Chapter Five: Dark Indwelling It took Link and Kage about two days to reach their destination. They had decided against going to the castle and were now heading back to where their adventures first began: the Kokiri Forest and Lost Woods. They left the horses near the forest’s edge, confident that their trusty steeds would come when called. As they entered the Kokiri Village, the villagers all turned and gaped in astonishment as two familiar looking strangers walked into their midst. "Hold it! You two intruders stop right where you are!" Mido’s voice demanded, as Mido himself stepped up to them, sword and shield at the ready. Link and Kage looked at one another. They were not really counting on Mido recognizing them since they had grown up. "He doesn’t recognize us, Link." Kage muttered, with a grin, knowing that it drove Mido crazy when anyone spoke so low that he couldn’t hear them. "How should I recognize you? I’ve never even seen you before!" Mido shouted, furiously. "Maybe this will jog your memory." Link said, whipping out his ocarina and playing Saria’s Song. Kage joined his ocarina’s sound to Link’s and they played the whole song through for the Kokiri. "Waitaminute! That’s Saria’s Song you just played! Then that means……..You’re Link and Kage!" Mido yelped, as the realization sank in. "Yep. Back from the outside world, if only for a little while. Where is Saria, by the way?" Kage asked, as he looked around for their friend. Mido’s countenance fell. "She’s in the Sacred Forest Meadow. Been there since Ganondorf came through seven years ago. He recognized her as the Sage of the Forest and locked her away. The only way we can tell if she’s still alive is when she plays her song on her ocarina." Mido said, sadly. "We’ll free her, don’t worry about that." Kage said, as he and Link started heading for the Lost Woods. "Be careful in there! There’s Moblins hanging around!" Mido shouted at the retreating backs of the two heroes. "Gee, Mido, didn’t even know you cared! Thanks for the warning!" Link shouted back, much to Mido’s frustration. "Hey! Who said I cared about the likes of you?! Misfit!" Mido shouted, angrily, then sat down in a huff. As carefully as they could, Kage and Link both moved quietly into the Lost Woods. They couldn’t see the Moblins, but they could certainly smell them. "It’s so much darker in here than it was last time." Kage murmured, feeling the same oppressive atmosphere that they had felt when they emerged from the Temple of Light. "That’s all Ganondorf’s doing. He set all kinds of evil loose here. It’s now up to us to set the record straight again." Link said, grimly, as he looked at the Master Sword’s blade. Silently he wondered how much harder it would have been if he hadn’t had his best friend by his side. Even though Kage did complain a lot and argue with his guardian sprite most of the time when he was younger, he was still his partner. They had both been at the brunt of Mido’s cruel jokes, got vomited up by a giant fish, and so many other good memories. If Kage hadn’t been there when he’d needed help, where would he be now? Link shook those thoughts from his head and continued onward, motioning for Kage and the two fairies to follow as he went. "Yuck………Moblins smell worse than Jabu’s vomit…….." Kage grumbled, as he peeked around a corner at the dog-like creatures. "These guys can’t be hurt from the front, Link. You’ve gotta sneak up on them when their backs are turned." Navi said, wisely. "Good point. Take a look at the weapons they’re carrying! They have us filleted before we could even get one good blow in!" Kage said, eyeing the monsters’ six-foot-long spears warily. They got their chance to attack when the Moblin turned around. With deadly aim, Kage and Link fired their hookshots at the beast. The stricken Moblin fell without so much as a whimper. "Let’s find Saria and go. I don’t like the feel of these woods at all." Mizuu said, as the two heroes carefully stepped over the carcass of the Moblin and continued on their way. A few paths and several Moblins later, they arrived in the Sacred Forest Meadow. They were shocked by what they saw. The once lush, green meadow had been reduced to nothing more than a field of dead grass and stubble from what they could only surmise to have been a fire. "Saria! Saria, where are you?" Kage asked, as fear began to edge its way into his voice, when he saw that there was no sign of the Forest Sage. "She is not here, Hero of Memories." Came a different, yet familiar, voice. "Sheik!" Link and Kage yelped at the same time. The Sheikah nodded, solemnly, as he stepped out of the shadows. "How and when did you get here, Sheik?" Link asked, wondering how Sheik could have gotten past the Moblins without attracting unwanted attention. "I have my methods, Hero of Time. There is something I must tell you…and there is something more that I need to teach you. So listen carefully." Sheik said, grimly. Link and Kage nodded, understanding the weight of their mission. "The flow of time can be extremely cruel. It flows differently for each person and yet there is nothing that can be done to change it. It continues to flow on, whether you are with it or not. Now, take out your ocarinas, there is yet another melody that you need to learn." Sheik said, as he brought out a golden harp and started playing the tune he desired to teach the two heroes. Link and Kage paid the utmost attention to Sheik as he played, then they tried the tune. By now, the two young men were very adept at playing the ocarina and could almost pick out any tune from any source. When they had finished mastering the tune, Sheik looked at them with a serious look in his ruby eyes (when is he not serious?). "That tune you have just learned was the Minuet of Forest. It will come in handy when you are trapped somewhere. It will instantly transport you back here. Farewell for now, Heroes." Sheik said, before disappearing in a puff of smoke. "I don’t think I will ever understand that guy." Kage muttered, shaking his head, in exasperation. "I know what you mean, Kage. He’s even more mysterious than Impa, if that feat in itself were possible." Link said, as he started walking towards a path that he’d never seen before. "Navi, what’s at the end of this path?" Link asked, looking up at the sprite as she hovered over him. "This path leads to the Forest Temple. That might be where Saria is being held." Navi replied. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let’s go!" Kage said, enthusiastically, leading the way down the path. Link shrugged at the two fairies then followed his friend. They stopped when they reached a high ledge. "Now how do we get up there?" Kage asked. "Simple." Link said, pulling out his trusty hookshot and aiming at a tree branch that was a good three feet above the ledge. "You’re pretty smart for a blond." Kage said, getting his first dirty look from Link since seven years ago. "Don’t start, Kage." Link grumbled, as he used the hookshot to get up onto the ledge. "If looks could kill! Whew!" Mizuu said, flying up before she too received a dirty look. When they had all gotten to the top of the ledge, they could see that two Wolfos guarded the entrance to the temple. "Not again." Kage moaned, remembering their last run-in with the beasts. Taking a beast apiece, Link and Kage moved quickly to avoid the sharp claws and teeth. This time, they got out of the battle unscathed, a fact that Kage was pleased to see and feel. "Let’s hurry, Saria could be in real danger in there." Link said, as he wiped the Master Sword off on a cloth (a rag of what used to be his old tunic), but kept it unsheathed in case something else attacked him. As they entered, Kage noticed that a treasure chest sat unopened just to their left. "Hey, Link, what do you think could be in this thing?" Kage asked, as he tested the lock and found that it was stuck. "I don’t know. Go ahead and open it, but be quick about it. There’s something in here." Link said, keeping a close eye on the path in front of them, ready for anything. "Here, Link! Catch!" Kage called, tossing something small over to him. "What’s this, Kage? A key?" Link asked, as he eyed the small gold key that now rested in the palm of his hand. "Yep. It was the only thing in there. Let’s go. Saria’s waitin’ on us." Kage said, as he pushed forward. With a thoughtful nod, Link pocketed the key and followed after his friend. As they passed from room to room, the two heroes became aware of the different entities that called the temple home. They didn’t belong at all. "This place just keeps getting creepier. Was this caused by Ganondorf’s spread of evil in this kingdom?" Kage asked, when they’d entered a room and four ghosts flew off in different directions at their approach. "Had to have been. I think this evil presence is what killed the Deku Tree seven years ago." Link replied, as they continued their trek through the temple. After they had climbed a staircase and destroyed what appeared to be a bubble, they entered a hall with a blue block, barring their way. "Great. Now what?" Kage grumbled. "Looks like Ganondorf knew we would come through here at some point and blocked the way into the next chamber. Any suggestions on what to do now?" Link asked, turning to his comrades for guidance. "Why don’t you try using the Song of Time? It opened the way to you before." Mizuu suggested, getting a shudder of revulsion from Kage. "The last time we used that song we got put to sleep by Ganondorf. I would rather not have a repeat of that." Kage said. "Who said that it would happen again? It’s worth a shot!" Navi argued. To avoid anyone getting into a fight over the matter, Link raised the Ocarina of Time to his lips and started playing the Song of Time. To their amazement, the stone block cracked and crumbled into a fine powder. "Whoa." Kage muttered, as Link walked forward, motioning for them to follow him. After they had gone through several more rooms, they all stopped in their tracks. Something was not right. "Get ready for a fight, Kage, there’s something coming this way." Link whispered. He was right; there were three Stalfos heading straight for them. Seeing that it was too late for them to find a safe place to hide, they went ahead and charged hell for leather straight into the Stalfos. The startled skeletons barely even had enough time to act, before they were smashed to pieces by the two warriors. "Bein’ grown up sure beats bein’ small, ne, Link?" Kage asked, satisfactorily. "If you say so, Kage." Link said, somewhat agreeing with his friend. They both looked up when they heard the sound of stone grinding against stone. Once again, a door had been opened, and a couple of treasure chests revealed. "More stuff to carry? Great. Just marvelous!" Kage griped, as Link walked over and opened one of the chests. "Well? What did you find in there, Link?" Navi asked, as she hovered over his shoulder. "A bow and a quiver of arrows. These should be relatively easy to carry." Link said, as he slung the quiver over his shoulder. Kage did the same, feeling rather ashamed of himself for complaining about that. Once they had exited the room, Kage shuddered as a cold draft blew past him. "There’s something near, Link. Something evil." Navi said, as they cautiously descended down some stairs. "I know, Navi, I can feel it too. And it’s coming from those paintings." Link said, pinpointing the source of the evil he’d felt. Kage looked up at the huge paintings with a look of revulsion on his face. The paintings were of a beautiful young woman dressed in blue silk. "Her eyes are like ice." Kage said, as he started to back away from the portrait. "I know. I can feel that icy evil coming from those eyes. Any suggestions on what to do now?" Link asked, as he and Kage climbed another staircase to get a good shot at the portraits. "Do what you think you should do, Link! Think! Where could a ghost hide and be pretty safe until someone came along?" Navi asked. "A painting! Of course! Kage! Fire your bow at the paintings in the next room! I’ll handle this one!" Link shouted, as he readied his bow for firing. Even though he’d never used a bow before, Link’s aim was true and the arrow struck the center of the painting and watched as it started burning. With the imminent destruction of the first painting, an eerie screaming came to their ears and the image of the young woman came out of the painting itself. Before the image could retreat into the painting next to it, Link fired off another arrow and destroyed it. As though angered by this, the screaming got louder as the image headed for the third and final painting. Taking a deep breath, Link fired an arrow at the remaining painting and watched as flames spread from the center of the canvas, destroying the portrait. "You dare to destroy my paintings? Now you shall die!" the image said, with evil dripping from her voice. Link leaped to avoid ice daggers that fell from overhead, narrowly avoiding being impaled by the horrid creature. From what he could tell, Kage was now fighting another creature exactly like the one he was facing, for now he could hear Kage shouting obscenities and moving to avoid getting killed. "I think you’re the one who’s gonna die, lady, again!" Link shouted, as he fired another arrow, this one aimed at the ghost’s chest. The arrow found its mark, and the ghost screamed in agony as she burned up. On the other side of the room, a torch erupted in flames, shedding an eerie blue light over the room. In the room adjacent, Kage finished off his adversary, and yelped with surprise when the torch across from him ignited. "Good work, Link!" Kage shouted, rejoining his friend, grinning from ear to ear as he said so. "You didn’t do half bad yourself, Kage." Link said, as he dusted himself off. "It’s not over yet, you two. We still have a few more of those things left, so be on your guard." Navi warned. "You sure know how to rain on a guy’s parade, Navi." Kage muttered, giving the fairy the infamous flat-eyed look. "Well, it is the truth, ya know." Navi rebuked, dodging Kage’s hand as he swatted at her. "That’s enough, you two. Let’s take care of those banshees, then you can fight amongst yourselves, okay?" Link said. "Okay." Kage said, as he prepared to go deeper into the temple. Several hours and two Poe Sisters later, Link and Kage arrived at the base of a circular platform. "Hookshot time." Kage said, with a grin. "Yep." Link agreed, as he pulled the mentioned piece of equipment out of his pack. Within moments, they had scaled the platform and were standing on top of it. "There’s nothing up here…………………….?!" Kage said, but was prevented from saying anything more by the stone walls suddenly blocking off their path, trapping them. "What the #@$% is going on?!" Mizuu shouted, as the ground shook underneath the two warriors, sending them sprawling. "Everyone, look!" Link shouted, pointing at a glowing figure on horseback that was heading straight for them. "Oh shit! It’s Ganondorf!" Kage yelped, dodging as the horseman galloped past them. For a few moments, the two warriors panicked. This was almost a repeat of their first encounter with the evil Gerudo, but then they got their wits about them and faced the specter. "It’s his shadow! He’s like the Poe Sisters! Hit the paintings! It’ll force him to come out in physical form!" Sheik’s voice shouted, from somewhere nearby. "Thanks Sheik! Let’s get this guy, even if he is a shadow!" Kage shouted, as he notched another arrow into his bow and took aim. "Link! When Ganondorf’s shadow comes out without his horse, Kage will hit him with an arrow and you take him out with the sword!" Navi said. "Okay!" Link shouted, as he unsheathed the Master Sword and stood ready. With deadly accuracy, Kage fired several shots at the paintings, getting the same results as he had with the Poe Sisters’ paintings. Finally, after taking so much abuse, the phantom appeared without his steed, in a form that Link and Kage could take out. "Hit him again, Kage!" Link shouted, as Ganon unsheathed his own sword and started advancing on him. "I can’t! I’m out of arrows! It’ll take a few seconds for them to replenish!" Kage shouted, looking frantic as the demonic looking shadow got closer to Link. With a yell, Link charged at the phantom, only to get violently repulsed. "LINK!!!" Kage yelped, watching helplessly as his friend hit a wall with the sickening sound of cracking bone. "Link, are you all right?" Navi asked, as she fluttered over to him, as he slowly sat up. "I……………….I think so………………….ugh……………." Link choked, shuddering in pain. "Kage, you’re on your own this time! Link’s been too badly hurt to fight! It’s up to you to get us out alive!" Mizuu shouted, watching helplessly as Link held a badly wounded left arm, trying to stem the gross bleeding that was coming from a gash in the limb. For a moment, Kage went numb. His friend had been badly hurt, he was on his own for the first time in this adventure. Then anger rose up within him. With a growl, Kage stood back up, unsheathed his sword, and charged at the phantom. "Kage! Link’s already tried that!" Mizuu shouted, then watched in amazement as Kage disappeared into the shadows. "D-did you see that?!" Mizuu yelped, as she scanned the darkened recesses of the room for her charge. "He’s using his kind’s ancient secret tactic. He’s blending in with the shadows and using them to his advantage. Watch." Navi said, as something slashed the phantom from behind. Before long, the phantom was looking worse for wear. "This is for hurting Link!" Kage screamed, leaping in from nowhere and stabbing the phantom right in the chest. With a moan, the phantom crumbled into dust. "All right, Kage! You did it!" Mizuu shouted, joyfully. Kage smiled, then went to his friend’s side. "Can you get up, Link?" Kage asked, as he tied off the blood flow from the wounded arm. "Dunno……………I think so." Link said, weakly, as he struggled into a stand and leaned on his friend’s shoulder. Before anything more could be said, they were surrounded by a blue light and transported into another chamber. "Link! Kage!" a familiar voice shouted, joyfully. "Saria!" the four battle weary travelers replied, in unison, as Saria gave the two warriors a hug. "You don’t know how glad I am to see that you’re alive! I knew you were too tough to get killed by Ganondorf!" Saria declared, then noticed Link wince and sink to his knees. "Saria, do you have any salve on you? Link got pretty badly banged up by the phantom Ganondorf." Kage said, with a worried look on his face. "I don’t have any salve, but I do have something that will work even better." Saria said, enigmatically, as she pulled out a green medallion. "That’s the Forest Medallion!" Navi said, as she watched Saria put it around the neck of Link. For a moment, nothing happened, then green light surrounded Link and sank into him. Kage watched in disbelief as the cut in Link’s arm healed right before his eyes. When the light had faded completely, Link was standing there, looking completely at a loss for what had just happened. Saria giggled at the confused look on Link’s face. "That is the power of the Forest Amulet. Now you have only four more amulets to go. Good luck to you both." Saria said, with a proud smile. "But what about you, Saria? Are you going to stay here?" Kage asked, as Link got back to his feet. "I’m going to go to the Temple of Light and join Rauru there. When I next see you two, you’ll probably have all of the amulets by then. Farewell till then, brave heroes!" Saria said, as she played a song on her ocarina and disappeared without a trace. "She’s gone………….." Link murmured, then looked at the amulet that still hung around his neck. "But at least she’s safe. Let’s go, we’ve got a long journey ahead of us." Kage said, as a passage opened to the outside and they both safely exited the temple.