Legend of Zelda: Divine Vessel

- IX: The Emerald of Farore - Part I -

The massive tree loomed over the trio, intimidating them to the very core.  Even more daring was the evil aura lurking from the cracks of the deep brown bark.

Link and Nova exchanged a determined look as Midna crept into the boy's shadow.  Thus, they gripped the hilts of their blades and entered the eerie tree.

Immediately, ear-piercing screeches echoed throughout the hall before them, with thick roots intertwined within the walls.  Pairs of gleaming red eyes shown through the darkness, and only when the bat-like creatures were near their faces were they able to fully be seen.  Luckily, these creatures dissolved into piles of defeated dust after one strike from either of the adventurer's swords.

Many of these bats were throughout the rooted hallway, but finally, torches began to emerge from the cracks in the walls, lighting the path before them.  Nova ran her fingers over tall blades of grass, collecting the nutrients found at the tips as well as any rupees.

As the pathway continued, the walls covered in roots transformed into to a crisp tunnel with engravings through the stone.  It was clearly aged as the corners began to crumble.  Suddenly, Link and Nova's heads spun in the direction above them as a dangerous creaking echoed throughout the depths of the tree.

Nova cocked her head, confused as she tried to figure out what was going on, but Link's realization occurred, thankfully, much more quickly.  "Move!" He yelled, roughly pushing the brunette deeper into the tunnel.  She tripped over a crack in the pavement, stumbling forward and causing the blonde to fall as well.

Behind them, the ceiling of the cavern collapsed, causing large rocks to block the only escape they knew of.  Of course, nothing could go smoothly for the Vessel and the Hero.

Thus, the two rose to their feet and dusted off their clothes.  "Well, guess we won't be leaving any time soon." Nova sighed, but it was too soon to be relieved.

Because Link and Nova had now arrived in a large circular room, appearing empty.  But it felt as though there was an eerie presence still resonating.  A scratching noise drew their attention to the ceiling above them, and faced many ruby-colored orbs dotting the area above the room.

The orbs began shuffling about, and in one cohesive mass, crawled from the ceiling, down the wall, and stood up-right in front of them.  It stretched a few of its boney legs, then flicked one of the claws around the room, lighting torches embedded into the walls.  This made the disgusting creature completely visible as it balanced on its eight pointy legs.  The orbs on its back glowed red and kept shifting throughout its deformed black skin.  It turned, baring its yellow fangs, dripping with saliva.

It was a giant, dangerous-looking spider.  Each time one of its legs clicked on the stone floor, Nova shivered in disgust.  A drop of saliva dripped from a chipped fang, but didn't fall on the ground.  It melted through the ground.  Link and Nova unsheathed their blades and crouched, knowing that with one drop of the spider's saliva, the acid would melt their skin.

Their tactic consisted of distracting the venomous creature, then having the other fighter use that opportunity to strike it as much as possible.  After each strike, the roles reversed until all eight legs were cut from its body.  It thrashed its beady head as Link and Nova tried to avoid the liquid spewing from its fangs.

However, the anxiety of battle got the best of Link as he circled the beast, attacking it with his sword.  It wasn't until it was too late that he realized just how close he had gotten to the spider's head.  A thick, gooey droplet landed on his hand, and even through the leather glove, caused excruciating pain to emanate through his hand.  He gritted his teeth and grasped his wrist using his healthy hand, stepping back and allowing Nova to take the final attack.

While the spider was distracted, Nova leapt over its mangled body and thrust her Divine Blade into its skull.  It screeched, then dissolved into dust, eventually blown through the cavern.

Disregarding the rupees dropped by the large spider, Nova ran to Link's side as he clutched his hand where his skin was steaming as a strange rash was growing on it.  She scanned the room for the tall grass she used previously to restore her health and found it in a far corner.  Eagerly, she leapt from Link's side and cut stalks from where it was embedded into the ground.

"How badly does it hurt?" Nova asked as she tore the blades apart, allowing the nutrients to flow from them.

"It's not too bad..." He mentioned sarcastically, squinting through a single blue eye as beads of sweat fell from his forehead.  He was clearly in severe pain.

"Well, good. 'Cause this is gonna hurt like Hell." The girl responded, equally as sarcastic as she wrung a few sliced blades above the wound.  The nutritious fluids caused the wound to steam even more and Link grimaced in overwhelming pain, even though only one part of his body was severely injured.

With the remaining blades, she rubbed the edges on Link's hand, covering the entire skin with a sort of ointment.  Within moments, the rash dissolved and his hand returned to its normal complexion.  The blonde blinked, and then looked at Nova with surprise.

"How did you know this?" He asked, examining his hand where the leather glove had melted off.

"You learn a few tricks after spending three years in a temple overrun with monsters." She answered nonchalantly.  Feeling much better, Link stood up and stretched his wrist.

"We should go then. We still have an Emerald to find." The boy nodded briskly.

Nova also stood and smiled, agreeing with Link's determination, and they progressed further into the depths of the massive, aging tree.

*****

Among the new monsters the adventurers faced, a spider, similar to a smaller version of the one that poisoned Link.  However, these were much simpler to defeat than the large ones.  Many of them lined the halls, leaving webs wherever they were found.  This made a few of the halls difficult to walk through, even though they floors were relatively smooth.

Luckily, none of the other enemies within the tree used a source of saliva-like acid, so the wounds that Link and Nova received were minor.

And thus, they finally reached an eerie-looking door, clearly leading to the center of the diminishing tree.  With an understanding nod, they two pushed the door to the side, revealing a dark tunnel with a disturbing evil aura.  Nonetheless, they entered.

And inside, Nova sneered in complete disgust as the dim torch light illuminated the one being she despised most, and surely, she had not missed him.

"Ah, my precious Nova! It's lovely to see you again.  And you're beautiful face! Oh, it's so nice to see you're not covering it." Ghirahim said in a sickeningly sweet voice.  Before Nova could respond with spiteful words, Link spoke up.

"She's not anyone's precious anything.  She surely is beautiful, and she doesn't need anyone to tell her that." He spat with hatred nearly equivalent to the brunette's own.  But it was his words that really surprised her.

"Link..." She mumbled, unsure whether or not she should agree or continue to think about his kindness.

"Oh, we have a sassy won." The white-haired man laughed despicably.  "Did you find a friend?"

"I'm her Hero." Link spat, interrupting Nova before she could speak again.

"We'll just see about this." Ghirahim waved as Link charged, ready to end the demon's life at that moment.

But as he waved, he disappeared, leaving behind scattered gold and black diamonds.  Fury was obvious in Link's usually kind, blue eyes.  While dwelling in rage, he and Nova were torn from their thoughts when a growl erupted through the tree.

Unfortunately, they knew what was coming, and definitely were not in the correct state-of-mind in order to deal with it.