier for the group to pass over to a more solid path. This led them upward to a floating platform containing a cage, which released fairies after Link and Saria broke it, much to Navi, Tatl and Tael’s surprise. The three fairies on their turn had remained silent and/or sought a hiding place to escape the heat while following the group. The group itself then hopped on another platform that was floating on the lava, which took them over a vast lava pool while on the way the group avoided two more Fire Spouting Statues.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow, I never knew this place was so complex… it really is like a labyrinth.” Link said as the group moved along.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed. The worst thing is that there’s no map around, so we have no idea where we’re going.” Zelda said, nodding as the group approached three stone platforms.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, low bridge!” Impa said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Timing their jumps carefully, the group got on the platforms and hopped back on the floating one before they would miss it and become trapped. Link also shot down more of the Stalactites after they went over the final platform, the four stalactites total giving the group a path towards a staircase. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh man… any deeper and we may reach the planet’s core…” Ruto said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That would be a bit too deep, but I see what you mean…” Impa said, before the group moved on the staircase and entered the open, dark hallway, right before they went on a slope, but this time they were more prepared and maintained balance as they slid down the path along the way…[/font][/size][/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group slid down the path and entered a very large and wide lava room, with a path going in a reversed ‘S’ pattern and two flame-spouting statures which rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, meaning that the group had to jump over the flames to avoid them. Moving along the path as best as they could, they jumped over the flames before hopping over the gaps between the smaller platforms, before climbing a ladder to a higher floor of the room, using the Hook- and Clawshot targets to take them to the different platforms that were present.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Is it me, or are we going in a U-turn here?” Saria asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We are going in such a turn, kid,” Nabooru said, seeing a large chasm at the far side of the room they were headed to, “Whoever designed this must have been quite inventive. I never thought that someone would even be able to make something this big.”[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think I may need a word with the Goron Elder in Snowhead. If this is supposed to be a mining facility, it definitely lacks maintenance with the broken paths and everything, provided he knows about this in the first place.” Darunia said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Do you think this place could have been here for a long time?” Rauru asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I consider that a decent possibility, seeing the state of the area itself as a whole…” Darunia replied.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Eventually landing at the platform at the edge of the chasm, Link first moved to feel the platform, feeling his hand easily sliding over it.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The path is slippery… and considering how wide this path is, this could be risky…” He said, getting back up.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But this is the only way we can go on, right?” Ruto asked.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is. I suggest we go in turns and wait several seconds between each other before we go. That way we won’t run the risk of bumping into each other along the way.” Link said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good idea. It gives us room to react accordingly in case one of us messes up or slows down…” Darunia said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, let’s see where this heads to…” Link said as he went in first, mostly to keep his friends safe by scouting the area for them as he hopped from the platform, landing on the slope which caused him to slide down along the way, automatically hopping from platform to platform once he reached the edges.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whoa! This goes quite fast- what the- ?!” Link then said, right before he slid right on top of another legged Bombchu, which instantly took off with him on it.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Ah crud, not this again?!” Link exclaimed as he was headed right for a looping when the Bombchu took off, the Bombchu making it safely through the looping.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whew, for a moment I thought that was going to- OH FOR THE LOVE OF FARORE!!” Link then exclaimed as he went onward, heading straight for a SECOND looping as he went on, also making it safely, before he went towards a door.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link jumped off the Bombchu before it collided with the door, blasting it open in turn, which in turn allowed Link to pass through the door, before he sat down in a safer part of the room where he waited for the others. It took about two minutes before the group was reunited again, each of them having been riding a legged Bombchu in turn, having done their best to stay on the track of where Link had gone to. [/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, at least we made it through here safely…” Ruto said after the group calmed down.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yep, now it’s only up to us to continue on this trip… I wonder if we’ll be reaching the exit anytime soon…” Saria said.[/font][/size][/font][/size]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Only one way to find out.” Link said, hopping down the hole, with the others following him.
[/font][/size][/font][/size]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 34: Going deeper…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link and the Sages landed on a platform with a lava tunnel directly ahead, on which Link took out his cane to make a platform appear on the lava. But before he went on it, he went to observe the path ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good grief, this goes even further down…” He said, noting the downward streaming of the lava and the curve ahead going downward…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say. This requires a lot more caution.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Darunia nodded.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We need to help Brother Link with supporting him as in keeping his balance while steering the platform, perhaps we can even aid him with it directional-wise…” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“A great idea; one mistake could make all of us become one with the lava.” Impa said, causing Link, Saria and Zelda to shudder at the mere thought of this.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“If we concentrate our powers on this, I am confident that we will make it to whatever destination lies ahead of us alive.” Rauru said, to which Link nodded, regaining his composure rapidly.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Concentrating our powers, as in sharing it?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes, at least on the focus.” Rauru said as the group got on the platform, with Link on the back. Being the heaviest, Darunia stood in the center and was able to use his posture to be the center of the area for the group to have a good grip on.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, are you all ready?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah. Let’s make a go for it.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ll support you in this, Link.” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. Well, here goes nothing.” Link said as he thrusted the cane forward, making the platform with the group on it move on the lava, in effect creating a trip one would make with a raft down a river, but with water instead of lava. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As they went down that lava path, the group would come across patches of lava that were a bright yellow in color with flames appearing from its surface.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I believe those patches are WAY TOO HOT for this thing…” Ruto said, gulping.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed. Make sure to avoid them at all costs!” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m doing the best I can, just be my eyes forward on this one!” Link replied, thrusting the cane where needed, with Saria and Zelda helping him in directions per instructions of Nabooru and Impa, while Ruto was shivering. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Thankfully, the group made it past a curve down to the left, before approaching another one which went back to the right while still going further downward. They safely avoided the patches of the yellow lava, but their troubles weren’t over yet…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’re approaching a lava-fall!” Impa exclaimed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Everybody, hang on!” Darunia said, pushing his weight down in the platform while holding a grip on everyone’s hands as the platform went over the edge of the lava-fall and fell down it, fortunately the platform itself remained in an upright position with the group on top of it, which in turn ensured that they made it safely down it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whew…” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Don’t rejoice too soon, Ruto; there’s another ride downstream coming up!” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And why are there holes in the walls ahead?” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The answer came soon enough as what appeared to be tentacle-like vines burst out from the wall, becoming an actual hindrance like nettles or parasitic tentacles. Thankfully, Impa and Nabooru were prepared as they shot the vines down while Link, aided by Saria and Zelda, kept going as the platform went further and further downstream and down a second lava-fall, arriving in a larger room where the lava was flowing more slowly, but there were patches of the incinerating hot yellow lava around further up ahead, as well as a stone platform to their left. This slow speed allowed the group to catch their breath for a moment while continuing on the lava river. But being in such a foreign area wasn’t exactly comfortable for everyone after all…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“My kingdom for a map! Just a simple map so we finally know where we are or where we are even going!!” Ruto exclaimed, observing the area.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Relax, once we get through this, we may finally be able to find out where this is.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link remained determined, guiding the platform over the red and black lava, using Saria’s help to guide the group around the yellow lava safely, before the group came across what appeared to be a doorway with an opening the group had to climb into after disembarking from the platform on the stone path in front of the door. Saria sighed as the group came closer to the door.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“A Rupee for your thoughts?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Nothing much, just trying to get my mind off the heat out here; if this keeps up we all will melt on the surface.” She replied, to which Link nodded in understanding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think we should all take a cool dip in a pool or something once we get out of here; this way we will be able to cool off rapidly.” He then said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I agree.” [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After climbing up into the opening one by one and sliding down the path it had, Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto, Nabooru, Impa, Darunia and Rauru arrived in a totally different room… The whole area was completely pitch black, with the only light coming from a glowing, golden sphere on a lower platform ahead and fire-spouting statues on a few platforms ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great… just what we needed…” Nabooru said, noticing the platforms were surrounded by almost infinite blackness, like an abyss.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now we need to be careful that we don’t fall down.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, in the name of Din, you have to be joking! They REALLY spread these around to spite us!” Link then exclaimed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh?!” Impa asked, only for Link to point out the unmistakable outline of yet ANOTHER Floormaster present on the platform that the sphere on its turn stood on, the creature just moving to and fro around the pedestal the sphere laid on, as if it was patrolling around it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa blinked at this, not exactly at the appearance of the Floormaster itself, but the fact that Zelda was audibly growling at the sight of the disembodied hand, clearly showing that the Princess hated these creatures to the core. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good thing that there’s a way to take these freaks out safely from here!” Link said, taking out a Fire Arrow and aimed carefully at the Floormaster, before firing the arrow, scoring a direct hit at the creature which in turn split into three… and subsequently ran off the platform to their doom in the abyss below.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Phew…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ganondorf and/or Majora placed these around; it definitely proves their sadism to the core.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I second that.” Zelda said.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group moved one by one on the platform that contained the golden-yellow sphere. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This puzzle again…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Looks like this kind of thing is popular…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What do we do with this?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ll take it with us and see where its corresponding pyramid pedestal is so we can put it on…” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But there may still be dangers ahead…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then I suggest this: Some of us will go ahead and eliminate all sentient enemies around; the Fire Spouting statues can be avoided by walking between the flames so they won’t be bothered by it.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great idea. That way we’ll also eliminate the threats ahead and can pass onward to our destination.” Link said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, who goes ahead?” Rauru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll go first for sure; I need to let off some steam anyway.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll go with you.” Zelda said, taking up arms herself.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right, let’s go.” Link said, getting ready to tackle the dangers ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll come along, so I’ll watch your backs, just in case.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link and Zelda nodded at this, before hopping down to a platform with the first rotating flame spouting statue, which fortunately had only one part which spouted fire out. Moving past it, Link, Zelda and Impa hopped down to an apparent empty platform, only for Impa’s shadow to grow after a few seconds.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Impa, watch your shadow!” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Looking down, Impa indeed noticed her Shadow growing and hopped to the side, just as another Wallmaster landed on the ground, which was soon defeated by Zelda herself. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thanks, princess. I understand your animosity for these sneaky creatures.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No problem.” Zelda said, before the three moved on to a platform that had another Fire Spouting Statue, but this time with TWO sides spouting fire. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Approaching the edge of the platform, they noticed that the final platform before the path contained TWO more Floormasters, which Link and Zelda took out with Fire Arrows while Impa was on the lookout for the flames coming up from behind them. While most of the tiny Floormasters ran off the platform or fell off of it due to the splitting, Link and Zelda used regular arrows to take out the two tiny Floormasters that remained on the platform, before they and Impa moved onto the platform, where they signaled for the others to come.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]A few minutes later, Saria, Ruto, Nabooru, Darunia and Rauru, with Rauru carrying the sphere, joined the three on the last platform, after which Link and Zelda hopped on the path just below, entering a hallway. There they saw a platform already present in the lava, but at the far side of the lava ditch it was in. Link then used his cane to shoot at the platform, making it bounce off the side and float towards them. Once it was at their side of the ditch, the group moved onto the platform, after which Link used the rod again to make it float to the other side, where the group felt they had to go. Saria stretched and yawned as this went on, while the others were more eager to get out of the whole place…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once at the other side, the group climbed up on the pathway, with Rauru handing the sphere to Darunia so he could climb up on the path, before proceeding towards the next room. Link and Zelda went on ahead, before using their bow and arrows to take out several Fire Keese that were present in the room, safeguarding Darunia as he went to place the sphere on the pyramid pedestal which the group had seen in a crevice to their left. The second Darunia laid the sphere on its pedestal, a door on the far side of the room began to turn around in a counter-clockwise direction for a full 180 degrees, making the opening now on the upside instead of on the downside. Now free to look around the room, the group looked to their left and eventually spotted a large statue that looked like an elderly person in appearance. It was nowhere near the looks of Rauru however, this one had a nigh-ethereal appearance to it, yet it was still solid. But the striking thing was that this one had an emblem on the down-center piece of its robe… the emblem that was also present on the Fire Medallion which Darunia had![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?! Is this supposed to be a Sage?” Darunia asked, blinking as he compared the emblem with his medallion.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Possibly. It could very well be one of the Ancient Sages that existed in Hyrule many years before you were even born.” Rauru said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow, so this statue must have been made in its honor, right?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That could be possible, or it could have passed its initial duties on to its successor and settled to guard these parts, I don’t know for sure.” Rauru replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm…” Link said with a nod, thinking.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hey, I found the silver pedestal; it’s on the other side of this lava path.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But where’s the sphere?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I don’t know; it’s could be on a higher area or a different place we haven’t been in yet.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I see. Well then, I guess we should move to the other opening then and see where the sphere is…” Zelda said, before the group moved on, hopping over the lava ditch and moving to the opening in the door, climbing up the stairs and entering the opening, which led to another slope. Sliding down it, the group arrived in a very different lava room. While a platform was already present, the red and black lava was flowing downward, while at the sides flowed the incinerating hot yellow lava. At the far side of the room was a cracked door.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Moving on the platform, Link and the Sages carefully made their way to the door, the platform moving slowly so Darunia, Impa, Nabooru and Rauru had the chance to toss a couple of bombs at the door to make it burst. Once the door was open, the group hopped into the next room before they turned around upon hearing a bubbling sound, seeing the platform they stood on topple over into the yellow-hot lava, submerging into it in a matter of seconds, never to be seen again.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yikes, good thing we jumped off of it in time.” Saria commented.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’d better not fall down from here either…” Ruto said, looking ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the others looked on as well, they could see they were standing on top of large, solid, stone pillars that stood apparently VERY high, as they saw yellow lava flowing several tens to a hundred meters below their position. Undeterred, Link made his way over the platforms while watching his step, entering a tunnel on the far side of the room. Once there, he again waited for the others, something which the Sages did appreciate. After the group was back together, they went down into a tunnel, only for Link to step on a slope, causing him to slip and, although he rapidly regained his balance, he now began to slide on the path he was on, down towards a curve to the left. The Sages followed him one after the other, intent on following him to see where he would end up as well as following his movements.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link managed to jump over a flame that another fire-breathing statue was spewing over the path, before he shifted his weight to the right to prevent him from going off the path and falling into the lava, which was now a boiling red/orange. He wanted to scream as he headed right for a pool of that red/orange lava, until he also spotted a swinging vine moving to and fro over it slowly. Timing his jump well, he then leapt right off the edge of the path, grabbing the vine and using its momentum to swing safely to the other side, before he let go of the rope and landed on a last bit of the slope, before he jumped down a large hole, ending up in the room with the statue of the Ancient Sage, but now on a higher floor of the room. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow, one of these days I’m going to be a professional adventurer to the next level…” He said to himself, just as a female yelp came closer. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Looking up, he spread his arms forward and promptly caught Saria in his arms.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Gotcha.” He said, causing Saria to blush, before Link set her down, in time for him to catch Zelda in the same fashion, making Zelda blush in turn, after which Link repeated this gesture with Ruto, just as Navi, Tatl and Tael approached. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Being the more swift and agile ones, Nabooru and Impa landed gracefully on their feet  once they arrived in the area, with Rauru and Darunia being the last to arrive.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Okay, so we’re back in the Statue Room… and I have located the Silver Sphere.” Impa said, pointing to the other side.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“There’s Hookshot targets around as well, so we can come back to the higher floor.” Link said, while Impa went to ‘collect’ the Silver Sphere to toss it to the lower level, where Nabooru went to put it on its pedestal.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once the Silver Sphere was in place as well, the statue began to move, stepping straight into the lava ditch, but unbothered by the lava itself! Eventually it stood still between the platforms, waiting.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh? It stopped…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Is it waiting for something?” Ruto asked[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Maybe we have to get on top of it?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s worth a try.” Link said, spotting a Hookshot target on the back of the statue and used his Hookshot to pull himself to it, standing on top of the statue shortly, where he waited for the others. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]He didn’t have to wait long though as the others soon used either their own Hookshots or jumped on top of the statue’s head to join him on top of it. Once everyone stood on top of the statue, it began to stir and move again, walking steadily through the red/orange lava without melting itself, taking the group to a staircase at the far side of the lava ditch. Once it had arrived there, the group  hopped off the statue, standing in front of the staircase, before turning around to face the Statue.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you, sir.” Link said out of politeness.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is an honor to serve heroes such as yourself, even when one of them happens to be my successor.” It replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So you have been a Sage at one point after all?” Darunia asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. In fact, I was the Sage of Fire before you were born, Darunia. Back then, I was charged to safeguard the Fire Temple itself, but when the time of finding a successor came near, I retired of my duties and chose to settle here in what used to be a mining facility for the Gorons in Snowhead, until the area itself became nigh-impassable when evil forces manifested themselves in here.” It said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I understand. Can you help us to get out of here?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The exit can be found right on top of the staircase behind you. It hides a portal that will take you back to the stone circle in the area from where this sanctuary can be accessed. But before you leave, I must warn you of something. While your exploration in here proved successful in wiping out the forces occupying this place, the evil beings known as Ganondorf and Majora have successfully staged an attack from the Great Bay area and conquered most of Termina. The only ‘safe’ areas that remain there are Romani Ranch, Zora Hall, the Deku Palace and Goron Village. The rest was taken over swiftly.” It said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“WHAT?!” Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto, Nabooru, Impa, Darunia and Rauru exclaimed in unison.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Your travel here was a diversion created by those two in order to conquer the land known as Termina. Their forces are largely concentrated in the Ikana Region, in particular the Stone Tower Temple. The only way to deal significant damage to them there is when you have, among other weapons, arrowheads that burn, freeze and/or carry the sacred golden light. I have deciphered the auras of the beings, hence I was made aware of them and your presence.” The Ancient Fire Sage said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ve been played for fools… we’ll get them for this!” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Your quest will be getting harder as you go, but do not fear. I will be giving you something that will come of good use to you all. Receive it now.” The Ancient Fire Sage said, before a set of eight red/orange spheres were generated by him, each of them vanishing in one of the group members respectively. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh?! What did we get?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“From now, once you’re in a stable position to attack the enemy, you can hold back on your strikes to increase the damage done. Remember, while you will be able to inflict more damage, the charging position leaves you vulnerable, but regardless of this, this kind of ‘burst’ works with most of your weapons, not just your blades, but also with certain ranged weapons, like arrows.” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So now we can inflict more damage with arrows too? That’s cool!” Link said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now go and save Hyrule and Termina… and the world.” The Ancient Fire Sage said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Don’t worry, we will.” Link said, before the group left to ascend the staircase.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Take care, young ones.” The Ancient Fire Sage said, before the group was gone.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Ascending up the staircase, the group came across a pillar on top of a pedestal. The room itself had lava flowing around the path that was leading only to the staircase above. Once the group stood in front of the pillar however, the pillar began to tremble, before it magically dragged itself backwards, as if a mechanism underneath it had been triggered. Upon locking itself at the far side of the platform, the part where the pillar first stood on then began to emanate a glowing blue circle on the ground. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Reminds me of the temples and dungeons I explored before, they got me outside like this too.” Link said as he stepped inside the blue circle, with Saria and Zelda following him right away, Ruto being next. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru, Impa, Darunia and Rauru joined in as well, after which the light from the circle seemed to move upward to the ceiling, taking the whole group along in the air, teleporting them to just beside the Stone Circle they had seen from where they had located the old man’s house. Looking around, they could already see dark clouds bellowing over Ikana Canyon, the clouds being the darkest and more menacing around and above the Stone Tower Temple. The only places with clear sky were indeed visible over the ranch, the swamp, the Goron Village and around Zora Cape, but for the rest it was cloudy to dark, as if the evil that has infested it affected the climate once more. Link grew visibly frustrated, which Zelda noticed by the way Link had formed his hands into fists, the knuckles turning slowly turning white. If he would have nails, he could have easily penetrated through the skin of the palm, drawing blood. She tried to put him at ease by laying a hand on his shoulder, causing Link to turn to her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I know how you must be feeling right now, Link…” She said, to which Link nodded.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The worst thing about it is that they are obviously laughing their heads off about this, as if they are having little to no trouble in doing things their way at their own leisure, while we have to work so hard to get everything back the way it was.” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda nodded in understanding, sighing herself. Impa looked at the two, being concerned for them. It was then that she noticed something odd; upon the two holding hands, both of their respective Triforce Pieces, being the ones of Wisdom and Courage, were glowing briefly on the backs of their hands in pure harmony. This caused Impa to look around, but she didn’t sense Ganondorf’s presence around the area overall. But why were their pieces glowing like that? Was it some kind of connection between them? Or was there something else going on altogether? This confusion with her only grew when she felt her own Medallion, the Shadow Medallion, glowing in a similar fashion. She wondered if this had something to do with the current state of affairs, or that something else had been the cause of this, like awakening powers or perhaps another untold legend? It brought confusion to the Sheikah woman in a way where she decided against revealing it to the others until she had sufficient answers to find out which of her questions were feasibly plausible in any form or fashion or otherwise had done some research of her own on this. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We should head back to Termina and see what we possibly can save on this instant… if the enemy has concentrated their forces around Ikana, we should figure out a way to cleanse the least occupied parts first to secure the area as a whole…” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I see you have returned from the sanctuary safely…” The old man then said, approaching the group.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. We cleansed it of the evil monsters…” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“… but we learned before we got back here that we were lured into a trap; by having us distracted with cleansing the sanctuary, Ganondorf and Majora attacked and conquered most of Termina.” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes, this is most inconvenient. However, all is not lost, as you have most of the tools to combat the evil forces within Termina itself. I also got word from a messenger of the Zora Tribe whom managed to find his way up to here during the attack. He told me that the Zora Tribe in Termina has pulled back into Zora Cape as they have gathered several items for you to use in this. The quickest way to get there is to go down the well and find a path that goes around and over the forest area to reach the Zora cape from there. Also, the main source of the evil in Termina has been concentrated around the Stone Tower Temple, so be very cautious. I have been watching the dark clouds gathering over the Stone Tower area and I could feel a dark presence emanating from it.” The Old Man said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you. We will proceed to the Zora Cape as soon as possible.” Rauru said, nodding, before the group departed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Take care, young ones. May the Goddesses give you the power, wisdom and courage you need to undertake this quest.” The Old Man said, waving them off.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group once more traveled towards the well, using its elevator to move back into the cavern, this time moving down towards a beach area of a different part of Termina altogether. To their surprise, a Goron was waiting for them. They moved to him to see why he was here.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, this is a surprise.” The Goron said as they approached him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is a Goron like you doing out here for?” Ruto asked, blinking.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m more of a wanderer, I like to travel around places. But with the current state of affairs, I’ve been taking up some more risky tasks, like helping fellow travelers and warriors alike.” The Goron said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I see.” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Anyway, I met the old man shortly before you exited the sanctuary and asked me to help you get to Zora Cape without taking the proverbial long detour. I’ll show you a path will lead you to the cave quickly, but watch out; I’ve heard that the forces of evil are preparing an attack.” He said, before balling up and rolling forward, straight through a wooden barrier as he moved on over the stone path there to a large cavern-like area, squashing an unsuspecting Lizalfos along the way…
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 35: Wisdom and Courage against Insanity[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group followed the traveling Goron, they entered a large, wide area within the stone cavern. The Goron itself dashed onward, squashing a few more Lizalfos while causing the others to flee. But just as the Goron had made it to the other side and passed through the building, the door closed, while a barrier locked itself behind Link and the Sages, trapping them inside the large room![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?!” Rauru and Darunia exclaimed as this happened.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group itself looked around as the area itself darkened a little, wondering what was going on, right before a spotlight was shining on the group from above.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, you managed to survive the lava outpost,” a dark, chilling voice said, addressing the group, “too bad you couldn’t prevent our conquest of Termina…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group looked forward, they could see something floating ahead in front of them. It had the appearance of a mask, but it was heart-shaped with spikes on top and the sides, while at the front were two, soul-piercing eyes! It was Majora, or better yet, the MASK of Majora![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You!” Link growled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Surprised to see me again? I am also surprised to see you back in the flesh as well…” Majora’s Mask said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link’s hands twitched, out of instinct moving to grab his sword and shield, but before he could even do so, a set of tendrils lashed out to the group, keeping them suspended for the time being as they struggled to get free.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You eight have been quite a thorn in the sides of both Ganondorf and myself, hence I decided to take matters in my own hands. It’s high time you’ll come to understand that you are powerless to stop us, no matter how much you love to try to prove otherwise.” Majora said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh yeah? You’ll be eating those words once we’re through with you!” Link snapped.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Really now? I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Let’s see how you can do anything when you can’t even MOVE!” Majora said, right before it began to shake all around, a malevolent aura emanating from the mask, striking the captured hero and promptly turned him into a stone statue, petrifying him![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“LINK!!” Zelda exclaimed, right before she too was turned into stone, much to Impa’s horror.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What have you done?!” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Those two simply wouldn’t shut up. Might as well let you join them.” Majora said, cackling as he also turned Saria into stone. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“CURSE YOU!” Nabooru snapped.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Curse me? Funny you should say that, since I am the one who is capable of cursing people!” Majora laughed, before promptly turning Nabooru into stone, quickly followed by Ruto, Darunia and Rauru, leaving only Impa.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?! This is intolerable!” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Maybe so. Too bad you can’t do anything against it.” Majora said, before turning Impa to stone as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once he was done with petrifying the entire group, Majora retracted the tendrils it used to hold the now-petrified group on.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Heh, heh… this reminds me of the time I turned that young Deku boy into a tree and used its soul to curse that forest boy with… hopefully this will put an end to your pointless battle against Ganondorf and me…” Majora said, laughing…  before he stopped as a glow appeared on the back of Link’s right hand.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?!” Majora asked, just as the glow intensified… before a magic sphere appeared from it, beginning to engulf the petrified group until the bright light hid them from sight. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Creaking sounds followed, right before a dull explosion was heard, sending stone fragments all over the area. As the light shrunk after about a minute or two, the Six Sages were standing there, back to normal as if nothing happened, but the glowing sphere remained…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh?! What’s going on?!” Saria asked, looking herself over to see that she was perfectly fine, as were the other five Sages.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s what I want to know, too!” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, where’s Link and Zelda?!” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Before any of the others could answer, the entire group then heard the unmistakable sounds of bones snapping and/or twisting around, before a humanoid shape appeared from the sphere, moving in a standing position. As the light eventually faded, the group could see that there was one person standing there… whom had the distinct appearance of Fierce Deity Link and looked like him in every way, complete with Link’s eyes, the prominent facial markings on his forehead and around his eyes, the lunar crest and triangle on the breast plate of his armor and the crest of the Hyrulean Royal Family underneath it, coupled with… wait what?! [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, where is Zelda?!” Nabooru asked, just as Rauru spotted something glowing on the back of the Fierce Deity Link’s hand… it were not one, but TWO pieces of the Triforce… the ones of Wisdom and Courage![/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Before Rauru could even comment, he could see that Majora’s Mask was trembling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No, no, no, no, NO! THIS CAN’T BE!!” It howled in fear, making Fierce Deity Link growl, before dashing forward and struck the Mask with his Double-Helix Sword, severing the tendrils at its back in the process which promptly disintegrated into nothingness.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Majora’s Mask was sent wobbling downward to the back, obviously heavily damaged, before it emitted a shriek that opened the door on the far side of the area, before an armada of Dinolfos and Stalfos entered the area, ready to attack, while Majora’s Mask went in retreat. Fierce Deity Link narrowed his eyes, his sword beginning to emit the glow that meant that a Sword Beam was ready to be fired on the target.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll try to explain things later, but now is not the time!” He said to the Sages, who then got ready to attack as well, although blinking at the fact that, while Fierce Deity Link retained his voice, it almost appeared as if there was a different pitch to it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Dinolfos and Stalfos attacked, Fierce Deity Link and the Sages retaliated with great vigor, plowing through the enemy forces with ease. Their new powers did help in this as the Dinolfos were taken out with one hit (although their powered Swords and the use of their skills like the Ending Blow, Mortal Blow, Jump Strike and Great Spin contributed a lot to this) and they also had lesser trouble in dealing with the Stalfos, as they went down in about two to three strikes altogether. Several of the more unlucky Dinolfos were literally cut in two, either horizontally or vertically, just as more of them came in, this time accompanied by two Eyegores, four spear-wielding Moblins, five Ball and Chain Troopers and two trident-wielding Taros. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Everybody, hang on!” Darunia said as he balled up, rolling a bit forward as he apparently charged at the incoming enemies, right before jumping up and smashing onto the ground with an enormous Goron Pound, crushing several Stalfos and Dinolfos in its wake and sending two of the Moblins down, right before Fierce Deity Link used his Sword Beams to down the two other, charging Moblins, in effect protecting Saria and Ruto as they tackled the Eyegores. Impa clashed her daggers with the tridents of the Taros that attacked her, turning and twisting around with great flexibility and agility to keep the two occupied, before stabbing one of them in the neck, cutting its jugular vein which killed the Taros instantly, after which Impa slashed the trident of the other in two, using the momentum to catch the creature’s neck between her legs in a scissor-like motion, twisting her legs to snap the neck in question, ceasing the struggles of the other Taros as well. Rauru used his Light-based magic to disintegrate a decent portion of the Stalfos and Dinolfos to give the others some reprieve and the chance to properly recover and focus on the remaining attackers. Saria managed to trap several enemies among her vines, after which she and Ruto worked together to create a waterspout that sent them flying and crashing around the area, to the point of even crashing against other enemies. Just then, Nabooru clocked several Iron Knuckles entering the room, making her nervous, but retained her determined composure.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We have Iron Knuckles up ahead!” She shouted.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Got them!” Fierce Deity Link said, beginning to blast them with his Sword Beams, magically burning them to get rid of the outer armor. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa did her best to beat as many enemies as she could, but at times when she had some reprieve, she couldn’t help to wonder what has happened to Zelda as she was absent from the battle.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You worry about Zelda?” Rauru then asked after nailing a Dinolfos trying to pull off a sneak attack on her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah…” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“She’s still with us, but it appears that Link somehow has gained her Triforce Piece for the time being…” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What? Link has her Triforce of Wisdom?! But how?!” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That is something that only Link can answer. I do not exactly know how, but I believe that this is definitely Zelda’s doing…” Rauru said, just as Majora’s Mask re-entered the field after Fierce Deity Link decimated the Iron Knuckles and Saria and Ruto finished off the Eyegores, while the remainder of the Stalfos and Dinolfos were finished off by the remaining Sages.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So… you are more persistent than I thought…” Majora said, getting angry as he observed the group.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So are you for being an obnoxious prick that takes pleasure in making other people’s lives a living hell!” Fierce Deity Link retorted.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmph, whatever. If you think you can take us on still…” The mask then said, before emanating a glow of its own as it apparently began to transform.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Fierce Deity Link and the Sages had to shield their eyes for a moment until the glow diminished, but where Fierce Deity Link remained serious, the Sages were either in shock or scared, as Majora’s Mask became Majora’s Wrath, a grotesque humanoid form with many colors littered across its body, with a face that had a third eye on the forehead and long tentacles on its hands. While the Sages were horrified at this tall, grotesque form of Majora, Fierce Deity Link was more than ready to attack.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now, I will make sure you will STAY dead!” Majora roared.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Fat chance, freak, have some of this!” Fierce Deity Link snapped as he unleashed a Sword Beam to magically burn Majora, before dashing at him and used a jump attack to strike at him, slashing his leg.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Majora howled in pain as Fierce Deity Link kept slashing away at him before he recovered, ready to strike Fierce Deity Link with his long tentacles, only to be intercepted by an arrow courtesy of Saria, giving the others the opportunity to get some blows in themselves. Darunia charged up ahead with a spiked Goron Roll, dashing into Majora and slamming him against the wall, striking him a few times so that the others could come closer and deal some damage in themselves. Saria just smacked him with her sword several times, Ruto preferred the use of her Boomerang to stun him. Rauru used his Light-based magic attacks to burn him with the power of Light, where as Nabooru and Impa both used their blades as well, in effect making Majora suffer quite a beating before Majora threw the group off, growling.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Majora was heavily injured, some of its tendrils had been severed, but he was still alive![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Don’t think that this is over yet, you fools,” He snarled, getting up, “you may have won this battle, but this is only a minor setback compared to what we have achieved!”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Save your breath, maniac! You will get your dues and Ganondorf will also pay for what he has done to this land AND to us!” Fierce Deity Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh yeah? Then how about you come to our new castle to find out if you can do just that?” Majora then taunted.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, trust us, we will.” Darunia said, slamming his fists together as he was eager to deal some pain.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’d love to see you try… if you even can GET there, that is…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We will see, you filthy animal, but whatever happens once we do, YOU will not live long enough to see us beating Ganondorf once and for all!” Fierce Deity Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Impudent fools… you haven’t seen the last of me!” Majora then snapped, before vanishing altogether, leaving the group alone in stunned silence.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Did he just… flee like a coward?!” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Maybe, or it is simply a tactic of his, as if he wanted to see what we’ve been capable of so far…” Fierce Deity Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Saria, Nabooru and Darunia nodded at this.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Link, what happened to Zelda?” Impa then asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hm? Oh, I’m sorry…” He said, before taking the Fierce Deity Mask off, reverting Link back to his normal state… while at the same time a glow appeared right next to Link… which then turned into the aforementioned Hyrulean princess herself, making the remaining Sages blink.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What happened to you, Zelda?” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda however smiled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, what technically happened is that, for a brief moment, I lent my powers to Link.” She said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What?! But how?!” Rauru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think these might explain it…” Link said as he and Zelda both showed their still-glowing Triforce pieces on their hands.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I… see…” Impa said, still confused.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What basically happened is that, while we all were turned into stone by Majora, my Triforce piece activated itself and began to envelop me in a glow, as if restoring me back to normal. This in turn engulfed Zelda as well, triggering her Triforce piece in kind.” Link began.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“While Link put on his Fierce Deity’s Mask as he wanted to deal pain to Majora for what he did to us, I felt that he could use some extra help with this, so I decided, much to Link’s own surprise, to lend my powers to him which in turn turned you lot back to normal.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“How is that even possible?” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, according to the legend of the Triforce, those who bear part of it have benefits of its power; it could protect them from specific curses or areas, have the curse affect them temporarily or it affects them in a different fashion. Either way, while either piece gives the wielder their own set of mystical abilities and powers, it appears that Wisdom and Courage hold an equal share of power within them; whereas Link’s determination to save us and the lands around us while defeating the enemy gives him the courage to do whatever it takes to achieve those goals, Zelda’s wisdom allowed her to make the right decisions to do what she feels necessary to aid others in any field, including battle and recovery. On top of that, The Triforce of Courage has proven to protect Link from evil magic to some extent.” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Sages could see the logic in that; it explained why Link was able to return back to normal on his own accord and, with Zelda’s added power and wisdom, the Triforce of Courage could expand its own influence over to the Sages in turn.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But how come you weren’t here with us physically? We saw Fierce Deity Link with us, but not you…” Saria said to Zelda.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, I have to tell you that I did notice Fierce Deity Link having Zelda’s Triforce piece as well as the crest of the Hyrule Royal Family on his armor…” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That was actually a bit of a mutual agreement between us, as an adaptation to my initial plan…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You see, when I wanted to transform into the Fierce Deity using the purified mask after I turned back to normal, Zelda stopped me for a brief moment, telling me that she wanted to give me her powers in order to save you and beat the living daylights out of Majora. I initially was against the idea as it would leave her vulnerable or even worse than that, something that Zelda herself was aware of.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Which is why I decided to pull off a tricky and risky maneuver. Once I told him about this plan and that it would be certain it would help in our goals of saving you, beating Majora and keeping me safe, Link conceded and allowed me to do what was necessary to pull it off. When Link put the Fierce Deity Mask and was about to transform, I transferred my powers as well as my soul into him, which in turn caused my body to initially vanish.” Zelda replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, technically speaking, you used your powers to fuse yourself with Link to give him the power needed to revive us and beat Majora?” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes,” Zelda said, “once Majora would be beaten, we would reverse this process so it would bring us back to normal, as you can see here.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa sighed of relief.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I didn’t know you could actually do something like that.” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“To be honest, I was initially having some second thoughts about it myself, but it appears my own status as well as the determination of Link convinced me to go through with it.” Zelda said, to which Link sheepishly grinned.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Sages all smiled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“At least we’re fine for now…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, what about that Goron who wanted to guide us?!” Ruto then said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh no! Let’s find him!” Link said as he moved off with the Sages in tow to the opened door, moving to the right to look for the Goron.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Moving through the stone cavern in their rush to find the Goron guide, the group eventually arrived in a different landscape, as if they had taken a detour and ended up at the coast. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Where is he?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Beats me; he could have rolled onward while we were busy dealing with Majora.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Look, I can see Zora Cape up ahead! We must have reached a different side of the Great Bay Coast altogether!” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“There’s a path leading downward towards a small dock. Let’s go, perhaps the Goron must have gone that way.” Link said, hopping down to the path and ran downward.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Sages followed Link as he moved towards the dock, with Link noticing a few boats out once they were closer to it. The area appeared to be secluded, ideal for a hermit or someone like that. Once they arrived at the house, the Goron was waiting for them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What happened?” The Goron asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We got ambushed by Majora once you had a lead on us. We managed to defeat him this time, but he fled before we could deliver the killing strike.” Link said, feeling that would be enough information.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Goron nodded.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You can use these boats to reach Zora Cape. Just be careful not to be spotted by enemy soldiers on the coast.” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thanks for the heads up.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Don’t mention it.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]With that, the group got on one of the boats and, once it started, Darunia steered it towards Zora Cape. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Already the group could feel the effects of the cursed environment as the air seemed a bit more dense than usual and the water had regained its murky appearance. Link sighed in sadness, knowing that his efforts to cleanse this land had apparently become undone. Saria and Zelda both put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, to which he smiled, acknowledging it with a nod of gratitude. Watching this, Impa realized that the children of the group were a lot more mature than they apparently seemed in appearance. Then again, the recent events aren’t something one could take for granted. Thankfully, the trip towards Zora Cape was uneventful as Link chose to go around the back, where he had to play the New Wave Bossa Nova in order to gain access to the Great Bay Temple in the far distance. Upon arriving on the back entrance, the group went off the boat and entered the Zora Hall, where the Zora people, including the Indigo-go’s, the most famous band in Termina, had gathered. The Zoras saw them and, recognizing them, were elated to see friendly people around. Upon being asked why the Zoras had pulled back inside the hall, the explanation was simple; the corruption of the area as well as the conquest done by Ganondorf and Majora led them to pull back into their safe haven, but this did leave Lulu unable to go out to the Marine Research Laboratory at the Coast in order to check on her children. On top of that, the rivers now saw an expansion of their more hostile counterparts, the River Zoras, whom have attacked several of the Sea Zoras, of which Ruto was its princess, as well as other denizens, mostly for being just too close to their territory and also because Sea Zoras and River Zoras don’t get along with each other as well… [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“… and now you plan to put an end to the threat that Ganondorf and Majora pose?” Lulu, the singer of the Indigo-go’s asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. We wish to bring Hyrule and Termina back into an era of peace and prosperity, the way it should have been.” Princess Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Lulu nodded at this, understanding what Ruto was getting at.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“However, equipped as you are, you may not be able to do much as it is; security has been ramped up a lot ever since word got out of you having raided some of their outposts. Fortunately, we managed to raid several items from those areas as spoils of treasure when we pulled our comrades back. I believe they will be of great use to you.” She said, just as a few Zoras came, carrying a chest to the group. Opening the chest, the group blinked at what they saw.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ve been working to prepare these items properly for you. One of which being arrows that can be combined with Bombs, creating Bomb Arrows, which can be used to detonate targets at great distances which can’t be reached by either Bombs or Bombchus.” Lulu said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s cool!” Link said, taking the arrows as he felt that they could use them well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We also have Ice Arrows for you, to freeze enemies and create ice platforms on water-based surfaces.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sweet!” Zelda said, as she and Link took the Ice Arrows as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“For our Princess, we give this Medallion.” Lulu then said, giving Ruto a medallion that had a lightning-bolt like image on it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is this?” Princess Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This is known as the ‘Ether Medallion’. It can be used to strike at airborne targets due to it launching an attack in the atmosphere. Ground-based enemies or enemies that aren’t directly killed will end up frozen, as if they’re frozen with Ice Arrows or an Ice Rod, which is something we have here.” Lulu said, taking the Ice Rod out, while Ruto accepted the Ether Medallion.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh? Another Powder Keg for me?” Darunia asked, taking one.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Not just this one; we’ve learned that these things have been scattered throughout Hyrule and Termina within Treasure Chests and through Goron Merchants whom have hidden themselves well. Find them to restock if you so desire.” Lulu said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s great to hear.” Darunia said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, is this the book of Mudora?” Rauru asked as he picked up a green book.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think so, it has some ancient text and translations inside…” Lulu, showing confusion.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is. This book is filled with Hylian lore and stories and also offers translations to text that are written in the Ancient Hylian Language… this could come in handy indeed. Where did you find this?!” Rauru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“One of the villagers took this book with him as something he felt salvageable when he had to evacuate Kakariko Village. He took it with him to the Village of Refugees and hid it before he was ultimately captured by Ganondorf and Majora’s Troops during the attack from the Forest outpost. Oh, before I forget, there’s a smith around here that can upgrade your gloves and/or bracelets so you can push and pull heavier stuff along the way. Some obstacles may require a combined effort to move however.” Lulu said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So that will be like everyone having a variation of the Silver Gauntlets then? Those gloves were also useful in lifting heavy objects and all…” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“In a way, yes.“ Lulu said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And what about these capes?” Impa asked, picking up a set of capes.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These are a special kind of Magic Capes that will, when its magic is activated, will render the wearer invisible to the naked eye, allowing them to bypass certain enemies, barriers and hazards at will. However, it won’t work against tougher or more intelligent enemies, against people whom have eyes that can see the truth and it drains the wearer’s magic power greatly upon prolonged use; once their magic power runs out, it’ll be like they’re wearing a normal, old-fashioned cape and makes them visible to everyone and everything once more.” Lulu said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm, we’ll take them anyway; they could be useful to us some time…” Impa said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright.” Lulu said as the items were taken by the group.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These Bomb Arrows look really cool! We could wreck some distant havoc on enemies.” Zelda said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Use them wisely though; despite your plans, keep in mind that Bomb arrows will combine and through that CONSUME an arrow AND a bomb together. So be on the lookout for things that can help in increasing your ammo capacity before you run out of either bombs, arrows or both.” Lulu said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, we’ll keep that in mind.” Link said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Lulu nodded with a smile, before giggling as she saw Ruto spending some time with the other band members Evan, Japas and Tijo. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, how have things been around here?” Link then asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Lulu turned to Link.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ve been holding out as best as we can. We’ve been working on a song whom we have decided to dedicate to Mikau, our former guitarist whom had regrettably passed away after being gravely injured by Gerudo Pirates while he tried to get the eggs they stole from me back. Although I didn’t realize it at first, it was thanks to you and his spirit that the eggs, as well as my voice, have returned.” Lulu said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link nodded, as the group decided to relax for a bit inside Zora Hall, which in turn gave them room to change back in their normal outfits, seeing as they had still been wearing the Goron Tunics during their trip through the sanctuary…
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 36: Back to the land of the dead[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]In Zora Cape, Link and the Sages decided to split up for a moment so they could rest and hopefully cool down from their adventure in the lava-filled land and the short encounter against Majora. Link, Saria and Zelda sat together alone on a higher floor, with Impa watching over them from a distance. She could tell that the girls were worried, while Link himself looked as if he was preparing to face death itself once more. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, we have to go back to the Stone Tower, where our long trip began in the first place…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed…” Zelda said, remembering the words of the old man well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But we can’t scale the Stone Tower itself right away; the puzzles there are very complicated, some of which require the use of the ‘Elegy of Emptiness’ song. I have mentioned this to you back when we were in Clock Town with Ruto and Nabooru…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes, I remember you talking about the song, but I’ve never actually heard of it.” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then I think the time has come that I teach this song to you, since I believe we will need it in the Tower itself.” Link said, getting up. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa moved closer, deciding to listen in so she could memorize the song herself in case her assistance is needed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s kinda ironic now…” Zelda said, giggling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Saria and I have been teaching you songs, and now you’re teaching us one in turn.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link chuckled at this, before grabbing his Ocarina, the one that Saria gave him. Saria grabbed her own Fairy Ocarina, while Zelda brandished the Ocarina of Time.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, listen closely. The Stone Tower Temple is almost like an impenetrable stronghold; hundreds of soldiers of Igos du Ikana himself could not scale it. This is why he gave me, in his words, ‘a soldier who has no heart, one who will NOT falter into darkness’. This is the Elegy of Emptiness.” Link said, as he then began to play the seven-note intro of the Elegy of Emptiness.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The instant after Link played the song, a glow appeared around him, which became a green-colored pillar that grew smaller and vanished as quick as it came in the span of a few seconds, but once Link moved away, a statue that looked like Link appeared on the place where he once stood. This time, the statue of Link looked a bit different from the one that he had used when scaling the Stone Tower during his first adventure in Termina. Visible on the arms and legs were small lines that represented scars from previous battles, while the grin that first had on the face had turned into a mere smile, one that seemed either more melancholic in nature or had the appearance that, no matter what happened, it tried to look at the bright side of things, as if hoping that the sacrifices he made wouldn’t be in vain. Although blinking at this at first, both Saria and Zelda regained their composure and played the Elegy of Emptiness themselves, both of them feeling the same glow around them that Link had experienced before. Upon stepping away, statues of Saria and Zelda respectively appeared on the places where the two once stood. Like the one of Link, the Saria and Zelda statues had a smile on the face, although Zelda’s appeared much more melancholic in nature, and here and there on the statues were the same lines that represented scars on the bodies, in particular on the hands, arms and legs. Impa herself blinked at this, wondering how her statue would look like if she played the song herself. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The only thing that baffles me is that the statues could appear here too; normally we would have to be inside Ikana Canyon for that to happen…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think the cause is simple…” Impa said, approaching the group.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And that is?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The three of you actually have been dead not too long ago. While you were resurrected and everything is now apparently fine, I believe these statues represent the state of your former self, perhaps from before your death…” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I see what you mean; the statues that I could form in my Deku, Goron and Zora forms respectively looked more like the bodies of those whose souls I had healed and of which I used their corresponding masks to inhabit their bodies rather than looking like an exact image of yours truly in those forms.” Link said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“How many of these can actually be made?” Zelda then asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Only one statue of each form of one who plays the song can exist at a time. So while multiple statues can be made, it’s limited to one statue per form.” Link replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So I can’t make two statues of myself in that form?” Zelda asked, pointing to her statue.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Nope, just one. You can summon a statue at any time you like, but it will always appear on the spot you’re standing on while playing the Elegy of Emptiness; any statue you have made previously in that form will automatically be dispelled.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda, Saria and Impa nodded at this.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Rauru in the meantime was talking with Darunia, while Nabooru was watching Princess Ruto.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The situation has become more complicated than I anticipated; Ganondorf and Majora are more dangerous than I thought…” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed; Ganondorf has immense power, while Majora is outright insane and yet also quite strong in his own right.” Darunia said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The next few days will without a doubt be the hardest, as we can’t afford any failures now…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That is true, especially in Ikana Canyon…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We all need to remain strong once we traverse through that area; otherwise we’ll be joining the lingering spirits to roam around, full of regrets…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ll make it, Rauru. As long as we have the others with us…” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I guess you’re right. Link’s courage will help us through…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Exactly.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Darunia and Rauru watched as Nabooru went in the water with Ruto, before they were joined by Link, Zelda, Saria and Impa.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After about 30 minutes, the group decided to make a go for it towards Ikana Canyon, so they said their good-byes to the Zora people inside Zora Hall, moving back into Zora Cape where their boat was. Once outside into Zora Cape, Princess Ruto then drew her blade, spinning it around before holding it in the air, invoking the power of the Ether Medallion she received. A bolt of lightning hit her sword as the medallion’s power was activated, shooting the bolt back in the air and striking at the clouds surrounding the area. Immediately the darkened clouds began to split open and spread apart, revealing clear, blue sky with here and there a normal cloud around. It was as if the princess herself had cleared the damp atmosphere around the Zora Cape and let in fresh, cool air to restore the climate around the area itself. Link smiled at this, watching Ruto do her job in order to save her people in Termina at least, before joining the group once more as they entered the boat, with Rauru steering it towards the mainland.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We should call the horses once we get on land, that way we can save up on travel time by far.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great idea, it’ll save us energy too.” Zelda said, nodding as the coast came in view.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hopefully we can decimate some of the enemies underway…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That gives me an idea; if Darunia goes first with his Spiked Goron Roll, we should be able to follow as he can plow through enemy defenses with ease.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now you’re speaking my language. I’ll gladly mow down those goons for you.” Darunia said, patting Link on the back, making Link yelp a bit at the force of it.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once the group arrived at the coast and left the boat, Link and Zelda used their Fire Arrows to take out two Like-Likes that could form a potential hinder to them, before Link went to play Epona’s Song on his Ocarina. In less than a minute, Epona and the few horses accompanying her came galloping across the sandy coast, taking out a Leever and a Red Tektite along the way before slowing and coming to a halt in front of the group. Link smiled, patting and stroking Epona over her back and manes, making Epona neigh in satisfaction, before Link mounted the horse, with this time Zelda hopping on behind him. Saria took Zelda’s spot on Impa’s horse, while Darunia himself got ready to take off. While Nabooru had Ruto with her, Rauru sat alone on his own stallion. Once Darunia was given the signal, he charged up his Goron Roll and charged ahead, with Epona and the other horses following behind, taking the other Sages and Link with them. Zelda looked around while holding onto Link, just to be sure no one was trying anything funny. Thankfully, the only sounds that were heard were the sounds of Tektites and Leevers being defeated as the group ran over them without troubles. Zelda held Link from behind as they rode on, following Darunia, which made Link blush with a smile. Eventually the group went to the right past the Fisherman and the Oceanside Spider Houses, going up the sandy path towards Termina Field…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once in Termina Field, the group simply moved onward, deciding to move straight to Ikana Canyon through the southern route, bypassing the Dodongos and Eenos on the northern part of the field itself, finding the ChuChus easier to deal with. On top of that, moving through the bushes allowed them to snatch some spoils they could find on ammunition for bombs and arrows along the way, obviously being left behind by slain enemies. Zelda looked in the direction of Clock Town, seeing that the town itself remained intact, although the town’s walls showed signs of battle damage due to several holes and cracks being present along the wall, here and there were black patches that indicated there was a fire burning there, which had been extinguished. The atmosphere around took on a more darker tone as it began to rain as the group traveled onward, a distinct rumbling being heard in the air as if a storm was passing over. Zelda shivered, which in turn caused Link to shiver as well. Passing by the Astral Observatory, the group then turned to the right as the grass of the field was replaced by the sand/stone-like ground visible in Ikana, with the group entering Ikana Valley.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon arriving in Ikana Valley, Link noticed that, where once the fences stood to keep anyone on foot from entering the valley in the first place and thus had to use a horse to jump over them, were gone, being reduced to broken stone and broken and bent metal that stood outward, as if the invasion had come from Ikana itself. Stopping their horses close at the cliff they had to climb at, hiding them from sight, the group then dismounted the horses and proceeded to use their Hook- and Clawshots to climb their way to the higher area using the wooden tree that stood there, helping each other further up as they went. Passing by the boulders and rocks that remained on the path, the group could feel that the air was getting denser and also a bit darker, while at the same time, the stench of death began to creep around the area. It was then that several boulder-like creatures emerged from the ground.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What’s this? They look a bit like Gorons…” Darunia said, noticing the rocky surface on their bodies.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And they smell like gunpowder…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“WATCH IT! Those are Nejirons; they will explode if they touch you!” Link said, pulling Saria out of the way as one Nejiron rolled by, missing her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda then shot the Nejiron with an arrow… making the Nejiron explode upon being hit with the arrow![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“YIKES!” Ruto exclaimed, rolling out of the way of another Nejiron whom aimed at her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We have to make a run for it, let’s go!” Link said, grabbing Saria and Zelda by their hands, the three proceeding to run onward, not looking back as more Nejirons emerged from the ground. The others followed right away, doing their best to avoid the Nejirons as much as they could. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Eventually the group arrived at the bank of Ikana River, being the main part of Ikana Canyon itself. Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru were visibly unsettled, seeing as they have been here before, but moved on nonetheless. Freezing the resident Octoroks with Ice Arrows to encase them in blocks of ice, the group used these to cross Ikana River and, once more using their Hook- and Clawshots, made their way into Ikana Canyon itself, on the area with a now visibly damaged Music Box, the still deserted and ruined Ikana Castle and the monstrous Stone Tower not too far. There were now several Gibdos and ReDeads around in the canyon, accompanied by Blue Bubbles which were flying around. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Dang, things have definitely changed around here…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, it’s as if this place has gotten worse since the last time we were here…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Once this is all over we’ll need a vacation.” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You got that right.” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s check that music house first, it may give us clues as to what has happened here…” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right, but watch yourself; we have ReDeads and Gibdos around, next to the Bubbles and the Guays…” Link said, intercepting a Guay whom was aiming for Ruto.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The others nodded, before Link knocked on the door of the Music Box house… but no one answered the door.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Maybe nobody’s at home?” Zelda asked, just as the door itself fell down on the ground… as if it had been torn off its hinges before and someone unceremoniously put it back in its place, startling the group.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now THAT is what I call ‘flattening the door’.” Link said, blinking.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say.” Zelda said, blinking as well.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group then cautiously went inside the house, looking around.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Anybody home?” Link called in the house, but received no reply.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Look at this; this place is a mess! Who lived in such a dump?!” Ruto asked, looking around.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This used to be the home of a man who was researching the supernatural and his daughter…” Link said, moving downstairs to where the research tools were.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Saria and Zelda followed, wondering what could be in the basement. Upon arrival, they could see that the basement by itself was a mess; papers laid scattered across the floor, some of them crumpled, torn, folded or anything in between, as if someone must have had put up quite the resistance against the aggressor.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Geez, talk about a struggle having taken place here…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say; it’s likely they must have taken the researcher and his daughter captive… or even worse… but there is no blood around…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Could they have been cursed too?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Possibly, which would suit the nature of this area well. Makes me wonder why they actually live here in the first place…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, field studying here is quite risky…” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Should we actually try to rest here for a moment so we are truly prepared to scale the Stone Tower?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It would be best; scaling the Stone Tower isn’t easy at all and if this is the current source of evil in this area, we may need to be refreshed more than ever.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We can place a seal around the place that can prevent any malevolent force from coming in and take us by surprise…” Zelda said.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s a wise idea. That way we can have some decent rest in too.” Link said, as he and the others went back upstairs.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After talking about it with the others, the group agreed to use the house as a temporal shelter, since it apparently was unoccupied. Perhaps this could also give them precious time for a more thorough investigation, to find out what has happened to its regular occupants, where they have gone or been taken to and what relation it has with the goons that were currently occupying the Stone Tower and its Temple. After they placed the door back in its place and put the seal on it to prevent outsiders from coming in, the group prepared themselves to get some rest. Using what was available, they made makeshift beds for Rauru and Impa downstairs, since they opted to watch over the area regardless, while Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru went to occupy the beds of the researcher and his daughter, the latter of which was named Pamela as the group found out from some of the papers they investigated. They also noticed the papers of the father having done his research on the Gibdos and Garo and other supernatural phenomena in the area as those contained their pictures. Link remembered these as he had seen them before after using the Song of Healing to lift the curse on the man was he apparently was going to turn into a Gibdo. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Later on, the group was resting, making sure they would put the things they used back to where they found them so no one would see that they had even been in here. As they rested, Link, Saria and Zelda occupied Pamela’s bed, while Nabooru and Ruto laid close by in the father’s bed. However, the slumber of Link, Saria and Zelda wasn’t easy, trying to find comfort in each other. Thankfully, Ruto and Nabooru were close by and assisted the troubled trio in chasing the nightmares away. Even though they were resting as well, Impa, Darunia and Rauru were being on guard, just to be sure nothing was trying anything funny. Throughout the night, the entire place remained quiet, as if giving the group some peace in turn, even though the overall atmosphere of Ikana didn’t ease them overall…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The next morning however, the group woke up as the sun was rising, but its only noticed through the thick air becoming a lighter shade in color, with the Sun itself unable to penetrate through the clouds properly. After getting themselves tidy again, the group set to bring the house back to its state before they entered it to erase any traces of their presence. As they were done with the tidying, the group eventually began to hear a song resonating through the house, as if someone had turned on some kind of music box on. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hm? Is someone playing music?” Zelda asked, looking around as if to see where it came from.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think so… the tone seems familiar, but I can’t exactly bring it back to mind…” Link said, scratching his head as it sounded nowhere near the ‘Farewell to Gibdos’ song that usually played in the house once it was turned on by the Ikana River…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It seems rather low in tone…” Saria said, looking around as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Those low piano chords are a bit unsettling to me…” Nabooru said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And why do I feel as if something’s being sapped from me… as well as from all of you too?” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Something being sapped?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“As if someone is draining our powers?” Darunia asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Not just power… it feels as if it’s draining our life force…” Impa said, feeling her legs wobbling, while Saria and Zelda collapsed on hands and knees, gasping for breath.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link felt his chest getting heavy, but managed to hear Impa’s last line…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Draining our life force… this song… oh no!” Link then said, eyes widening in absolute horror. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is it?!” Impa asked, feeling her own chest getting heavier as she was beginning to sweat.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We have to get out of here right now!! This is the Melody of Darkness, a song that will mean our deaths if we keep listening to it!!” Link exclaimed in near-panic.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But the… door still… has the seal!!” Zelda said, trying to hold onto Link as her chest felt heavy.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We can dispel the seal, but with this rate, we won’t be able to make it in time.” Rauru said[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Allow me!” Darunia said as he charged up a Goron Roll and smashed himself through the door to outside in Ikana River, breaking the seal in the process with his own magic as the door was reduced to splinters, allowing the group to escape the house while covering their ears as best as they could as the song apparently kept growing in volume. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once they were out of the house, the music itself died down, much to the group’s relief, but the effects remained, as if they narrowly prevented themselves from having a cardiac arrest, their chests and bodies feeling heavy, almost as if they had participated in a long distance run without resting once.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“C… Curse you, Majora!” Link said between gasps, struggling to move towards the others, before he looked at an opening in a nearby stone wall, close to the side entrance to Ikana Castle.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“W… where are you looking at?” Zelda asked, trying to get up, but feeling her arms and legs struggling to maintain strength.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“T… there’s a… Great… Fairy nearby…” Link said, doing his best to stay upright, helping Zelda and Saria up, while Nabooru helped Ruto up, moving towards Link, Saria and Zelda.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]With Link’s guidance, the group entered the Great Fairy’s Fountain, where the Great Fairy of Kindness helped in restoring the group’s health with her magic, much to the group’s relief.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What was that for a song that was draining our life force like that?” Impa then asked Link, being puzzled as to why a mere song could have such a devastating effect.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That was the Melody of Darkness. It was composed by the composer Sharp here in Termina, intended to let anyone who listens to it ‘sleep gently and join the ranks of the dead’ as he put it.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, you mentioned something about him here…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. The reason I didn’t recognize the song first hand is, although I did confront Sharp in the Spring Water Cave where he played that song too, I immediately tried to heal his soul with the Soul of Healing, but when that had no effect, I went to play the song that Sharp’s brother Flat made me remember: The Song of Storms. It apparently has an increased magic power here as the Song of Storms can cleanse specific curses of its own, as it helped break the curse placed on Sharp and it can help us recover from being jinxed by a Blue Bubble quicker.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Jinxed?” Ruto parroted.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. It’s a type of curse that will render the affected victim unable to draw their main weapon, in our case our swords, for a certain amount of time. Only the Song of Storms can wash it away in an instant.” Link replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But why did he compose that song?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sharp was on his turn cursed by Majora, having foolishly ‘sold his soul to the devil’ as Flat told me. Majora apparently has used the song in that house to kill us when we were awake… perhaps Ganondorf could have had a hand in it too.” Link said, right before Zelda came up to him and hugged him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Zelda?” Impa asked, while Link was also concerned.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you again, Link. I think I lost count on this, but again you have managed to save our lives…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hey, it’s no problem, Zel.” Link said with a warm smile, right before Saria and Ruto hugged him as well, much to the amusement of the adults as they saw that Link was getting a bit nervous.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I almost wanted to ask if there’s anything to repay you for it…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No need for the payments and all, I just do what I believe is right.” Link said, being modest.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Great Fairy smiled at this affection between the group as they remained in the Fountain for a while to recuperate properly from their near-death experience, before they finally went off to scale the Stone Tower.
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 37: A favor returned[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link led the group towards the entrance to the Stone Tower area, having played the Sun’s Song to freeze the resident ReDeads and Gibdos along the way, although the hero was shivering as he went up the path.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Bad memories, huh?” Zelda asked, seeing it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Pretty much. When it combines with the feeling of feeling weird underneath your feet or just feeling lighter, you know you are in a high place.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“True that.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Just a warning ahead, when we scale the tower, don’t look down.” He said, taking out a map of the Stone Tower he had conveniently taken with him. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group entered the area, they could already see the massive height of the tower itself.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“By the Goddesses, this tower is HUGE!” Saria said, blinking at the height of the tower[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We never had a chance to get a good look at it before, even though we were close by when we landed inside that spider/Skulltula-infested cavern before, but I agree…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Just what on Hyrule did the people who made this tower plan to do?! Try to reach the heavens where the Goddesses reside?!” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I actually haven’t put much thought into that; I guess I was too occupied in saving Termina…” Link said, blinking.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Rauru and Darunia already noticed boulders rolling around, as well as several Beamos around.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, didn’t Termina have any deities of their own?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Those are the Four Giants, or at last I think that they must be for Termina, considering that they did help in stopping the moon from falling on Clock Town. I honestly haven’t known much about Termina itself, other than that these Giants obviously have a level of importance to it.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This would make the situation rather complicated for us… if Ganondorf and Majora have occupied this place, then it could very well be their intention to insult the three Golden Goddesses themselves,” Rauru said, putting two and two together, “coupled with the fact that Ganondorf actually has the Triforce of Power…”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So we are also dealing with a couple of blasphemers too, if those theories are true…” Link said, getting upset.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed.” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, we have no time to waste, we’ll show them!” Zelda said, taking the initiative this time and hopping onto the floating platforms, with Link right next to her, reaching the other side safely with the others.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, now we’re going to have to deal with a complicated puzzle. For this, I need the remaining Sages to stay here near the switch, but be careful of the boulders around. Zelda, I need you to come with me to a higher level, Saria, I need you to stay alert for when I call you.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sure thing.” Saria and Zelda said, nodding while the other Sages were confused.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What’s going on?” Rauru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These floating blocks can be moved into position by means of the switches on the floor, obviously a mechanic invented by whoever made this tower in the first place. I will need the assistance of Saria and Zelda with this, as I have given them the means to help in solving the puzzles up ahead.” Link said, before he took Zelda and used his Hookshot to take him with her to the ledge above. Link however came in full sight of a Beamos as he led Zelda to the switch, but the Princess intercepted it and destroyed it with a bomb before it could strike Link, who blinked at this.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whoa, thanks.” He said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Don’t mention it. At least we’re somewhat even for now.” Zelda said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link smiled back.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, what do you want me to do?” She then asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I want you to stand on that floor switch over there, while I go to an even higher ledge up there to hit another one.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nodding, Zelda went to stand on the switch, keeping a close watch on the Boulders rolling around, while Link went to the higher ledge to stand on the switch there, the two blocks that were connected to it moving into place on a higher level from the bottom.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Saria, can you hear me?” Link then shouted down.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Loud and clear, Link.” He heard her voice several meters below on the lower ledge.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Stand on the floor switch on where you are and play the ‘Elegy of Emptiness’. The statue you’ll make will keep the switch in place.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Gotcha.” Saria said, doing as requested, causing the third and final floating block to move into place.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Zelda, play the Elegy of Emptiness to keep the switch down with your statue.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Understood.” Zelda said, nodding as she took the Ocarina of Time.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link grabbed his own Ocarina to play the Elegy of Emptiness himself, creating his own statue that held the switch in place. The other Sages, except Impa, blinked at the Statues that were created of Saria, Zelda and Link as the song was played and the group proceeded onward to the second floor, crossing the floating platforms there in turn. The same procedure was repeated with the second switch puzzle, with the group avoiding the boulders as best as they could while crossing the area. They also spotted a platform that had several ReDeads on it as well as several jars, but with the way it was out of their reach unless they used their Hookshot on the post, they decided to ignore it. It would save them a lot of trouble anyway. Eventually the group arrived on the platform that held a broken Owl Statue, with at the far side the entrance to the Stone Tower Temple, the entrance looking like a mouth with a stone face around it. with two Fire barriers burning in the black patches that appeared to be eyes.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So this is the Stone Tower Temple itself?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The entrance to it at least…” Link said, shuddering as he, Saria and Zelda solved the final block puzzle to create a bridge that would let them reach the entrance of the Temple itself.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link himself felt another shiver going down his spine as he hopped over the platforms, while the others followed one by one, with Impa being the last to follow as she was quite mesmerized by the statues that Zelda made, wondering how her own statue would look like considering she overheard Link teaching the song to Saria and Zelda in the first place.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now I understand how you felt when scaling this frigging tower the first time.” Zelda said after the group safely reached the other side, with Saria nodding in agreement.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The only thing I’m happy about is that the tower is right side up.” Link said, bracing himself for what was to come.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon entering the Temple, the group could see some parts being upside down, in remembrance of what Link had told them before about his adventures in the Temple before. They could also notice several enemies around, including a Real Bombchu on the small, separated pathway ahead, two mutated Dragonflies who were flying around, several Mad Scrubs which were located around the area, but remained in place, four Corrupt Assault Spear Soldiers with their trident-like spears wearing red-colored armor with horned helmets patrolling around to and fro, four Ball and Chain Soldiers with gold-colored armor, whom were apparently guarding the doors to the left and right and finally two Stalfos who were guarding the door directly ahead. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, crud.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“They definitely increased security out here…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good thing we have some new weapons to deal with them.” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. We’d better take out those Dragonflies to make sure they don’t become a bother; those tails are electrically charged so you’ll get zapped the moment you’ll be hit by them.” Link said, using his bow and arrow to attack one of the Dragonflies, missing two shots due to the erratic pattern, but scoring a hit on his third attempt, defeating the Dragonfly.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Saria and Zelda double-teamed the other Dragonfly, defeating it. However, two of the Assault Spear Soldiers clocked the group and began to throw their spears at them. The group narrowly avoided the incoming spears, with Zelda using an Ice Arrow to strike one of them, freezing him solid, while Link fired a Fire Arrow at the other, setting him ablaze. This gave the group some reprieve as it allowed them to properly recover and get prepared for another fight. The Real Bombchu was running around in a frenzy, its Bomb on the tail lit, but forming no real danger yet. Zelda took out the Spear Soldier she froze with an Ice Arrow, while Impa, Ruto and Nabooru took out the Spear Soldier that Link set on fire, although the other two Spear Soldiers came to the aid of their comrades. Link managed to reflect one Deku Nut projectile back at the Mad Scrub who fired it, before shooting an arrow at it to take it out, only for Link to be pushed out of the way to the ground by Saria, saving him from an incoming spear which grazed her side, causing Saria to hiss in pain as it left a cut there. Grabbing the spear, Link tossed it back at the Assault Spear Soldier, intercepting another spear in the process before Link fired an Ice Arrow of his own at it, freezing him. But no sooner had Saria helped Link up, when suddenly both of them were clocked in their backs by the spiked ball from one of the Ball and Chain Troopers, sending them back to a wall near the entrance, leaving a slight imprint on it there. Seeing this, Princess Ruto went in Shield position to activate her Electric Barrier, zapping the Assault Spear Soldier and the Mad Scrubs she was attacking in the process, before moving over to where Link and Saria were, intercepting the Ball and Chain Trooper with her Magic Boomerang to stun it, before she unleashed her Ether Medallion to freeze all other enemies around instantly, giving the group some time to recover while she tended to Link and Saria. The freezing proved to be a godsend, since it allowed Darunia to clobber one of the Assault Spear Soldiers onto the real Bombchu, defeating them both, thus killing two birds with one stone. Rauru, Impa and Nabooru took out the remaining Assault Spear Soldier and two Mad Scrubs, leaving just the Stalfos, three more Mad Scrubs and the Ball and Chain Troopers. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Despite their injuries, Link and Saria got up with Ruto’s help and, with the assistance of her and Zelda whom had taken out one Mad Scrub by herself, began to take out the Ball and Chain Trooper that attacked Link and Saria both, with Link going so far as taking out the Ball and Chain itself out of its hands, while Saria, Ruto and Zelda defeated it. At the same time, Nabooru, Impa, Rauru and Darunia engaged the two other Ball and Chain Troopers, dealing with them with more ease since Darunia just clobbered one of them with his Goron Punches, while Rauru, Impa and Nabooru teamed up on the other one. Link, Saria, Zelda and Ruto then attacked the final Ball and Chain Trooper that was present, with Saria yanking the Ball and Chain out of its hands, while Link, Zelda and Ruto defeated it in turn. This also gave Link and Saria a brand new weapon; the Ball and Chain they looted from the Troopers, taking it with them, while Zelda and Ruto took out the remaining Mad Scrubs, which only left the Stalfos, which were fortunately confined to the small path ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Are you alright?” Link then asked Saria.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m fine, it’s not as bad as it looks.” Saria said, right before Link gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, making Saria blink and look at Link.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thanks for saving me from that spear that had my name on it.” Link then said with a smile, which made Saria smile as she absent-mindedly rubbed the cheek that Link just kissed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s… it’s no problem at all…” Saria said, blushing even before regaining her composure and waited for the others as they returned, but not before giving Link a quick hug and a soft kiss on his cheek in return. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru gasped at seeing a few red patches on the backs of Link and Saria.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What happened?!” She asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s not as bad as it looks, Nabooru; one of the Ball and Chain Troopers nailed the both of us in our backs.” Saria said, with Link carefully stretching a bit.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And what’s that on your side?” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“A spear just grazed me there.” Saria said, smiling as the group gathered again, moving towards the left door which apparently was the only one directly available at the time, considering that the other ones were blocked with iron bars…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon entering the next room, the group noticed some more Real Bombchus around, coupled with two Dodongos. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, man… we must have really entered the big boss’ lair in here…” Nabooru said, while Link made one Dodongo eat a Bomb, blasting it from the inside in the process and defeating it, its detonation taking out two of the Real Bombchus out with it. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“In Termina, yes… but there’s still the one in Hyrule we need to deal with…” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Point taken.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda used a bomb of her own to kill the second Dodongo, with Saria and Ruto taking out the remaining Real Bombchus, using Link’s advice to keep the shield ready to defend against them if necessary. Surprisingly, there was no switch puzzle in here this time around, something which surprised Link as he expected to continue the routine of playing the Elegy of Emptiness again to progress. As he moved on, he saw that the gate that was normally blocking the path wasn’t present at all, as if it had been removed or something. This was something that unsettled him, but he remained focused as the group moved on to the next room.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon arriving in the open area, they already spotted the open hole in the ground that was left open, while up ahead in the room were just two Eyegores. Seeing one of them approaching them, Link took out his Bow and lined up an arrow, but he stood in position, waiting. While the Sages looked on in wonder, Link suddenly felt a rush going through his body, which began to focus on the arrow he was holding. When the Eyegore’s eye colored yellow again as he was now close enough, Link let the arrow fly, which struck the Eyegore with a force that instantly killed it, causing the Sages, as well as Link himself, to blink![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?! How did you do that?!” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I… I don’t know! I just waited for him to come closer, although I did feel a rush going through me…” Link replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, didn’t that Ancient Fire Sage give us this ‘burst’ thing he told us about?!” Darunia then said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I remember now! I think what I did must have been what he gave us, which allowed us to inflict more damage than normal, although the cons of it makes it kinda useless for arrows. With swords on the other hand…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I think we may have the right chance to beat this Temple after all. It’s a shame we ran out of Light Arrows back during our fight against the Army of Darkness when the invasion of Hyrule began…” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s right.” Link said, while Saria took out the second Eyegore.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Should we drop down the hole?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No; there’s a staircase at the other side that leads to the same room below that leads to a single room; there’s another door at the far side of the room here though... It’s only a shame I don’t have the Mirror Shield with me now…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ll find our way around, don’t worry. And we’ll see what every room contains so we are sure we haven’t forgotten anything.” Saria said, patting his shoulder, before moving on with him and the others to the stairs, going down.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon arriving in the room, there was a pool with lava ahead, but seeing the two Armos Statues inside the lava made it appear as if the pool was very undeep, which was further proven by Darunia as the lava didn’t reach up to halfway his toes, with Darunia himself being unaffected by the lava, due to the Goron’s natural resistance to it. Darunia took out the two Armos Statues, just as a few Nejirons appeared, which Darunia also took out.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Makes me wish I was lava resistant.” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, the Goron Tunics makes us somewhat lava resistant, mostly to ponds like that. Against the more lethal lava we have seen in that Sanctuary as well as what is in Death Mountain Crater, all the Tunics would do is make us resistant to the heat; if we would fall in the lava there, we’d be lava soup.” Link said, with Ruto nodding in understanding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I got us a new map here.” Darunia said, having located a chest with the map of the Stone Tower Temple, moving back to the group so they all could look at the Temple’s overview.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, where do we go now?” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We need to go back up the stairs and head for a door that is on our left once we enter that open room again.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right, let’s go and see what else is hidden for us.” Zelda said as the group went on towards the staircase and back in the open room, moving to the door on the left as Link said.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Entering the room, Link noticed that there were ladders present on either side of the area which was once filled with water, the water level itself having been reduced to about chest height for a child. To their left was a pathway going to the right with a dead end that had a Beamos standing by, ready to attack anyone within its range. On the far side of the room was yet another Ball and Chain Trooper, flanked by two Bomb Soldiers and two Bow Soldiers, while on their direct right was a single Stalfos, who was ready to attack. In the water area itself were several Shaboms and Stingers, coupled with a few Octoroks. Darunia engaged the Stalfos by himself, while Link, Saria and Zelda used the projectiles fired by the nearest Octoroks at them to their advantage, using their shields to deflect them to the other side, taking out the patrolling Bow Soldiers after a moment as well as one of the Bomb Soldiers. Ruto on the other hand used Deku Nuts to defeat the Shaboms and stun the Octoroks that were too close, allowing the group to take them out safely, while Nabooru used her Sword Spark to take out the second Bomb Soldier. Impa used one of the Bombs to take out the Beamos for good measure, while Rauru was standing by to assist Darunia to stun the Stalfos for him. Shortly after that, Link, Zelda and Saria worked together to take out the Ball and Chain Trooper, making him drop his own Ball and Chain which rolled into the water, ready for Zelda to collect this time, before he was taken out with a charged Arrow shot. After that, the group jumped down into the water, with Darunia using the Goron Pound to shake up the Stingers and defeating the Octoroks, with the others striking at the Stingers with Arrows, Deku Seeds, the Boomerang Fins and the Boomerang itself and even the Hookshots to defeat them all. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whew, that was quite a fight.” Saria said as Zelda indeed collected the Ball and Chain that was lying on the bottom of the water pool they were in.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, but there’s a lot more coming up soon…” Link said, waiting until Zelda joined the group again while carrying her new weapon with her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Moving on, the group made their way into a corridor where there was previously a Dexihand present, using a ladder to reach it. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This place really has become different; perhaps the adaptations were made to house the proper materials for making this into a stronghold?” Link said, scratching his head.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s likely.” Zelda said as she and Saria were walking at Link’s sides, with Ruto behind him and behind her were the adults of the group. Upon arriving in the next room, they saw that there too the water level had been lowered, but it would still make Darunia fall to the bottom, unable to escape. Fortunately, Saria helped out by generating vines to attach themselves to the wall, making them strong and tough enough to be climbed on towards a pathway that Link mentioned to them as the group observed the area. Upon arriving there, they saw the sun shining on the center of the path with a mirror at the far side of the room. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That mirror looks weird…” Zelda said as she went to check it out.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It is; it is capable of absorbing light from the sun when it’s pointed directly at it, before it releases the light of its own to solve specific puzzles with. Fortunately these have been solved already…” Link said, smiling as he and the others joined her, with Nabooru checking out a nearby chest.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great, a compass! Now we should be able to see where we are on the map.” She said, which brought quite a relief to Ruto.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Studying the map, they saw that the door ahead would bring them back to the entrance, so they went the other way instead. After going through the door and entering the room, they noticed that there were several Sun faces around, with one of them being already active in a happy smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Check that out, more of those mirrors… and what are those black things around here?” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Black Boes. Easy to defeat, but quite an annoyance in numbers, especially when they jump at you.” Link said as the group moved on, killing the Black Boes where necessary. Just as they were about to reach the next room, a couple of Nejirons suddenly appeared, ready to roll into the group. However, the group responded quicker and let loose some arrows or their Hookshots to blow the Nejirons to pieces, allowing the group to proceed. Upon arriving in the next room, the others gulped as there was again some lava around.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Don’t worry, there should be a shortcut in the form of a ladder that allows us to bypass the lava.” Link said as he went to a ladder to climb down, after which he waited for the others while taking down a few Fire Keeses along the way. Darunia on the other hand just jumped down and waded through the lava as it was nothing to him, deciding to make use of it and help Link in guiding the others safely around the lava. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“At least my feet are getting nicely warmed up…” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Heh, lucky you.” Nabooru said, giggling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Moving onward, the group made their way to the other side, where they smiled as the ladder Link mentioned was indeed present, allowing the group, including Darunia, to climb up towards another doorway, with Zelda taking out another Fire Keese before she climbed up the ladder. A Real Bombchu spotted them as well, but since it was once again on a place where it couldn’t reach the group, the Real Bombchu just kept on running until its bomb detonated, killing it while the group ignored it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hm, so far only the Fire Keese and that suicidal Bombchu…” Impa said, narrowing her eyes as the group rested up a bit again, trying to calm themselves down despite the atmosphere of death around them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes, apparently this room and the few we’ve been in before were apparently of little importance.” Link said, taking a sip of some Red Potion he had taken with him, before giving some to Saria, who also eagerly took a sip of it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Whew, so far we made through it alive…” Rauru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So far, so good indeed. But now is not the time for overconfidence.” Impa said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed. If this is supposed to be a stronghold, I believe that what we have been through so far is only a tip of the iceberg.” Link said, while Zelda took a sip of the Red Potion.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. We should keep our guard up at all times.” Zelda said after handing the bottle over to Ruto.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After a few minutes, the group got ready to enter the next room. Upon entering the next room however, the door closed behind them with iron bars, trapping them in the room. As the group looked around, they could hear a dark chuckle from within the room itself, instantly making them draw their weapons, before looking straight ahead…
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 38: Making twisted progress[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group looked ahead, they could see another enemy looking at them in the room. It appeared to be a large, armored reptilian, probably a relative of the Lizalfos and Dinolfos, wielding a Ball and Chain itself! [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m surprised you even made it this far, given the circumstances… I expected that you would be driven to eternal sleep in that music box house…” It said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What?! So it was YOU who played that Melody of Darkness in the house!!” Link said, getting furious.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You could say I did. Then again, it would be a shame for you to perish so easily…” It said, twirling the spiked ball around.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great, another sick, twisted maniac!” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The creature laughed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The Great Ganondorf and Majora will be very pleased when I, Darkhammer, can report of your demise by my hands. I’ll make this short and as little painful as I can.” It said, before swinging the Ball and Chain towards the group, intending to crush them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]However, before it could impact against the faces of Link, Saria and Zelda, someone intercepted the Ball and Chain, catching it with his bare hands! It was Darunia whom acted accordingly![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ve had enough of such crap of you and your leaders, begone!” Darunia snapped as he tossed the ball and chain back, slugging it into the Darkhammer’s gut. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Darkhammer grunted as the ball and chain hit it, sending it back a few feet and making it fall on the ground with a *THUD!*, after which it stood up…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Okay, forget about the short and less painful… I’ll gladly make you suffer instead!” It then hollered, regaining his ball and chain and swinging the ball around like a lasso, intending to inflict serious pain on the group.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The others already drew their weapons and were ready to assist Darunia, just as several Dinolfos and Lizalfos came in the area to assist what appeared to be their leader, as if the Darkhammer was like a commander to them like the Stalfos Commander was within the Forest outpost, commanding large numbers of Stalfos at its leisure. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll handle this Darkhammer, you’d better keep those Dinolfos and Lizalfos off my back when I do.” Darunia said to the others.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Gotcha, Brother, we’ll provide the back-up you need.” Link said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s the spirit. Now let’s show this freak who’s boss!” Darunia said, rubbing his hands together as he was quite eager to deliver some pain on the offending Darkhammer.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The battle began shortly after as the group engaged the enemies. Link, Saria and Zelda brandished their own ball and chains which they had looted from the Ball and Chain Troopers whom they defeated earlier in the Temple, swinging the ball around while ensuring they weren’t in each other’s way before tossing it at the incoming Dinolfos, with great effect as it practically caved their skulls in right away. Princess Ruto made use of her Electric Barrier to stun several Lizalfos, allowing Nabooru and Impa to slash them to pieces, with Rauru blasting several other Dinolfos with his Light-based attacks. Darunia himself engaged the Darkhammer, using his own strength to block the incoming Ball and Chain when it was tossed at him, sending it right back at him, which in turn began to damage the Darkhammer’s armor in a style reminiscent of the Iron Knuckles. While the Lizalfos and Dinolfos were easy to deal with, the Darkhammer was a tougher cookie to crack. Still, Darunia was a formidable fighter in his own right, even though he welcomed the assistance of the remaining Sages as well as Link himself. Darunia kept the focus on keeping the Ball and Chain occupied, while Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto, Nabooru went in close range to strike at the Darkhammer to get rid of its armor, being backed up by Impa and Rauru. The Darkhammer then kicked Nabooru and Ruto to the side, before pulling the Ball and Chain out of Darunia’s hands, swinging it to knock Darunia to the side, taking Rauru and Impa along with him. It then kicked Saria right into Link and Zelda both, making them fall to the ground, before it raised its Ball and Chain into the air and smashed it right on top of the three children, with the remaining Sages clearly hearing the painful yelps of the three as the ball and chain hit its mark, creating an indent in the floor as well. Immediately Nabooru responded by charging at the Darkhammer, only for it to swing its Ball and Chain to her, catching her in the side, breaking a few ribs in the process, after which it smashed the ball back on the three children, taking pleasure in torturing them like this. Impa could hear the moans coming from underneath the ball, which meant that the three were hurt badly…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You monster!” Impa snarled, charging at the Darkhammer, only to be smacked aside as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait your turn, woman; once I’m done with these three…” The Darkhammer said, preparing to smash the ball and chain back on Link, Saria and Zelda, but as it landed, he was suddenly met with resistance… before the ball was being lifted up by one pair of arms… followed by a second pair… and a third pair… [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Darunia, Rauru and Ruto looked on in surprise, as the ball and chain was then tossed right into the Darkhammer’s face, sending it to the far side of the room, shattering its armor in the process as he landed. Darunia immediately went to the impact area of where the ball and chain had landed on, the other Sages following right away, although Nabooru winced due to her broken ribs. Out of the small indent however climbed Link, before he helped Saria and Zelda out together. The three suffered major injuries, seen as their outfits were partially torn and sported several red stains around that was obviously blood, but the three were still alive and, by the looks of it, were still able to fight. The Darkhammer however recovered swiftly, rubbing its head.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“GET THEM!” He then said as a call to someone else out in the room.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]It was then that the door on the other side of the room opened up, revealing several Iron Knuckles, Stalfos, Assault Sword Soldiers and Moblins, while from the sky came a Garo Master, who summoned several of its Garo Robe comrades in response. Seeing this, Darunia responded by invoking his own Sage Powers through his Fire Medallion and, after spreading his arms wide, he created a dome of fire around the group as if creating a Fire Shield around them. Seeing her chance, Saria responded by activating her Forest Medallion, summoning vines that began to wrap themselves around the group in general, leaving the Darkhammer and the other enemies stunned…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Inside the barrier of vines, Saria then let some newer vines touch herself on her right shoulder, as well as making it touch the shoulders of Link, Zelda and Nabooru as well as the others, attaching themselves to them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Saria?! What are you doing?!” Link asked, blinking.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Shh.” Saria said, meaning for Link to be silent for this. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link wisely shut his mouth, when a green glow began to envelop the entire group, after which whatever injuries they had suffered so far were being soothed… as if it was healing their wounds! Link did a serious double-take as he could feel his wounds closing up and healing over, while there was no sensation of pain at all. Nabooru winced a little as she could feel her broken ribs being set back into place, the apparent painful feeling being rapidly soothed by a feeling of comfort washing over her as the damage done to her was being repaired. She blinked at this, while Zelda also had her powers active around the group, with Link relaxing in the glow. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After several minutes, the glow dissipated and the group was healed over, although Saria collapsed to her hands and knees, being exhausted as the vine barrier started to whither, revealing to the group that only a couple of seconds had passed, as Zelda had invoked the aid of the Goddess of Time for this. Link managed to give Saria some of the Green Potion he had with him, restoring Saria’s powers along the way.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” Saria said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No, I should be thanking you for using your powers like that.” Link said, hugging Saria while Darunia exploded his barrier outward, damaging the enemies around them, just like how Link deploys his Din’s Fire magic attack. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Saria smiled, returning the hug before she let go, with Link brandishing the Purified Fierce Deity’s Mask, putting it on in order to transform to Fierce Deity Link, wielding his Double Helix Sword as he was ready to make mincemeat of the enemies. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now it’s our turn.” Fierce Deity Link said as the group now went on the counteroffensive. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Fierce Deity Link focused on the Garo Master, with Zelda and Saria assisting him to keep the Garo Robes at bay, using the knowledge they had about them from possessing one each in the Gerudo Fortress back when they were spirits to their advantage to take them out swiftly, each Garo Robe disintegrating in sheets of green flames as they held on their policy of dying without leaving a corpse. The revitalized Nabooru let loose her frustrations on the Assault Sword Soldiers, her twin Gilded Scimitar Blades being more than enough to attack multiple of them at once. Darunia grabbed one of the Stalfos by his leg as the latter attempted a jump attack, swinging the skeletal warrior around before tossing him into the mall group of Iron Knuckles, smashing the Stalfos to pieces in this regard as well as damaging the Iron Knuckles. Princess Ruto used her Ether Medallion to freeze all enemies in place, which in turn allowed Impa and Rauru to aid their comrades by decimating the Stalfos and Moblins. Knowing how it fought, Fierce Deity Link avoided the incoming Garo Master, rolling behind it and performing a Back Slice against it, damaging the Garo Master in the process. He repeated this maneuver again a second time, this time defeating the Garo Master, after which the Garo Master brandished a bomb to commit its ritual suicide, which in turn gave Fierce Deity Link the opportunity and freedom to aid his friends, using a Great Spin to destroy a few more Garo Robes to relieve some pressure onto Zelda and Saria, before engaging one of the Iron Knuckles once he knew the two faced the last ones of the Garo present. Darunia, Rauru and Impa joined Fierce Deity Link shortly after while Ruto and Nabooru assisted Saria and Zelda, after which only the Iron Knuckles remained, which were soon stripped off their armor and then defeated using the newly acquired Bomb Arrows. The Darkhammer was shocked at seeing the group rejuvenated and decimating the troops like that, before the group turned to face it, making it angry and brandishing the Ball and Chain again, charging at them. This time however, Saria intercepted it by firing an Ice Arrow herself, freezing the Darkhammer solid, after which she, together with Zelda and Link, used their own Ball and Chains to smash the frozen Darkhammer to pieces, defeating it and FINALLY ending the brutal fight, after which the group relaxed a bit, ignoring the chest that appeared in the room for now. Fierce Deity Link returned back to normal as he took off the mask, reverting back to Link himself as he leaned against the chest, sitting down against it. Saria, Zelda, Ruto and Nabooru soon joined him, with Impa, Rauru and Darunia following. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow… any more battles like this one and we’ll have one workout that will definitely test us to the core.” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You got that right.” Link said, nodding at her as the group rested together.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]A few minutes later, the group got back up, with Link opening the chest where, to his surprise, he located an item that they initially had ran out of at the start, but now had regained for the moment: The sacred Light Arrows.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright, Light Arrows!” Zelda said, smiling with joy.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I have a feeling we will be needing them soon.” Link said, making Zelda nod as the group went on its way again into the next room. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]When they arrived in the next room however, they blinked at what they saw. They had arrived in what appeared to be a small hallway, this time there were no enemies around as they had decimated them in the previous room already, but what surprised them was the amount of crates and chests around, which looked different from the ones they had seen before. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is this place?!” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This must be some kind of storage room for them…” Link said, checking out one of the chests where he discovered several bombs, arrows and spears, obviously meant for the Corrupted Soldiers to be used as ammo during their battles.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And what is that sound I hear, as if something sharp is colliding with a hard surface?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s from a Spiked Roller moving around on a lower part of this area. We’re above it in this room, so we won’t be bothered by it in this regard.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The others nodded as the group decided to use some of the arrows and bombs present to replenish their supplies, after which Darunia laid down a powder keg with a long fuse to destroy what was left in order to deprive the enemy of some of their weapons, with Impa and Rauru taking on some of the spears as well to have a melee/ranged weapon of their own other than their own daggers/blades. Once the group restocked on ammunition, they carefully ventured one after the other over the path towards the door on the far side of the room, which was a hallway with guardrails at the side and a single Eyegore at the far side of the room. Zelda and Saria took care of the Eyegore by shooting it in its eye when it was yellow, defeating it together after which the group went towards the next door, which took them back to the now cleared entrance of the Temple. Once there, after taking out the Stalfos that remained there, they felt the room shaking a bit as the Powder Keg exploded, doing its job into crippling the enemy’s supply of ammunition. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, this was it, right?” Zelda asked as they went outside to the Stone Tower area itself.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I hope so…” Link said, seeing that the bridge they had made to enter the Temple was still in place, allowing the group to hop over it and back towards the platform they saw as a safe area, although this puzzled Link as the statues they had made were gone, seeing that rocks had replaced them. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just as the group arrived on that platform however, a small band of Gerudo Pirates arrived in the area, surrounding them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You have made it this far, but this is where your trip ends.” One of the Pirates said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh yeah?! Who says?!” Nabooru said, holding her blades tightly.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Lord Ganondorf won’t be happy when he learns of you penetrating his stronghold here…” The Pirate replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“How about this?!” Zelda then asked, charging up a Light Arrow and shot it at the Pirate, whom deflected it to the side…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hah! That didn’t help you much did you, what do you think-“[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Gerudo Pirate didn’t finish her sentence as there was a golden flash for a moment, indicating the Light Arrow hit a target, followed a split second later by a chiming sound.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What was that?” The Pirate asked, while the group looked around. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Suddenly, Link gasped out in horror, seeing what has caused the chiming sound.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is it?” Saria asked, just as the tower began to rumble.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“W – What’s going on?!” Impa asked as the Gerudo Pirates looked around as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Step back everyone…” Link said in a shaky voice, taking a few steps closer to the wall behind. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Confused, the Sages did so… just as the whole area seemed to move… as if it was turning… [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is happening?! Why are we-?!” Zelda asked, unable to finish her sentence as the entire Stone Tower suddenly flipped upside down, with the entire group suddenly screaming as they fell from the ground-turned ceiling onto the ceiling turned ground, although a few screams sounded more terrified and longer before fading altogether. Link, Saria, Zelda, Ruto, Nabooru, Darunia, Impa and Rauru as well as a few Pirates whom were initially surrounding them were dazed from the landing, while the Pirate Group’s Leader and a few of her underlings were nowhere to be seen…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link held his head, shaking the stars out of his vision as he tried to get himself together, before he blinked as he sat up. He noticed that the entire Stone Tower area had been flipped upside down, trapping the group inside the area with directly ahead the flipped entrance to the Stone Tower Temple, with four blocks that served as a bridge floating in the air. He also noticed that these blocks had the image of the Triforce on them, but had no connection to Hyrule’s Royal Family in turn… [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, dear Goddesses…” He said, “please guide us safely through this ordeal…” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just then he heard Zelda moan as she recovered. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What happened?!” She asked as Link crawled to her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I have some good news and some bad news…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Start with the good…” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The good news is that you and I, as well as the Six Sages, are still together and alive.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s terrific, but what’s the bad news then?”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The Stone Tower area is now flipped upside down.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What?! Are you kidding me?!” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No, just look around…” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda looked around and saw that the Stone Tower area itself was now up into what was used to by the sky… and that the sky was now BELOW them…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh no! How could this have happened?” She asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“One of the Pirates deflected the Light Arrow you fired and it struck the Red Emblem at the Temple’s entrance by mere coincidence. I’m afraid our duties concerning the Stone Tower Temple aren’t concluded just yet.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda looked down as if ashamed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hey, don’t look so down; none of us could have seen this coming. Take comfort in the fact that I know where we have to go in this Temple, so we should be able to move through it safely.” Link said, putting a hand on Zelda’s shoulder.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Are you certain of this?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I am.” Link said, confidence shining in his voice, just as Saria and the others recovered…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once Link and the Sages had recovered and Link informed the Sages of what has happened, they prepared themselves for the inevitable, which was that they had to move through the Stone Tower Temple now it was upside down. Just then, the four Pirates whom were with the group on the main platform also recovered, with the group noticing that the jewelry on their foreheads had cracked or were even completely destroyed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Ugh, what has happened here?” One of the Gerudo asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Why is everything… upside down?” Another asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The Temple area had been flipped upside down.” Nabooru said to them. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Seeing Nabooru, the Gerudo all bowed down to her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Lady Nabooru, please forgive us… we were put under a spell by Ganondorf himself in order to guard this facility.” One of them said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wait, where is our commander here?” A second Gerudo asked. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link walked to the edge of the platform they were on and looked down into the sky. There he saw partially broken glaives sticking into the wall, as if they had been stabbed in there as a form of a last ditch attempt to get a grip on a wall and save themselves to climb up. Sighing, Link turned to the others and shook his head. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m afraid you won’t be seeing her, as well as a few of her comrades, again.” He said, causing the group to move to the edge and looking down, seeing what Link had seen, causing the four Gerudo to gasp in horror, two of them silently weeping even, while Nabooru looked on solemnly. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Then, Nabooru saw Link hopping on the blocks, heading towards the Temple.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Link? Where are you going?” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m going to end this; the sooner this place is cleansed from the evil inside, the sooner we can get out of here and we won’t have to return to this place ever again. I don’t like this place as much as you do, but this is a case of having to face and overcome your fears.” Link said, before moving into the entrance of the Temple.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Entering the Temple in its inverted state, Link looked around, sighing as he resigned himself to what has to come, seeing the path going down to an opened chest and a safe platform ahead. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Link, wait up!” He heard Zelda say. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link turned around, seeing Zelda, Saria, Ruto and Nabooru enter the Temple, shortly followed by Impa, Darunia and Rauru. Also joining in were the four Gerudo Pirates, whom wished to join up for this to give the group extra manpower for this area. Link smiled at them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Glad you could join.” He said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No problem; if you wish to finish the job here, we’re here to help.” Zelda said, smiling as well.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link nodded in appreciation, before carefully moving down the path and towards the right, where he moved towards the door that was present there, remembering where he had to go.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You know, it may seem weird but the shape of the stone statue ahead looks like an idol of Majora’s Mask…” Impa said, taking a good look at it as she waited her turn.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link looked towards the statue.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You know, you’re right. I never noticed that up until now…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Maybe the ancient tribe has made this into their home?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Possibly, but it could also allude further to the theories that go with this temple, I don’t know for sure.” Link said, before he entered the door, arriving in a hallway where the first light-absorbing mirror was found.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon moving into the larger room, the group could see that the water was now gone and that the holes in the ceiling from which the sunlight came through had been turned into air currents, blowing air from below which was strong enough to lift even a Goron up in the air.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Where do we go from here?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“The door to continue here is on the top left, close to the ceiling. Saria, can you make us something that will make us reach it with the aid of these air currents here?” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sure thing.” Saria said with a smile, focusing her powers to create large leaves of a large tree, big enough to make it like a makeshift umbrella. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link smiled at this, taking one of the leaves and held it above his head, gripping the sides tightly before jumping in the air current to the left… which blew air in the leaf from below, making it become a makeshift parachute that first lifted Link upward to the ceiling and in turn making him glide towards the door he wanted to go in. Zelda, Ruto, Nabooru and Saria herself followed shortly, while Link opened the door  to make room for the others to join in. Darunia was given a stronger leaf that would help in getting him join with the other Sages, while the four Gerudo Pirates obediently followed as well.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon arriving in the next room, the group, excluding Link, blinked at seeing lava flowing at the ceiling, which didn’t fall down, but it did release burning rocks from it, which could form a hazard in the room, especially for Ruto. They also noticed a door directly ahead, coupled with the blood-stained red emblem above it. Link waited until everyone was in the room. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This is going to get tricky, so brace yourselves.” Link said, preparing a Light Arrow.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What are you doing?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll be turning this room around once so we can cross the lava, which is at toe-height here, to the center of the room, after which I’ll flip it again upside down so we can get through the door. I’ll be also carrying Ruto to the center area as well.” Link said, making Ruto blush a bit. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Are you certain of this?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Trust me, I’ve done this before.”  Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hey, I’ll be glad to carry you to the other side as well.” Darunia said, “this lava doesn’t hurt me.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sweet!” Saria said, feeling relieved.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“In fact, let me carry you in groups to the other side at once, this will let us bypass the lava and the debris and will let us safely get to the other side.” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Alright then. Brace yourselves since now we’re going right side up again.” Link said, firing a Light Arrow onto the Red Emblem, which turned the room (and by extension the Temple) right side up again, although this did momentarily trap the group inside the room. Everyone grunted as they fell from the floor-turned ceiling to the ceiling turned floor, while the lava was now on the ground and had no debris falling from it. Recovering swiftly, Darunia then picked up Link, Saria, Zelda and Ruto and safely carried them to the other side of the room, wading through the lava without injuries or other problems, setting the four down at the other side. Darunia then returned and repeated this with Impa, Nabooru and two of the Gerudo Pirates, after which he returned again to pick up Rauru and the two remaining Pirates. Once everyone was safely at the other side, Link shot a Light Arrow in the Red Emblem again, turning the room back upside down with everyone landing again on the ceiling-turned floor, but in turn did allow them to exit the room as they were now at the door.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Seriously, whoever built this must have had quite a sadistic mind…” Zelda said, grunting as she got back up from the ground.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I was thinking along the same lines when I first explored this temple.” Link said, helping her up before doing the same with Saria and Ruto. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once everyone was up again, the group entered the next room which already had an unlocked door, a block that was in place, the red emblems above the door and a yellow and a green ChuChu that were guarding the door ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Good thing this puzzle is already solved…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“How so?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, to solve this puzzle, I had to push that block into place, while flipping the room over and over again just to get it into its proper place.” Link replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Wow, that must have been quite tedious.” Zelda said as the group moved to the door, taking out the ChuChus along the way and climbing up using either the block as a stepping stone or just climbing directly on top of the platform before heading for the door, moving through it to enter the next room…
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 39: Another old enemy…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group arrived in the next room, the first thing they noticed was that they were now in the room where Darunia collected the map, with the lava on the ceiling and it unleashing burning debris at regular intervals. On top of that, a Wizrobe appeared in the room, with fire sticking from the top of its cane.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh for Nayru’s sake, not THIS guy again!?” Link said, facepalming in utter frustration.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You have faced him before, huh?” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, this is the SIXTH time I’ve encountered him.” Link replied, seeing the Wizrobe dancing around before teleporting away, appearing again on one of the pads that were laid out spread throughout the room. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link immediately saw where he was and blasted him with a Light Arrow, making him vanish and reappear on a different pad, this time Saria shot him with a Light Arrow. Then, the Wizrobe tried to trick the group into making illusionary copies of himself, but the group saw through the trick and struck him again twice with a Light Arrow, defeating it and making the pads vanish.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That was way too easy.” Zelda commented. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I agree.” Saria said, as the group made their way to the other side using their Hook- and Clawshots to get on the other side with the aid of a chest that was standing there, with Darunia, Rauru and Impa each taking one of the Gerudo Pirates with them as a passenger to ensure no one gets left behind. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Moving down the staircase, the group arrived in the open room where there was a hole in the floor to let sunlight through, but now they were on a small platform… There were however small bridges made to the other side of the area instead of being just an open floor that would make one fall into the sky.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These bridges are new… apparently the two know about this place and its history…” Link said, moving on the bridge to the right, while Saria covered him by shooting an arrow at one of the Poes that appeared, defeating it. Once the group reached the other side, they climbed into the alcove, finding themselves in the room where they had defeated the Real Bombchus and the Dodongos before… although they were now facing Death Armos, the floating Armos Statues that were waiting for something to move underneath them to crush the unfortunate victim.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These freaks will crush us if we pass underneath them!” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I know, which is why we can use this to our advantage.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh? How?” One of the Gerudo Pirates asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Take a look on their bodies; they sport the same red emblem we saw elsewhere in the Temple.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, I see them!” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I can see them too, so what’s your idea?” Saria asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Simple, fire a Light Arrow underneath them to make them flip over and then taunt them into trying to crush us. If done right, they should crash in the floor instead, which critically damages them to make them explode like the normal Armos. You can use your shields to defend against it.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right.” Ruto said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link demonstrated the tactic by moving to a Death Armos, using a Light Arrow to make it flip over, before moving underneath it on purpose. The Death Armos fell for it, moving to slam down on Link, only for Link to move out of the way, causing the Death Armos to hit the ground head-first instead, making it flash red as it was damaged before detonating in an explosion, never to be seen again.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Now THAT is an explosive headache.” Link said, causing Zelda, Saria, Ruto and Nabooru to laugh, while Impa, Rauru and Darunia were highly amused. The four Pirates were confused, but chuckled nonetheless.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]With the remaining Death Armos being given a similar treatment, the group went on to the next room, entering a room that also had bridges around to connect the areas better. With this in mind, Link shot an arrow to move some Spike Mines out of the way before proceeding to a door at the far side of the area. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh man, I’ve seen some crazy stuff, but this is ridiculous!” One of the Pirates said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah; I mean, we’re basically upside down now, doesn’t this affect the other regions out here?” A second one asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That thought occurred to me as well,” Link said, “but as I used the Song of Soaring to move towards a different location back when the Owl Statues were around, the whole area automatically flipped back to normal, as if negating the effects of the magic that allows the Stone Tower to be flipped like this.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So what happens if you do fall down here?” The third Pirate asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Beats me; you basically fall into the sky and probably land somewhere else. Either way, you’re a goner if this happens.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda shuddered as the group entered the next door, which led into a safe corridor with numerous crates stacked against the walls, the area being guarded by Two Blue Bubbles and one Green Bubble. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Watch yourself around these Blue Bubbles; they can jinx you at the slightest touch!” Link said once the others were in the room, with Saria using a Light Arrow to instantly kill one of the Blue Bubbles. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Ruto did the same with the second Blue Bubble, while Zelda took out the Green Bubble once its green flames were temporarily extinguished. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I wonder what’s in the crates…” One of the Pirates said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Definitely some ammunition…” Link mused, opening one crate to see another multitude of arrows. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“At least they’ll be put to good use… for us.” Zelda said as she restocked along with Saria, while Nabooru discovered a crate with sealed bottles containing red and green potions.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We should take these, just in case.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right, some extra medical supplies can be useful,” Link said, nodding, “although we should probably invest money into acquiring Blue Potions once we move back to Hyrule to take down Ganondorf and Majora once and for all.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Blue Potions?” One of the Pirates asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yep. Blue potions basically combine the effects of the Red and Green potions, they can help in recovering from injuries quicker AND they will restore magic power if the one who drinks it is both wounded AND drained at the same time.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“A wise idea to invest in them then.” Zelda said, nodding.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m also considering to get us some Chateau Romani as well, so we’ll have infinite magic power for the next three days.” Link then said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group nodded as they entered the next room, after which the door closed behind them…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What’s going on here?!” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hmmm, I fought Gomess the last time I was here…” Link said, drawing his blade as he was ready to confront whatever was ahead.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You have exceeded my expectations…” A dark voice then sounded… it was Ganondorf![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Ganondorf!” Link and Zelda said, with Zelda also drawing her sword, just like Link…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I never thought you’d be foolish enough to enter our domain here in Termina’s Stone Tower and yet here you are, in complete defiance of my destiny as King of the World…” Ganondorf said with a dark chuckle.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Screw you! All you want is power, while the people of Hyrule and Termina languish in poverty and starvation!” Zelda snapped.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And don’t think we’ve forgotten what you did to us not too long ago!” Nabooru snarled, also drawing her weapons, as did the other Sages and their Gerudo Pirate allies.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It would be foolish of me to think just that, Nabooru… now that I know that death has been unable to stop you so far…” Ganondorf said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then come here and show your face so we can put you in your place!” Link then said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, sounds like you got a talent for rhyming too, boy… a kid of many talents and with such a fighting spirit…” Ganondorf said as the area began to turn dark.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Immediately the Sages, Link and their allies were at full alert, keeping a close watch on each other, just as a figure approached them. It was as tall as Ganondorf himself, but instead of his face, it wore a skeletal-like helmet and was wielding a staff. It was Phantom Ganon! [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Out of all the beings…” Saria said, remembering how Phantom Ganon had captured her and trapped her within the Forest Temple, causing Link to go in and defeat him which in turn awakened her as a Sage in the first place.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Brings back memories, huh?” Phantom Ganon said with a dark chuckle, twirling his staff around as if he was ready to attack.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link and the Sages were ready to fight back, right before Phantom Ganon charged an electric sphere and fired it at the group, which Link intercepted and reflected it with his sword, which was returned again by Phantom Ganon. Link swatted it back again, which was again returned by their foe, with Link striking it back again. This time however, Phantom Ganon didn’t strike it back, but wasn’t hit by it either, even when it was directed towards him. Instead, Phantom Ganon moved to the right and charged at the group, staff forward with the intention to strike them directly. The group saw him coming and moved out of the way, with Link rolling to the side, recovering and, seeing he was now behind Phantom Ganon, fired a Light Arrow at him, striking the evil spirit from beyond, whom roared in pain as the light of justice struck him with force. Saria then used this as a ticket to slash Phantom Ganon several times before he knocked her aside with an electric punch. Saria yelped as she was hit like that, causing Link to retaliate with a second Light Arrow, although Phantom Ganon blocked it this time. However, this left him open for Nabooru who charged from the side, slashing at the fiend with her dual Gilded Scimitar Swords, doing substantial damage, before Phantom Ganon whacked her in the face with his staff, before using it to knock Zelda right into Link, after which he used and electric sphere to strike Link and Zelda both, causing the two children to scream in pain as the volatile electricity racked over their bodies. Ruto however used her Dual Fin Boomerangs to attack Phantom Ganon, with the latter avoiding the Fins, but leaving him open for a strike with the Magical Boomerang, stunning it so Rauru could strike it with his Light-based attacks, shortly followed by Darunia pounding on the evil spirit and Impa slashed at it using her daggers. The four Gerudo pirates assisted the group by smacking and stabbing Phantom Ganon with their glaives. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You traitors!” Phantom Ganon snarled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Traitors?! Hah! Your eyes tell us that you simply were hungry for power! How can someone who even let people of their OWN KIND suffer be our King?!” One of the Pirates snarled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Putting us in your control to make us do your bidding is also an insult to what we stand for; we may be thieves or pirates, but even WE have standards, unlike you!” The Second pirate snapped.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Pah! So you would rather stay confined to the desert or isolated into your fortress at the coast rather than being able to live in the other parts of the world without the harsh climate of the desert?!” Phantom Ganon asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That is of no concern; our way of living is within OUR hands!” The third Pirate said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So be it then, you were always stubborn fools for defying me first time, but this time your defiance will cost you EVERYTHING!” Phantom Ganon said, swinging his staff like a bat or a club to knock the Pirates aside, right before Link and Zelda performed a Dual Back Slash on him, causing him to roar in pain before turning to face them, blocking their further strikes.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You meddlesome kids! If you would have just stayed dead and given your powers to me, you wouldn’t be dealing with this pain!” Phantom Ganon roared as he then moved his staff down in a stabbing motion to the two. Link and Zelda both avoided it, but the staff hit the ground near them, unleashing an electric force field that zapped Link and Zelda simultaneously, right before a Light Arrow courtesy of Saria stunned him, ceasing the field, after which Darunia grabbed Phantom Ganon by the neck and, with a fierce Goron Fire Punch, clobbered the fiend to the far side of the room, making Phantom Ganon grunt.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Angered, Phantom Ganon decided to deploy a new tactic and, in a style reminiscent of Meg, one of the Poe Sisters, summoned a total of three copies of himself to keep the group occupied and giving himself the chance to properly fight. These copies were just as tangible as he was, which in turn would make things harder. One of his copies faced the four freed Gerudo Pirates, the second one went up against Impa, Darunia and Rauru and the third clone faced Saria, Ruto and Nabooru, allowing the REAL Phantom Ganon to solely focus on Link and Zelda, who just got up after recovering from the electric force field that was unleashed on them. Phantom Ganon chuckled at seeing the angry expressions on the faces of the hero and the princess.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Why so angry?” He taunted.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You’ve done enough!” Link snarled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hyrule and Termina are not yours to control!” Zelda added.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“On the contrary, Hyrule is already mine. And what I may lose here will be taken back.” Phantom Ganon said, laughing.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Not if we have anything to say about it!” Link and Zelda defiantly shouted, their blades ready.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You two definitely have guts. I shall remember that when I end your pitiful lives and hand over your powers to my creator. He’ll be very pleased to obtain those pieces of the Triforce that you have. Time to end this!” Phantom Ganon said, before rearing back and tossing his staff to the two. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Link and Zelda avoided the staff impaling them, but  were too late to get out of the way in time; the staff landed between the two, with the outward spikes trapping the arms that held their respective swords against the wall, causing the two to grunt as they hit the wall, in effect making them drop their swords as Phantom Ganon approached them. Both Link and Zelda sent a glare of absolute death to the approaching fiend, subconsciously holding each other’s hand as if giving each other some form of support for each other. Phantom Ganon merely chuckled.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You two must have heard those cheesy children’s stories during your upbringing, right? Those old stories of bad guy kidnapping or cursing princess, hero beats bad guy and rescues princess, princess kisses hero and they all live happy ever after, right? Well, THIS story will have the hero and the princess together… but this time in death!” Phantom Ganon said, grabbing his staff to make the bladed parts press tightly against the trapped arms, cutting a bit into them before letting loose another discharge of electricity on the two. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda screamed in agony as the electricity ran over her body, but Link was merely grunting, gritting his teeth. He was in the same pain as Zelda was, but it didn’t stop him from trying to resist it, summoning all the power he could muster as he gave yet another glare of death at Phantom Ganon, who paid no attention to it. Link used this however as he loosened the grip on his shield which was at his right arm, letting the shocks and shaking to make it loosen from the arm… right before Link grabbed the last handle of his shield and swung his shield to his left, clobbering Phantom Ganon in the face, stunning him which in turn ceased the attack of his on the two. Dropping his Red Shield for the moment afterwards, Link then grabbed the staff and began to pull it out of the wall, which was aided soon by a recovering Zelda, freeing their trapped arms which had now a fresh, bleeding cut, Fortunately the cut wasn’t really deep, which in turn allowed to pick up their swords after tossing the staff aside, before both charged at Phantom Ganon and slashed across his chest together, as if dividing it in columns, before smashing their elbows in his face to make him fly to the far side of the room once again, giving the two some breathing room to pick up their shields, using the opportunity to aid the others by stunning the Phantom Ganon Clones by firing Light Arrows at them, giving their wounded friends the opportunity to finish the Clones off, regaining the focus on the Real Phantom Ganon.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Phantom Ganon himself got up and, being now furious after seeing his clones being defeated, he grabbed his staff and began to charge up a larger electric sphere, intending to electrocute everyone of the group to death. Link and Zelda however were having none of it and, seeing the sphere grow in size, they both launched another Light Arrow at the fiend, striking him and making him lose control of the sphere, making it hit him instead, giving the group a good view of Phantom Ganon’s skeleton as he was zapped by his own attack. The group winced as the attack in particular was agonizing, hearing Phantom Ganon’s distorted screams as he was being electrocuted for several seconds, before he laid still on the ground, his body still twitching due to the electric currents still zapping him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Is it over?” Nabooru asked as the group gathered once more, each of them showing injuries, one more than the other, but still alive.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I hope so…” Link said, although he still had his Gilded Master Sword ready.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You lot keep surprising me,” Ganondorf’s voice said, “it’s as if you have become better… at a quicker rate than I expected at that.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group remained silent, although Link and Zelda held onto Saria for support, with Saria using a lighter spell of hers to heal them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This is really something that I cannot ignore any longer, I guess I’ve gotten somewhat careless by underestimating your skill, a mistake that I do not intend on making again. The fact that I managed to kill some of you must have gotten to my head, although I did suspect that you would find a way to return to life. You managed to defeat my Phantom again and it is clear that you may succeed in cleansing the Stone Tower Temple… but don’t think for a moment that your labors are completed! If you are really bent on ending all of this, then come to the new tower in which Majora and I reside… then we will see what the fate of Hyrule and Termina will eventually lead to.” Ganondorf said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Your tower, huh?” Link asked, narrowing his eyes as the Phantom vanished into nothingness.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. I’ll be generous this time and let the Princess stay with you lot,” Ganondorf said, making Zelda blink, “considering that you care so much about her, she will simply share your eventual fate. Either way, our new lair awaits you. Come and get us, if you dare…” Ganondorf said, before his voice died off, the area becoming lighter again and the doors unlocking. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Finally the group could relax at this point, leaning on each other or their weapons, to rest up a bit and have their wounds checked, with Link and Zelda finally able to nurse their bleeding arms due to the staff having cut them there.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s get out of here and finish the job, so we can prepare ourselves for our trip to Hyrule.” Link said after a minute or two.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. The sooner we have disabled this place as a stronghold, the better.” Zelda said, as the group made their leave, moving back into the corridor with the Blue Bubbles, using the already opened crates to restock on Magic Power as well as arrows, while killing the Blue Bubbles along the way, ending back up in the Sky Room where they used the bridges to cross the area, heading for the other door they didn’t access yet.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once in the new room, they found themselves in the entrance of the Temple, bit this time at a lone platform at the opposite corner. Using his Light Arrow, Link flipped over a single Death Armos, before moving to it to taunt it into attacking him, making it crash into the ground while he used his shield to defend himself from the subsequent detonation. Then, he used his Hookshot to lock on a chest that was standing upside down above an upper platform in the middle of the room, hooking to it which took him to that platform, waiting for the others while moving on ahead to make space. Zelda and Saria both soon joined him, followed by Ruto.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“These things definitely have come in handy…” Saria said, observing her Hookshot.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed, huh?” Link said with a smile as Nabooru came towards them, having one of the Pirates with her. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The other Sages each took one of the Pirates as a passenger along, before they moved on in the next room, which was another bridge room that contained yet another Eyegore, but this time the door at the far side also had TWO Iron Knuckles guarding it. This time, Link took out the Eyegore using a charged Arrow shot, before the group focused on the two Iron Knuckles, letting them move forward one at a time so the group had the proper focus to take them out, using projectile attacks to take them out safely. Once that was done, the group moved on towards the room with the Spiked Roller, this time the room was more empty and had cracks and holes as well as burn marks in the wall, obviously from the detonation of some of the weapon supplies there. Using the Hookshots to move to the path on the higher area, they avoided the Beamos while moving on to the large door, entering it.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The group now found themselves in the same room as where they had fought the Darkhammer and its minions before, but now the room was flipped, with the hole in the center of the room now containing a sandpit. Having no other choice, the group hopped down into the sand pit and entered a vast desert area, where Link had once fought Twinmold with the aid of the Giant’s Mask. Fortunately Twinmold wasn’t present, but what they did see several Corrupt Soldiers around, as if they were here for a reason… it appeared they were guarding a device or something.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What is this place?!” Link asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It appears to be a sophisticated generator, but for what?” Zelda asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I don’t know for sure, but if those soldiers are around, it must be of importance to them as well as our nemeses.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Uh oh, they’ve clocked us!” Ruto said, seeing as several Assault Sword Soldiers indeed spotted the group and went on ahead to charge at the group. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Time for a combined assault; some of us concentrate on taking down that device, the others will keep these soldiers off their backs!” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And now is a good time to test these out…” Link said, setting up a Bomb Arrow to use as he took aim at a part of the device, firing it while Darunia, Zelda and Saria covered him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Bomb Arrow hit its mark, exploding upon impact and damaging the device. This did alert the other Soldiers, which in turn ignited the battle ahead.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The four Gerudo Pirates provided assistance by keeping several Assault Sword Soldiers at bay as the group fought, allowing Link, Saria and Zelda to take out other targets from a great distance using their arrows. The ‘Burst’ ability that the Ancient Fire Sage gave them proved very helpful as not only it allowed to take out a target with a single strike, it also allowed taking out multiple targets within the arrow’s path, giving them some breathing room before using Bomb Arrows to take out Bow Soldiers and Assault Spear Soldiers, before firing at the device to damage it from a distance. This proved to be quite helpful as the machine was now taking damage enough for parts of it to come off and fall down to the ground, as if the outer part was a form of armor for the machine’s core, that held a sphere inside in place, as if it was placed there with magic. Darunia, Rauru, Impa and Nabooru aided the Gerudo Pirates with fending off the Sword Soldiers, while Ruto used her Boomerangs to stun any of them that came too close for comfort, giving Link, Saria and Zelda the time needed to pelt the device with Bomb Arrows, which began to gradually take more damage as multiple explosions were seen during impacts of each Bomb Arrow, with the core itself beginning to take damage. The assault kept going until Link, Saria and Zelda simultaneously fired a Bomb Arrow directly at the core, striking it perfectly which in turn caused the core to take critical damage, beginning to shut down and get showered in explosions, which began to destroy the machine, causing the remaining Corrupted Soldiers to watch in horror as their machine was destroyed. In anger, the remaining Soldiers tried to attack the group, but were struck down without much trouble. Once the battle was over, the group would notice a portal appearing that would take them back to Ikana Canyon, this time back in the normal, non-flipped/inverted state. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Once back in Ikana Canyon, the group breathed a sigh of relief as they saw the dark clouds around the Stone Tower dissipating, indicating they had destroyed the root of evil there so far…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s one trouble less.” Link said, taking off his cap for a moment to scratch his head there before wiping some sweat away.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ll say.” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru then turned to the four Pirates that were still present, seeing they had a look of sadness and/or resignation on their faces, making the Gerudo leader sigh.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’re sorry for the loss of your comrades…” She said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” The first Pirate said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Do you have an idea of where to go next?” Link then asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“No… we would have gone back to our Fortress in Great Bay, but it’s still heavily guarded by comrades whom either willingly or forcibly serve Ganondorf and his cronies, so with our state of being now, we can’t go there.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What about we’ll let you meet up with a similar band of Gerudo that is also wandering around? Maybe Reimu or Leia can be of assistance to you.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You really want to do that for us?” The second pirate asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sure; it’s on our route anyway.” Zelda said with a smile.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Thank you.” The Gerudo said, smiling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then let’s go. I have no intention to stay here any longer.” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Link said as he moved on towards Ikana River.
[/font]
 
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Chapter 40: A Dark Theft[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]After climbing out of the Ikana River and using the ladder to reach the mainland of Ikana Valley.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Hopefully we can leave this land of the dead behind us forever…” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We all hope that, Link. After all, we have no business in such a land with a blood-stained history.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Indeed.” Link said, sighing.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You seem quite upset.” One of the Pirates said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, to be fair, I’ve had my share of traumatic experiences during my first visit here. The only thing I’m happy about now is that we didn’t have to go through the Ikana Well this time.” Link replied.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Ikana has a well too?” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yes. The only time I had to go in there was to find a way into Ikana Castle and had my own share of horrors there. Doors being guarded by Gibdos, spike rollers left, right up and down, respawning Wallmasters, rooms being blocked by spider webs… it makes the atmosphere of the Kakariko Well much more pleasant in comparison.” Link said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Zelda shuddered at this, as did Saria.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“At least we’re now much better equipped than when Majora sent five of us, including myself, here into that Skulltula-infested cavern…” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You got that right, Ruto. All I hope now is that there won’t be any webs blocking our path any time soon. They can be handy as catching nets or to treat injuries, but the itch of those threads on the bare skin is intolerably annoying.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I second that.” Saria said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I third that.” Zelda said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You got stuck in a web?” The second pirate asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, Majora decided to give us a trip of a life time by sending us into that cavern not too long ago, which caused us to end up landing directly into a giant web that was big and strong enough to simply hold the five of us while we were out cold.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yikes, that sounds nasty.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It was. Then again, Majora’s practically a lunatic who doesn’t care what the consequences of his actions are.” Link said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You got that right.” Zelda said.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just as Nabooru wanted to talk, Link was hit by an arrow in his arm, causing him to yelp in pain, right before a second one struck his leg, causing him to fall down on the ground.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Link?!” Saria asked, just as another arrow flew by, shortly followed by a scream of Zelda as she was hit by it in the back.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?!” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“OVER THERE!!!” The Third Pirate said, clocking the culprit just as another arrow flew by, striking Saria into her stomach.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru turned into the direction her fellow Gerudo said, seeing the person. It was a bald person with a white sweater and blue pants on, brandishing a bow and arrow. Immediately she recognized him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“SAKON! YOU BLOODY IDIOT, NOW I’M REALLY PISSED!” Nabooru snarled as she suddenly charged at him, her blades drawn as the thief made a run for it to his hideout. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sakon?!” Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“He’s a thief that stole a few items of ours and also knocked out Link and Zelda some time ago when he created a diversion using a bomb that scared Epona, causing her to throw Link and Zelda off of her…” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Narrowing her eyes, Impa let her Shadow Medallion glow as she was now getting royally pissed herself…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Sakon ran to his hideout again, his bow in hand.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“GET BACK HERE SO I CAN CUT YOUR HEAD OFF, YOU VILE, PRANCING MAROON!” Nabooru roared as she was gaining ground on him, having launched several Sword Sparks at him while he was running like crazy to avoid her strikes. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Sakon managed to enter his hideout in time, locking the door so Nabooru couldn’t get in, leading her to strike the boulder-shaped door with her blades.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“OPEN UP, YOU DIRTY COWARD! SHOW YOUR FACE SO I CAN CUT YOU UP!” Nabooru snarled from behind the door.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Try as you might, but you won’t break the door,” Sakon taunted, “those arrows I used have been tipped with a venom that will soon paralyze your little friends… that will teach them to stay out of my business…” Sakon said, taunting Nabooru, which caused the Gerudo woman to growl in anger more.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Poison Arrows, you said?!” She asked, growling.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yep. And only I have the antidote, which you’re never gonna get. Those three will learn what kind of price there is to messing with the great Sakon.” Sakon replied, taunting her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh yeah?” A stern, female voice then said from behind him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Sakon blinked at this, before turning around, coming face to face with a VERY pissed off Impa…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What the-?! How did you get in here?!” Sakon asked, bewildered.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That’s not of your concern. What IS of your concern is the amount of your bones that will remain intact once I’m through with you if you don’t tell me right now where the antidote is.” Impa said, making the motions of rolling up her sleeves which showed she was ready to inflict serious pain.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And why should I tell you that, woman? Those kids shouldn’t have meddled in my affairs!” Sakon defiantly said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]This made Impa smirk.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I was hoping you’d say that.” She said, approaching him…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru, having placed an ear against the boulder-door, suddenly startled as she heard some crashing, punching and kicking from behind the door, coupled with painful grunts and outcries of a male and the cool, collected, charging strikes from a female, which made Nabooru realize that Impa was laying the brutal smackdown on the prancing thief known as Sakon, which she knew he deserved it. It was then that one of the Pirates hurried to her. Nabooru looked up to see her.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What’s going on?” She asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It’s the three children… they’re barely moving…” The Gerudo said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then the poison must be taking effect!” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Poison?!” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Yeah, Sakon used Poison Arrows in an attempt to paralyze Link, Zelda and Saria. Impa’s gone after him to get the antidote and Impa sure doesn’t mess around.” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I hope it’s quick…” The Gerudo said in worry.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I hope so too.” Nabooru said. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Soon enough, Impa returned with a small bottle in her hands.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ve got it, now let’s go.” Impa said, rushing back to where the others were, with Nabooru and the Gerudo in tow. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon reaching the group, they could see that Princess Ruto was practically in hysterics, with Darunia looking worried as Link, Saria and Zelda laid rather limply on the ground, still alive, but unable to move a muscle![/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This would better work…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It will; I told Sakon that if it doesn’t, I’ll come back for him and take the others with me to end him.” Impa replied as she rushed over to Zelda, who could barely move her head, but the three children did acknowledge her presence; their eyes were the only things they could still freely move… [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Kneeling down, Impa put the tip of the bottle against Zelda’s lips after opening it and made her drink her part of it, using gentle massages to make her swallow it and prevent her choking on it. She repeated the same maneuver with Link and Saria respectively, before the bottle was empty.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“It may take some time for it to take effect, so we can rest up here to be sure it works.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Great idea. It’ll also let us keep an eye on Sakon…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Where is Sakon anyway?!” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I simply messed him up and he now lies in a crumpled heap somewhere in his hideout.” Impa calmly said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh wow!” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“And I told him I would take you to him to make things worse for him if this antidote doesn’t work. By all accounts, regardless of what he thinks of himself, he’s actually quite a coward that knows when to value his own life, no matter how pathetic it is.” Impa said, making Ruto chuckle lightly.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Then they could hear the three moaning. Looking at them, they could see that they tried to move, but were unable to do so; to them it was as if everything had gotten stiff except for their eyes. Even their speech was currently impaired for the moment.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Should we take them to the Great Fairy in Clock Town though? Maybe she can help in fixing them completely?” Rauru suggested.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We will visit her soon, I first want to make sure that the antidote is working good enough for them to stay alive long enough in order for us to reach her in the first place.” Impa said, now noticing that the wounds have been bandaged and the arrows that inflicted the pain having been pulled out and cast aside.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Gerudo Pirates adjusted the children to a more comfortable lying position to prevent them from swallowing their tongues and choking to death because of it. Zelda on her turn managed to look at Impa, who was gently caressing her face. Zelda’s only response was a single tear rolling down her face. Link and Saria were facing each other, the both of them also silently crying as they were unable to do anything at the time. Nabooru gently stroked their faces to comfort them, knowing that everything will be alright. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We should get going. We can use the horses to help in carrying them. The area remains uncomfortable to me…” Darunia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. We’ll head to Clock Town then.” Impa said, leaving a shadow clone behind, just to be sure. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]While Impa picked up Zelda to carry her, Darunia picked up Saria while Nabooru picked up Link. It broke Nabooru’s heart to see the once energetic, heroic young man being so ruthlessly deprived of any form of movement for the time being… using her own spiritual powers, she made a quick check on the three before they went on their way.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Let’s take it easy; the antidote is currently in the process of neutralizing the poison within their veins.” She said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Right. Let’s hope the Goddesses can aid us…” Impa said, nodding.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Sakon in the meantime was scared, upset, terrified, angry… he was basically in a turmoil. He succeeded in striking those meddlesome children with his self-created Poison Arrows, but he underestimated the immediate response of what he presumed to be guardians of those children, with him being chased all the way into his hideout and being beaten into a severe mess, to the point of being FORCED to give the antidote to her. So his revenge would end up being short-lived after all. He growled in frustration as he wanted things to be WORSE for them. Sighing, he tried to get up and move to his quarters.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Where are YOU going?!” A dark, female voice then called out to him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Huh?! Who’s there?!” Sakon asked, turning around. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Due to the darkness in his hideout, as well as his vision still being somewhat hazy from the beating he took from Impa, he was unable to see the person with him clearly, as if shadows were talking to him.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“A simple-minded, yet cunning thief… quite resourceful from what we’ve seen…” A dark, male voice said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“However your transgressions have gone too far…” A second dark, female voice said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What do you mean? All I wanted was to teach those kids a lesson for meddling in my affairs, they should know better!” Sakon protested.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So, you resort to such a vile action… Those three you targeted are not yours to take care of!” The dark, male voice said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, what are they to you then? Friends of yours?” Sakon scoffed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Not exactly friends, but more like people whom we have our own score to settle with. Having done what you did was absolutely rude!” The first dark female said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh cry me a river. You’re lucky that they’ve been given an antidote.” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh, yes. But you did it reluctantly, seeing your expression tells us all.” A third dark female voice said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Like you can do anything against it now. They’re not with you right now, so what’s the point of coming here?” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“You’re right about them not being with us at the moment. We will meet them soon enough however.” The second dark female said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“As for why we’re here, you shouldn’t worry about that. In fact, you won’t have to worry about anything anymore.” The first dark female said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Suddenly, what appeared to be dark vines shot from the walls and shot around the prancing thief, wrapping him up tightly in what appeared to be a cocoon-like fashion. Sakon tried to fight, but his weakened body was unable to resist against it as he was soon encased inside the vines. A dark hand of a pre-teen girl then appeared in the light, as if controlling the vines, leaning in a relaxed state, before it moved upright and went in a clenching motion, as if creating a fist slowly. Sakon’s shouts of protest turned into screams of pain as the vines began to press tighter against him, putting pressure onto his body which grew and grew more intense with each second, before a loud *CRUNCH* ceased the outcries in an instant, with a dark liquid oozing from between the vines… when it dripped on the ground in the light, it was apparent that this liquid was a crimson red in color. A few seconds later, the vines vanished, causing Sakon to fall to the ground, his arms and legs bent and twisted in different angles, his mouth open in a silent, agonizing scream, his eyes empty and his face and body showing similar contortions as if the bones in there have been completely snapped, the crimson-red liquid soiling his outfit. He didn’t move a single muscle after his landing… nor did he even breathe. Sakon was dead. Stepping into the light, holding the hand into a relaxed state now, was none other than Dark Saria, accompanied by Dark Link, Dark Zelda… and another dark female with the same dark gray to black color palette all over, save for the crimson to blood-red eyes, whom was more of an adult. She also had the different jewelry on her that was befitting of a Gerudo. This was Dark Nabooru, a nigh-perfect clone of the leader of the Gerudo Tribe, but this one was, like the other dark clones, loyal to the forces of Evil. Walking over to Sakon’s corpse, she extended a hand to it, lifting something that looked like a sphere from it, guiding it in the air. Letting it float still, she then raised her other hand in the air, before bringing her hand down to her face while also clenching it into a fist. In an instant response, the sphere burst apart with a *SPLAT*, causing Sakon’s body to give one final jerk before it laid still forever, after which the four Dark figures vanished from the hideout in a plume of black smoke, letting Sakon’s corpse decay within his own hideout, never to be discovered… except for one person who hid in the shadows… appalled at what she just witnessed…[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Safely moving down the cliff from Ikana Valley after dealing with the resident Nejirons, the remaining Sages joined up with the horses that were still waiting for them close to the pathway that led to the Ikana Graveyard. Epona was still standing still, although she was worried about her master. She neighed when she saw the group approaching, galloping towards Nabooru who held Link, butting its head against the young Hyrulean warrior. Link merely grunted weakly, which worried Epona.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We’ll fix ‘em up for you, girl.” Nabooru said to Epona, laying Link on one of the large horses along with Saria and Zelda, with two Pirates aiding them to ensure they wouldn’t fall from it as they made their way towards East Termina Field. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]With Princess Ruto already eliminating the Real Bombchus and Blue Bubbles up ahead, the group took their time while the remaining Gerudo Pirates, as well as Darunia, were watching the group’s back, ready to intercept enemies coming from behind if necessary.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“So many things have happened the last few days…” Nabooru said in a lamenting tone.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I know… it’s not easy to actually cope with such affairs in such a short span of time… and yet the fate of Hyrule and Termina both lies on the shoulders of Link and the Sages, including you and me.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“We definitely can use some time off once this is all over. Otherwise it would drive us completely nuts.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I agree. Perhaps we can make plans once the fight is actually over, but until then…” Impa said, sighing.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Nabooru nodded as the group continued on their way.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group arrived in Termina Field, they saw that there was a carriage up ahead at East Clock Town, seeing two people inside, who also didn’t look well… it were Romani and Cremia! Although the two ranch girls looked fine in regards to having no injuries whatsoever, they did look quite exhausted, as if they had just managed to make a daring escape or went through another chase scenario, the latter being apparently more plausible as the milk bottles they had with them were damaged, but not broken. Seeing the group coming, the two recognized Princess Ruto and Nabooru, waving at them as the group approached them, before blinking at seeing Link, Saria and Zelda lying limp on one of the horses. Nabooru was constantly checking on them and was relieved to find out that at least their breathing had become stable; the poison was neutralized in time before it could affect the lungs and the hearts…[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Oh my, what happened to them?!” Cremia asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“That thief named Sakon nailed them with Poison Arrows. We managed to give them antidote in time though…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]At the same time, Impa’s Shadow Clone dispersed, giving Impa her knowledge, which made her eyes widen in shock for a moment.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Well, it looks like Sakon won’t be much of a bother to us anymore.” She said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What do you mean?” Ruto asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Sakon’s been killed.”[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“What?! How do you know?!” Nabooru asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I left a Shadow Clone behind to keep an eye out on the thief so we can be informed ahead in case he tries anything funny. However something happened which I didn’t expect; dark, evil voices addressed the thief before he was wrapped into what appeared to be vines and then crushed to death and after that something was removed from him and destroyed… I assume that was his spirit… since I saw who did it.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Who?” [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’ve seen the Dark clones of Link and Zelda in the room, this time accompanied by two more Dark clones, one of Saria, the Forest Sage… and one of you, Nabooru.” Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]This information shocked Nabooru to the core, making her go in a state of briefly experiencing a Heroic Blue Screen of Death, staggering backwards before falling on her rear on the ground.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“This… this can’t be happening…“ Nabooru said, clearly upset.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“Then I wouldn’t be surprised if they would make something similar with me…” Ruto said, annoyed.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I’m afraid so… “ Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“But why would they kill Sakon?” One of the Pirates asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I don’t know. Sakon is however not in league with Ganondorf and/or Majora, making him more of a lone wolf thief whom operates on either his own accord or when he can get some profit off of it; Link told us about him before.” Ruto said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]“I remember now; he said that Sakon was once seen in the Curiosity Shop to sell the goods he stole to the shop owner, in the case where Link witnessed it, the offering was a set of Big Bomb Bags that Sakon stole from an old lady…” Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"How rude!" The First Gerudo Pirate said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"And now the thief's dead?" The Second Pirate asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Yep and as far as I know, he won't ever come back." Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Then we have something to watch out for." Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"The only advantage that Link and Zelda had was that the clones were made from the time where they hadn't learned those moves from the Swordsman’s School yet, so the same will count for those of Saria, Ruto and Nabooru. But this doesn't make them any less dangerous; Dark Saria can summon vines with the intention to constrict and crush a victim, much like a snake and she could be more affiliated with killing people, as the Saria herself is practically the embodiment of life due to her being the Forest Sage..." Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Gosh, I bet Saria won't like that..." Ruto said, shocked as the group carried on to North Clock Town, with Romani and Cremia following them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"So, what happened to you?" Nabooru then asked the two Romani Ranch sisters.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Nothing really major, just the Gorman Brothers being a pain in the butt again, now that I've realized who's behind all of the assaults in trying to put me out of business..." Cremia said, clearly annoyed at them.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Have you considered taking steps against them?" Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"I have, but they claimed innocence and seemed insulted at that. It's simply them playing it so they pass off to the others as normal people and giving me a bad name." Cremia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"At least Grasshopper believes my sister." Romani said. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Grasshopper?" Impa asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"That's Romani's affectionate nickname for Link." Ruto said, causing Impa to chuckle.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"At least we managed to make the delivery in time..." Cremia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Hmmm, perhaps you can work together with Malon and Talon in Hyrule's ranch?" Impa then offered.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Yeah, that way you will be able to reach out your Chateau Romani to more public as well..." Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Are you sure?" Cremia asked.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"I'm sure Talon would understand. Perhaps it could retain you a place to work on in case it does come to the worst and you won't be bothered by those Gorman Brothers..." Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Hmmm, this does deserve some thought. Who knows what it can bring for us; perhaps we can actually get a more sustainable income to at least take care of the basic needs of us and our animals without having to look out for potential saboteurs..." Cremia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Exactly." Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"I'll be definitely thinking about it. It may take some time though, since this is the first time that I've been given such an offer, but nonetheless consider it a point of interest." Cremia said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Alright. We're off to North Clock Town to get our friends healed up again and then we're off to Hyrule to finally put an end to this whole situation." Impa said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Alright. Perhaps I can make an arrangement for you to get a special discount of Chateau Romani for being genuinely trying to help me." Cremia said as she went off the cart to help load the jars of milk inside the milk town.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Thank you." Nabooru said, nodding as she went on her way with the others again.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Romani went to help her sister to bring the jars into Clock Town, looking around the area while having her bow and arrow ready as if she was like a security guard for her.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]As the group approached North Clock Town, they could hear the three children grunting and/or moaning, indicating that they were trying to talk, but the remnants of the poison still kept their bodies docile and paralyzed, although they could at least look around a little more.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Relax, please. We'll get you fixed as soon as we can. It won't be long now." Impa said, stroking Zelda's face, getting a little saddened when she felt a moist area on her cheek, which indicated that Zelda had been crying, yet she knew she was fighting to pull through.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"It's getting a bit more drafty here..." One of the Pirates said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"The mountain region known as Snowhead is directly ahead. It's mountain tops are usually covered with snow, although the snow reaches all the way down North Termina Field when it's winter..." Ruto said, shivering a bit. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"I see... wow, it's like traveling around the world for a bit." She said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Yep, we've pretty much seen most of Hyrule and Termina in the span of time we've been traveling to help in saving the lands, even to areas that are not exactly known to public with the exception for ancient stories and everything." Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"Oh? What places have you seen, my Lady?" [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"We've seen places that enemy forces occupied in areas between the Swamp and Ikana, within the vast forest between Hyrule and Termina and  a dangerous, lava-filled country between Ikana and Snowhead. It's been quite hectic for us I tell you..." Nabooru said.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"That I can see." [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"We were fortunate to have the horses which have save quite a lot of the normal traveling time. Otherwise we'd still be in either the Forest outpost or the lava one..." [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]"I see what you mean." The Pirate said, nodding as the group entered North Clock Town, with Ruto and Nabooru leading the way to the resident Great Fairy's Fountain, the guard looking on in worry.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Impa stroked Zelda’s face again as the group climbed the pathway going up the entrance to the fountain, leaving the horse outside to carry the three children inside the fountain. Both Link and Saria looked as if they were asleep, but their faces and all said otherwise, hoping they would soon recover from this ordeal…
[/font]
 
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