Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction / Starcraft Fan Fiction / Batman Beyond Fan Fiction ❯ Tassadar's Legacy: Rebirth ❯ 100 Ways To Get Lost In The Lost Woods ( Chapter 6 )

I shut my eyes tight and felt the ground beneath my feet disappear and all sense of gravity disappeared. When I felt the ground beneath my feet again and the light shining through my eyelids dimmed, I took a deep breath and calmly opened my eyes.

 

The first thing my eyes noticed is trees. Green, trees, grass, wood, stones… did I mention trees? I suddenly became aware of the fact that I'm practically clinging onto Sheik. A bit embarrassed, I let go and stepped back. Sheik cleared his throat and said, “This is the Appex of the Sacred Forest Meadow. It serves as the entrance to the Forest Temple.” He gestured to the ruins behind us as he said this.

 

I nodded. I know the place already. It's just so… different. I mean, it's the same as from the game, but it's different too. You can't see the depth of the trees or the length of the grass, or the smell of the woods, or the light playing through the leaves… you can't see that through a television screen. The difference is almost overwhelming.

 

In awe, I walked over to the staircase leading to the rest of the place and looked down at the rest of the Sacred Forest Meadow. I couldn't see it all, since the trees flanking the sides of the path down the hill we're on hid it from view. What I could see looks beautiful, except for the Moblin. I eyed the ugly pig like brute of a moblin eying the base of the stairs below me menacingly as if they could move at any moment. Is it incapable of looking up, or is it just stupid? Sheik walked up to stand behind me for a moment, looking at the Moblin himself. I felt a small breeze brush past my ear, and I watched as the Moblin suddenly collapsed with a shiny black knife protruding from its forehead. Just as soon it's head hit the ground, it melted away in a weird green flame.

 

I turned to stare at Sheik, amazed. Sheik put a hand on my shoulder, and said, “Come.” I asked, “Where are we going?” Sheik answered, “The Kokiri Forest.” I stopped following Sheik at the bottom of the steps. I remembered the conversation I overheard last night and bit my lip. If I'm going to find out what's going on it's now or never. Feeling apprehensive, I waited while Sheik collected his knife off the ground. Sheik turned to me and paused for a moment, looking concerned, then walked up to me and asked quietly, “Matthew, what's wrong?... If you're worried about the Moblin, it's not actually dead. It will be back, but you shouldn't have pity for it. It is an evil creature created solely for the purpose of doing Ganondorf's will.”

 

I shook my head and said, “It's not that… Sheik… I heard you and Aunt Beast talking last night…” I heard Sheik's small gasp and I looked down and continued, “What's going on? Who is `the one'? What danger does he face, and what does it have to do with me?” Sheik didn't move for a moment, then he knelt down on one knee in front of me. Taking a hold of my chin and lifting my chin up to look in his eyes, he said, “I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I wasn't sure how to bring it up, but I planned on telling you when we got closer to our destination…” Sheik took a deep breath and said, “Right now, I need you to trust me. I can't go into much detail here, but I promise I will tell you everything soon.” I nodded and said, “Ok…”

 

Sheik stood back up and said, “Come. The faster we move, the sooner I can answer your questions.” So we ended up walking far quicker than before down the rest of the stairs. Sheik peaked around the corner at another Moblin while I waited. I watched Sheik as we waited for the Moblin to turn its back. When it did, I was amazed when Sheik's hand suddenly blurred and I heard the Moblin cry out as it died. I shook my head, glad to be on Sheik's side, after all, how could I face someone who moved faster than I could see?

 

Following Sheik's instruction, I climbed a ladder onto the top of the hedges of stone and grass that form a maze that takes up most of the Sacred Forest Meadow. Meanwhile Sheik retrieved his knife then scaled up the wall and pulled himself up and caught up to me. Quickly, we made our way over the hedges, occasionally jumping over gaps. I froze at the first jump, but I handled the rest fine. Reaching the end, Sheik jumped down and I climbed down and dropped while hanging from the edge.

 

As soon as I dropped, I heard a howl and I felt my blood freeze. I'd forgotten about the wolfos that appear here! I pulled out my sword with shaking hands. I shouldn't have bothered though for as soon as they appeared, they died with knives in their throats. I gulped and said, “I am so glad I'm on your side. You could probably beat up Ganondorf without Link's help.” Sheik bowed his head in gratitude and I could've sworn I saw him blush as he went to pick up his knives. Once he had them he said, “We must now cross through the lost woods. Stick close to me and if we pass through any place dark, I want you to hold onto me.” I nodded and said, “Ok.” Grabbing Sheik's hand, we walked through the fallen and hollowed out tree trunk into a small clearing with plenty of trees and shrubs so packed together that they practically formed a wall.

 

I kept a hold of Sheik's hand and he lead me through hollowed out log after log. I lost count of the turns and the number of logs we went through after fifty. I couldn't understand why It's taking so long when it only took me a few minutes to get through this area in the game. There were far less turns and logs to go through too. Maybe the Lost Woods is messing with my head? I just kept a hold of Sheik's hand and hoped we'd get out soon.

 

Finally, after what literally felt like the entire day, we emerged out of a hollowed log and came out onto the cliff overlooking Kokiri Forest. Unlike the other places, Kokiri forest looks exactly like I'd imagined it would. Perhaps that's unsurprising in a place where the sense of time doesn't exist and it's always Spring. I sighed in relief to finally be out of that maze that looks the same no matter which way you turn. The sun also sat high in the sky, proving to me we couldn't have been in the Lost Woods nearly as long as it seemed.

 

Sheik turned to me and said, “This is the Kokiri Forest, home to the Kokiri Forest and the Great Deku Tree Sprout. We're here because we need to talk to the Deku Tree Sprout. Are you ready?” I took a deep breath and nodded. As we walked down, I notice out of the corner of my eyes movement. I turn just in time to see a Kokiri run behind a house. Looking around, I noticed the entire place appeared to be empty.

 

Before I had a chance to ask about it, Sheik said, “The Kokiri, who are perpetually childlike in their age and temperament, have a child like fear of the unknown, especially now since they were only just freed a few weeks ago from Ganondorf's oppression. They may hide from us, but given time, they will come out on their own.” I nodded at Sheik's explanation and said, “You know a lot about Hyrule don't you?” Sheik glanced at me out of the corner of his eye then looked back to the path we were following and said, “One must know a lot about all the peoples of this land if someone is to bring us all together once Ganon is no more.”

 

As we neared the entrance to the Deku Tree's grotto, a shaky, “H-hey! You can't go in there! N-no outsiders!” came out of the brush next to the entrance. Sheik and I stopped and a small boy with a freckled face and a rather long nose came out of hiding. Though he shook like a leaf, he stood his ground in front of us and said, “N-NO outsiders!” Sheik crossed his arms and said to Mido, “Do you remember the man who came through here who rescued you?” Mido nodded. Sheik continued, “He's hurt and we're here to get the Great Deku Tree Sprout's help.”

 

Mido looked taken aback and said, “He's hurt? B-but… you're lying! There's no way a guy like that could be hurt by anything!” On a sudden inspiration, I pursed my lips and started whistling Saria's song. Both Sheik and Mido glanced at me in surprise. When I finished, Mido said, “You know that song?... That man did too… but… who are you? You don't even look Hylian…” I shook my head and said, “I'm not a Hylian. I'm not even from Hyrule. But I know Saria, and I know that man. He has a name you know.” Stepping forward I told Mido, “You were right all along Mido. Link never was a Kokiri. He was a Hylian who had lost his family to war and the Great Deku Tree took him in personally, knowing he'd someday grow up and save Kokiri Forest and all of Hyrule. Imagine his surprise when he comes back and his main tormentor has nothing but regret for what he did to him. Does it make you feel good knowing that all the self doubt you preyed on him for turned out to be true?”

 

Mido's face, which had nearly frozen in shock when he realized that man who'd rescued them was Link, turned white and he sputtered, near tears. Feeling a little bad, I continued, “I'm sure he forgave you though. Especially after you asked him to. I imagine it took everything he had not to shock you further by telling you who he really is. If you really want to make up for it, let him know you know who he is and welcome him back with open arms, ok?” Wiping his face, Mido nodded miserably and said quietly, “Ok…” I nodded and walked past him, not looking back. While Sheik followed quietly.

 

Halfway down the path, Sheik stopped me with a hand on my shoulder and asked, “What was that about?” I looked down and bit my lip. Since his hand is on my shoulder, I knew he could tell I was trembling. Unbidden, a tear slipped down my face and I hastily brushed it away. Sheik got down on one knee and hugged me to him and asked again, “What was that about?” I took a shaky breath and said quietly, “I know how Mido treated Link. Everything he did to him was terrible… but worse still, I experienced all of it… I know what it feels like to have Mido and the others do to Link what they did. Every day at school, I go through the same thing. Every single person I meet has something bad to say about me. Even people younger than me I've never met before point and make fun of me. I can't help but understand what Link goes through.”

 

Wiping my face again to catch any stray tears, I continued, “I experience the same thing at home and even at my church. Anywhere I go, I can't get away from the things they said. Link grew up with that just like I did. If I can make that at least a little better for him… even if it means making the jerk who hurt Link cry…” I couldn't continue. Sheik held me tight and I buried my face in his shoulder to hide the tears that wouldn't stop coming. I felt angry. Angry at my own weakness and wishing the tears would stop. Angry that no matter what I did, the damage was done. What happened to Link couldn't be undone… but I could at least try to make it better right?

 

Sheik whispered in my ear, “I understand. I can't say what you did was right, but I understand.” He didn't say anything else. He didn't need to. I took a shaky breath and tried to reign in my wayward tears. Finally I pulled back and wiped my face. Looking down I said, “I don't like what I did much… I probably could've handled it better… I- I will apologize to him… just… I can't right now. I will later when we're done talking to the Deku Tree Sprout, ok?”

 

Sheik nodded and put an arm around my shoulders. I gave him a small smile and said, “Thanks Sheik.” Sheik gave a small squeeze to my shoulders in reply. He let go when the path we were following opened up. I stared up in awe at the Great Deku Tree. Even dead, it's amazing how magnificent and large it is. We made our way to it's base toward a little sapling sitting at it's base. Once we were closer, I stared in slight amusement at the goofy grin on the saplings face. Once close enough, it opened its mouth and greeted, “Hello Sheik and new comer! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

 

We stopped in front of the Deku Tree Sprout and Sheik gave a small bow, so I followed suit. Straightening up, Sheik said, “Greetings Great Deku Tree Sprout. This is Matthew. He is from Earth.” The Great Deku Tree looked at me and asked, “It is nice to meet you Matthew. I'd shake your hand but as you can see I have nothing to offer to shake, except maybe a few leaves!” I grinned slightly at the joke, not sure if I should laugh or not.

 

Sheik all but rolled his eyes and said, “Please Great Deku Tree Sprout. We need your wisdom. I have reason to believe this boy to be who they refer to as `The One' in the Prophecy.” The Great Deku Tree Sprout's air of humor vanished in an instant and it stared at me, astonished. He asked, “You believe this boy to be The One, from the prophecy? The Prophecy of The One, The Three, and The Many?” Sheik nodded and said nothing more.

 

The Great Deku Tree narrowed his eyes and, surprisingly, leaned forward towards me. I hadn't thought a tree could do that. He regarded me, then shook his head and said, “No, this is not the one of the prophecy. There is too much missing. There's also something deep inside. Something hidden.” Sheik shook his head and said, “I am certain he is The One. What is hidden is what we seek. Do you know of a way we can uncover what it is?”

 

The Great Deku Tree Sprout didn't answer for a good while. Sheik waited patiently while my mind buzzed with questions, almost to the point of giving me a headache. Finally, The Great Deku Tree Sprout said, “There is a place deep within my Woods that may just hold the answer you seek. I must warn you though, it is not a place to tread lightly. It is closed off from the rest of the Lost Woods and is home and prison to some of the more disreputable of my creatures. Take heed of its name well, for your answer lies within the Vareshi Swamp.”

 

I watched in no small horror as Sheik's pale face suddenly drained of color. It was only for a moment, then his color returned to his face and said, “I know of the Vareshi Swamp. We should be able to make it through. You speak of the temple hidden at its apex I assume?” Sheik looked his usual confident self to the point I wondered if I'd only imagined the fear rolling off of him a moment ago.

 

The Great Deku Tree Sprout said, “Yes, that is where you'll find your answers.” Sheik nodded and asked, “Can you take us there?” The Great Deku Tree Sprout sighed softly and said, “Yes, I will take you there. You would not be able to reach it otherwise.” Sheik nodded and said, “Take me first, so Matthew will know what to expect?” I watched in surprise as vines and roots snaked out of the ground and completely wrapped Sheik in a cocoon and pulled him into the ground. If I had not seen it, I wouldn't have known it happened. The grass where he had stood didn't look like it'd been disturbed at all.

 

I turned to The Great Deku Tree Sprout and asked, “Um… can you tell me what is hidden within me?” The sprout answered as vines shot out of the ground to wrap around me, “I do not know what lies within you. All I know is that it is powerful and buried within your mind. The Temple of the Wanders from afar may tell you more.” I nodded just as the vines wrapped around me completely. I heard the sound of rock and ground crunching and I held my breath. While enroute, I puzzled over what kind of place the Temple of the Wanders From Afar would be like and why the name sounded so familiar…