in Ohio
August 14th, 2006
Persperation trickled down Link's forehead as he quickly dashed along a path in the Lost Woods, a large boulder
pursueing him relentlessly. The path was flanked by a thick wall of tress, making it impossible to dodge the boudler
by moving sideways. Fatigue was beginning to overtake him.
"Concentrate!" he scolded himself as he despereatly fled, while wondering how he had set off this devious trap and
who on earth could be behind it. The path began to widen, if he was lucky, he may be able to evade the boulder he
thought to himself. He decided that the path had become sufficently wide enough. Link, with his last burst of energy
dived to the side, hugging the thick of trees as the boulder dashed by, missing him by mere centimeters. Exhausted
from the run, but pleased by his escape, he sat down to assess the situation. What was he to do next?
***
He couldn't stay here, he knew. Whoever set the trap would no doubt be looking for his corpse. His legs were,
however, unwilling to get up. He knew he had run a long way. Exactly how far or how long, though, he had no idea.
He sat for a moment resting.
He took in his surroundings and found that this set of the woods looked exactly like the previous set of woods he
just came from. One could easily get lost here. He noted the direction of the sun and judged the general direction he
had come. He also noted the trail the boulder, and himself, were on. It was not something hand dug but appeared as
though the earth, at one point, gave way and caved in. From when he started running, it was a good 10 feet high.
Thankfully for him, it evened out as he wen't along and was nearly level with the ground at this point.
Something accured to him, though. He remembed the villagers speaking of the noice that came from the mountain
at one night. Over the next few days, the soon began realizing their wells were loosing water each day. Small ponds
around the town were beginning to dry up. Link noticed the same thing with the trees. They were brown and dark;
obviously not getting enough water.
Getting to his feet and feeling rested enough, he walked into the forest. He couldn't risk walking along the crevice.
For now, he'd have to make his way up the mountain through the difficulty of forest.
***
Link was exhausted but he had no time to rest. He knew for certain that the path was a dangerous place so he
ducked into the safety of the thick forest. He quickly pulled out his trusty compass and began his journey toward the
mountain. It was become darker and darker as more and more trees blocked out the sun. The forest had become
unusually thick, making it even more difficult for link to make it through. He began to crawl underneath the many
interwining branches and treetrunks, his forhead drenched with persperation. After making his way through some
particularly nasty hedges... he sprawled against a tree trunk and whipped out his flask, drinking generously from it.
It had become very dark, he could barely see the arrow of his compass. He got his bearings and proceeded ownards
toward the mountain... hoping that he would make it out of this maze of wood.
***
Link struggled to his feet. There was no time to waste. Although dark now, it would be impossible to make his way
through the thick trees when the sun sets. Hopefully he would be able to make it to the edge of the forest before
then.
Once again he started to make his way through, brushing loose branches out the way. A chill ran through his body,
almost like a dark forewarning. He dismissed it as superstitous nonsense. He had enough problems to deal with, his
mind playing tricks with him was not needed.
As that thought slid away though a piercing howl shot through the forest. Wihtout hesitation Link drew his sword;
his right hand still occupied by the compass he was holding. He searched around but saw nothing but trees, and no
idea which direction it had come from. He put away the compass and readied his shield.
***
Like any experience fighter, Link quickly assessed the situation. Whatever this enemy was...Link felt that it had the
upper hand.
"It can see me but I can't see it..." he thought to himself. With that thought he quickyl pulled out a deku nut and
through it to the ground. A sharp crackle resounded through the forest and he heard a soft groan.
He hastily dropped his sheild and lit one of his sticks. The stick lit his surroundings. He appeared to be in a small
clearing with a circumfrence of maybe 7 metres. On the edge of the clearing lay a small..but wild looking figure, it
was thrashing violently but making no sound. All of a sudden link noticed more of these wild figures emerging from
the shadows...
Initially Link had thought himself quite clever to turn the tables on his enemy..but now he was kicking himself as it
seemed that the sound had attracted many more. Link threw the stick in the middle of the area and prepared to use
Dins Fire, a huge fire...
***
One of the little creatures caught the stick, and at that moment Link mentally kicked himself. He almost burnt down
part of the forest, if not all of it, because of a little fear.
The creature holding the stick wasn't as small as the others, and appeared to be a Scrub, an enemy that if it gave up
it's hole/home, it would surrender. However, something was strange about its appearance, but Link couldn't quite
put his finger on it.
Others came into view, illuminated by the glow of the burning stick. More scrubs, Deku and Mad. All of them looked
strange for some reason. He began to wonder if his mind was playing tricks.
Using Din's Fire would be difficult. He didn't really want to set fire to the forest, even if it would protect him from the
creatures. On the other hand, while a couple of scrubs would be no problem, this many would be.
Link gathered his bearings, then readied himself. The Scrubs opened fire with their Deku Nuts, and Link took that as
his signal. He shot off at full speed, intent on leaving the creatures behind.
The trees whipped past as his feet pounded the ground furiously. He thought he could hear the scrubs giving chase,
their attacks smacking up against the trees and ground nearby.
Soon enough the last of the trees were left behind, and Link's feet hit rocky terrain. Taken aback by the sudden
terrain change Link stumbled and fell, hitting the ground hard. Exhausted he turned, sword raised, ready to face the
pursuers.
But there were none there. All he saw was the trees of the forest, and the sounds of night as it had finally settled.
Sighing Link stood up and looked around. He needed to find somewhere to rest for the night.
***
He looked up to find death mountain looming over him. He was on rocky and uneven terrain. He guessed that he
was far from death mountain trail. He spotted a small cave about 15 metres above him. He strapped all his gear to
his back and began to hike up the rocky terran, fatigue hitting him hard.
He finally arrived at the cave, huffing and puffing some exhaustion. He collapsed into the small dark cave and fell
into an uneasy slumber...
***
The sky was lit up by flashes of lighting; crashing thunder filling the night air. The surrounding environment was
noticable absent of colour, the darkness dulling everything around him.
Link had his sword and shield tightly, taking a few steps back. They were there, he knew that, barely out of view,
hidden by the darkness. Dark shapes advanced towards him, their bloodlust evident.
Link turned around and found there was nowhere else to go. He was backed up to the cliff edge, his feet kicking a
few rocks over the edge. It was some time before they hit something.
A sudden snarl caused him to spin round, just in time to witness a shape lunge at him. His eyes had no chance to
take in the details before it struck his chest. His was stunned by the blow and was knocked over the edge.
Out of shock he let go of his weapons. He watched them plummet down as he swiftly followed. His heart beat
against his chest hard as the ground below rushed up to meet him.
Link shot up, sweat streaming down his face, his heart still pounding. It took him a few minutes to fully understand
what had happened.
A nightmare. It had seemed so real, but he was safe in the cave. Nevertheless, he was very shaken. He lay down
again and tried his best to return to sleep.
***
Link had not realised just how physically straining the latest events had been. He was unsure of exactly how long he
slept but he awoke several times shivering and quickly fell back into his uneasy slumber.
He awoke. It was a cold morning and a thick mist blanketed his envoronment. Link could barely see 2 meters in front
of himself. It was painfull to get up as his muscles had been cramped up in this small damp cave.
He stumbled out of the cave and carefully began to make his way up the mountain his stomach growling for
nourshment.
He continued up the jagged mountain until he reached a plateu somewhat 10 metres above his previous position. He
looked to find a small campfire and a hot bore roasting over it..no one else was in sight. The sweet aroma of the
meat filled his nose and then it was his primal instincts that took over...
***
It was odd, though. He felt a heat emanating from the mountain. He had hiked up the east side of it a bit many years
before and he didn't remember this heat being here. No matter, he would think about that later. At the moment,
there was something else he wanted more.
The smell of cooked meat was only feet away from him. It was curious, though. Why would somebody start to cook
meat and simply leave it?
Perhaps it just wasn't done enough, Link thought. If that were the case, he didn't want to get sick. He knew better
then that. The chunk of meat was quite large; much more then a single person could eat. He figured nobody would
mind if he had some.
Link rotated the stick the boar was skewed on for it looked like it was a bit burnt on one side. Who ever was cooking
this spent great time on it, though. It had been skinned and cut quite well. He rotated a little more, then stopped
dead in his tracks.
Wow, Link thought, This is no boar.
***
It was only now that the smell was noticable. It was replusive, invading his system. He covered his mouth and nose,
but already it was too late. He gagged, becoming overcome by it.
Well, it certainly wasn't a boar, but it wasn't clear what it was. It bore the shape of no creature he knew of, it's
features (what was left) distorted. Was it like that in life? Was it one of the many monsters that had surfaced recently?
Who would want to eat one of them?
Unable to take anymore Link stumbled away from the cooking meat, collapsing to his knees. He fought back an urge
to throw up, then crawled a few feet away, trying to get away from the stench. Unsurprising, his appetite had
vanished.
Person: "Who are you?"
***
Person: "Who are you?"
Link quickly whirled around to find some strange figure hunched over around 10 metres away from him. It was
clothed in several loose strips of dirty rags and the creatures face was wrapped in dirty brownish bandages. It's
frame was a very wirey and of medium height. Link put his hand to the hilt of his blade and slowly began to reach for
his sheild.
"Who are you?" said Link in a somewhat Paladin like voice.
"Who dares disturb my beautiful feast.." muttered the figure in a raspy voice.
"What is this meal of yours?" Link asked, hoping to get a good answer.
"It's a delicious meat really.." cackled the strange figure, a very common animal and yet it is quite a delicasy.." said
the creature. It gave a short laugh.
"You see I can only take them down in groups of 1 or maybe 2... those furious guard dogs, that attacked me for
trying to steal some delicous meat. This isn't them though, it's the old expired, ones that taste so delicious.. maybe I
should go back and get some dogs.
"No! You shalln't desturb inncoent people and animals!" shouted Link, his anger getting the best of him.
"I think that you may call yourself a warrior already, and what have you fought, nothing!? We'll see about that!"
screeched the figure as it lunged toward him.
Link pulled out his shield and readied for battle. The figure was fast. Very fast. It was within reach in a couple of
seconds and had jumped at Link, aiming to knock him over. Link aimed his shield and slammed it into the figure
with great force sending it sprawling against the cliff wall.
Link stared at the peice of meat in horror. He just couldn't take that horrible smell.. The creature meanwhile had
seemed to regain it's compusure and now go even angrier. It rushed toward him once again screeching loudly.
Link could see it more clearly now. It was sort of goblinoid, it face covered with what looked like stained bandages
and it had a round mouth filled with rows of brownish sharp teeth. Two yellow eyes could be seen through holes in
it's mask of bandages. It swung it's fist hard but Link parried the blow and swung back. Harder.
Too Late.
The crature smoothly dodged the blow and came back fast. It brused Link's arm a little, but no real pain was felt yet.
Link leapt back, his arm starting to pain a little now.
The creature once again attacked aggressivley lunging at Link. This time Link was ready for it. He swung hard at the
creature and it once again dodge the blow easily but it's eyes went wide when it saw that Link had readied his sheild.
He slammed the sheild hard into the creature sending it over the cliff edge.
It fell with a loud screech. Seconds later he heard a soft *thud*.
His energy had drained him. Link bandaged his arm as best as he could and wondered what to do and what to make
of this meat...
***
Back in the village, children played in the streets and laughed as they ran. They were trying to catch one of the many
cuccus flying around. Every once in a while, one of the children would catch one only to get knocked to the ground
and a torn shirt. The other children laughed as a little boy hit the dirt as he jumped to catch one but missed.
Another lady, a mother of one of the children, was working under the shade of the tree making candles. She never
let her son out of earshot, though. Whenever he disappeared, she new instantly and was always there to find him.
The streets were busy on this morning. It seemed as though everybody had a place to go. So when the deep
booming sound echod through the village, everyone was there. It was as though a bolt of lightening had struck the
earth. It was loud, sharp, and gone as quickly as it had come. However, it was replaced by another sound.
It was barely heard at first, but it was most definitely getting louder. A crackling came sounding down the mountain
and the earth began to shake the louder it got. People grabbed things to keep their balance. Mothers rushed to their
children.
As though someone was breaking the earth apart, a giant crack in the ground came snaking it's way down the
mountain and right through the village. It slithered its way under a building, which quickly cracked and buckled
under the pressure. And just like that, it stopped. The crack was no more then a few feet across. Nothing that would
propose any trouble jumping over. However, once given a better view, it was deeper then any eye could see.
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