The Legend of Zelda: A New Era (Book 2)(Hiatus)

Chapter 1: A Test of Love

Though the Darkness was slowing, the forest in which Link had called home looked as if it came from a nightmare. With everything that had happened, he had no time to take in all the damage. All that mattered now was that the Kokiri were safe and no one, besides the Deku tree had died. He vowed to keep it that way.

Link looked around as he walked through up the path to Lost Woods. He remembered feeling useless the last time they were all there. If not for his friends, he would have died before being reawakened.

"Link"

Navi had perched herself on Link's shoulder the whole way back.

"What are you going to do about Dark Link? He vanished again. With him still around, things will be more difficult."

"I know. I now know how to defeat him but the last battle left us with no chance. We just need to let him find us. It won't be long. Trust me."

"I know. I'm still worried about what he could be doing."

The little fairy was restless as she sat atop his shoulder. The trip to the Sanctuary was now short but that didn't help her worries and fears.

Everything was quiet. Not even the animals were there to make a sound. To Link, it felt a little ominous. It was then that the familiar light shone brightly and Nayru appeared.

"I see that it is time to take the challenges I have set for you Hero. Now step forth and do not falter."

Just ahead of Link, a large set of steps rose from the ground to connect the path just above to the ground in which he now stood. From what he could see, the path led to nothingness. Not so strange considering the way he was taken to his first trial.

Knowing what he must now do, he set forth with his new determination and vowed to do whatever it took to obtain the ring and become one more step closer to stopping the Phantom.

At the end of the path, a sight all too familiar lay just ahead of him, the eerie entrance to the temple that held his first encounter with Phantom Ganon.

Thinking that this trial was going to be easy, he walked up to the door and opened it. However, behind the door lay a wall and a seemingly bottomless pit. With the courage of a true hero, he jumped down.

After a small fall, and picking himself up, he heard a faint cry in the distance. Pulling out his sword, he drew power to the blade. This illuminated just a few feet ahead of him and revealed a long hallway. Not wanting to waste any time thinking, he pushed on. The closer he got the louder the crying became. He was even able to tell that it was of a child.

"Do you need help?"

Link shouted just loud enough for his voice to reach. The crying had then stopped as his echoes had subsided.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Sniffles could be heard between each sentence.

"My mommy is trapped and I can't get her out."

As Link finally got close enough, he could see that the child crying was neither Kokiri nor Hylian. Not even Gerudo. The child was that of a Lizalfos. Knowing the exact point of this test, he calmly walked up to it and placed a hand over its head.

"It will be okay child. Though you may be of a species the overworld sees as hostile, I, however, have seen that there is more to the darkness than hatred."

The child's weeping instantly stopped and looked up at Link. They wiped their eyes to get a better look only to cower in fear of knowing who he was.

"No, please. I didn't do anything."

"It's okay child. In no way do I intend to harm you. Now, can you tell me what happened? I would be more than happy to help."