Trees were spread throughout Hyrule Field here and there, but the trees and all other plantation grew in numbers. Soon, they were surrounded, and could no longer see the castle. Though enough light broke through the thick trees for them to see, it was dark enough to run into a low hanging branch or trip over a tree root, as the path was quite overgrown. Eventually, Link had to dismount Epona, and slowly walk alongside her, occasionally slashing tall grass that grew in their path, collecting the rupees that strangely enough, fell out of the grass as he cut it.
"Does this ring any bells, Mari?" He asked, as he squinted ahead.
"Well, in general, I know what a forest is supposed to look like, but it holds no centimental value to me," she admitted.
Link looked around. "Well, nonetheless, it's a pretty place," He commented. "But it doesn't feel any different from anywhere else, I mean, it doesn't feel cursed."
"It does to me." Mari said. "Us fairies are sensitive to life force, and other types of energy. This place is really rich with it."
"Really?" He took another look around. It still seemed like a regular place. "Would you be able to tell if a malevolent energy is near us?"
Mari was quiet for a moment, testing if she could. Finally, she said,"Hard to say. It's all mixed together. But, I can feel a huge lump of benevolent energy about a mile ahead!"
Link looked forward eagerly. "That must mean we're nearing a village!" He picked up his pace, pulling Epona along a bit faster.
But he grinded to a halt at the sound of a scream. He paused, acknowledging it, then without hesitation, ran in the direction of the scream.
"Wait, Link! It could be a trap!" Mari warned.
But he continued running. It wasn't long after, that Link found the owner of the voice: a little girl with golden hair, and a white vest over a bright green dress surrounded by skulltulas.
Link swiftly snuck up behind one, and slayed it quickly. But sneak attacks only work once, and the other two skulltulas dropped from their webs, closing in on Link.
He slowly backed away, keeping them at bay as long as he could. Eventually, one skulltula lunged at him, but he jumped out of the way. Unfortunately, he wasn't as quick with the second skulltula, and it wrapped itself around him, beginning to layer him with its sticky web. He struggled to move his arms, to slice his way out.
"Link! Topple over on it!" Mari advised him.
Link tried to obey, but the skulltula kept forcing back. He used this to his advantage, and waited until it had pushed him against a tree. He pulled his knee up, and kicked the trunk, using the momentum to send both himself and the skulltula to the ground.
The spider was paralyzed for a moment by the shock of the fall, and Link took the chance, holding his sword up, and bringing it down, stabbing the soft underbelly of the skulltula.
Like the dinolfos, it dissolved into purple smoke. But Link didn't make the mistake of letting his guard down again. When the other skulltula launched itself at him, he simply raised his blade and slashed down in one motion, killing it before it had a chance to touch him.
Link stood up and sheathed his sword, pulling the thick webs from the various places they stuck to him. Then he remembered the little girl.
He turned to her, where she sat against a tree, quivering.
"Are you alright? It's okay.. I won't hurt you." He assured her.
YOU ARE READING
The Legend of Zelda: The Regal Flame
AvventuraThe Regal Flame was an everlasting mystical candlelight given to the the ruler of Hyrule. It seems some would go to great lengths to obtain it...
