...the temple was lost to sight. Link craned his head, but he knew he wouldn't see any further.
Endeavor glanced back at him. "What did you see?"
Link looked away, still frustrated for letting Bahadur get to him. He lied, "Nothing."
The thunderstorm and dragon fight had left the crevice filled desert with a new landscape. The crevices still were there, but some had been bridged by matted clay that had been torn up by the dragon and hardened when the sunlight returned. It wasn't the first choice for construction, but the bridges would do for now.
With the return trip far easily, and the sinking sun making it far cooler to travel, the party made steady progress back from the inner Lanayru Desert to the rolling Gerudo Desert sands. Before long, the oasis they had rested it at days before rose before them.
Stopping to let their horses drink, the party sat around the water's edge. Parijan refilled her water skins as they continued with the idle conversations they had been carrying on during their ride. Daniel finally leaned back and asked, "So, where are we headed exactly?"
"Wish I knew," Parijan stated. "But things get significantly more difficult when I can't see anything."
"Then...we have no leads?" Daniel inquired.
"Not that I know of," Parijan answered. "My knowledge of the desert is limited. Beyond the Common Camp and Stonewall, I've got nothing."
Endeavor said, "Perhaps I can help then. There have been a number of sightings of Gerudo on the northern border of the desert, on the foothills to the Frostbite Mountains. It is believed that there may be some other camp in that direction."
"That's a start, thanks," Parijan replied. She held her hand out to Endeavor for a moment. Endeavor took it. Parijan stated, "Goddesses guide you."
"Din aid your pursuit," Endeavor answered. They nodded, before Parijan and Daniel remounted and headed north, headed back for the Common Camp. They waved over their shoulders, before disappearing into a sandstorm.
"Did you-" Link started, but Endeavor already seemed to see the comment coming.
"Did I ask for Din to bless them, yes. It seemed fitting. Besides, Din's Sages are safe now," Endeavor explained. "She will aid us, whether She agrees with my Goddess of not. Besides, Link, Din is still one of the Golden Goddesses. She created this world in part, and deserves worship for that. My faith does not believe in disowning Her from that position, merely that She must accept She was wrong."
Link's head sunk a bit at her response. He didn't think he would ever understand what the Drex thought of Din, or the other Golden Goddesses for that matter. It was a complex faith, that was for certain. Then again, if the Hylians had been banished from Hyrule for generations, would he believe differently?
"We should carry on," Endeavor said as she stood and moved towards Quicksilver. "The Lost Woods is going to be difficult to navigate. We should start as soon as we can."
Epona whinnied as Link climbed back into the saddle. The two set off at a canter, and then a gallop. They paused for a brief rest in Sandsought as dawn crept up on them before riding the last stretch back to Hyrule Field. Even after the empty expanse that was the Gerudo Desert, Hyrule Fields still felt incredibly quiet. As they neared the outreached of Eveningale though, a thought occurred to Link.
"Endeavor, when we've purified a region before, the enemies have stopped appearing there, right?" Link asked.
Endeavor looked at him, pondering the thought for a moment. "Yes, it would seem that the greater majority of enemies have disappeared after this fact, chiefly those of Ganondorf's recent creation. Why?"
"Just that enemies keep appearing in Hyrule Field, even though Ganondorf seems to be blocked off from it almost entirely now," Link replied.
"What is your implication?" Endeavor pressed.
Link shrugged. "Just that it's odd, unless there was a temple there, but I would think that the Hero's Shrine would stop corruption from happening since there's not a temple there."
"It is possible, but that is implying that the temple was on the surface," Endeavor answered. With that, she asked Quicksilver on, obviously avoiding answering any more questions on the subject. "You should focus on the task at hand," she called over her shoulder.
Link kicked Epona on. It was nice to be back home. Autumn was creeping in steadily. The fields were full of crops ready for harvest. The blue furred goats loped beside cows in browning pastures. Beyond the edge of Eveningale though, green still clung to the trees. The Deku Forest and Lost Woods were eternally green, and it was easy to see where one stopped and the other began.
They neared Link's home. He started to slow Epona, before he realized Endeavor wasn't stopped. Kicking Epona back up to a canter. "Where are we going?"
"The Valley of the Forest," Endeavor replied. "I would like to speak to the Deku Trees about the nature of the Lost Woods before I enter it."
"What do you mean?" Link asked.
"There are many races in these woods," Endeavor answered. "The Deku Scrubs, the Korok, and Kikwi all choose to live under the protection of the Deku Trees. Though some have chosen to live in the shelter of the Forest Sage's temple instead. However, the nature of the Lost Woods is unpredictable, particularly when there is so much dark magic emitting from the Demon Lord. Crossing it will not be simple."
There was a moan to their right. Link glanced over at the dark, gnarled trees beyond the path, marking the Lost Woods' boundary. The forest creaked under some unseen force. The wind crept closer to the road, and Link tore his eyes away from the forest before it could smack him across the face. And yet, the blow never came. Link unclenched his face and saw Endeavor was watching him. She looked at the ancient forest for a moment, before turning back to the path ahead in silence.
Before long, the path curved away from the dark outline of the Lost Woods, and Link found himself deep in the Deku Woods once more. When he was very young, before he was old enough to work seriously on any of the farms, he would come running into these woods in autumn and winter. The green woods were always warm, no matter the time of year. Eternal youth blossomed from the red boughs of the trees, and nothing dark ever crept into it.
Despite his childhood wanderings, he had for some reason never stumbled upon the fairy fountain he had encountered on his race to rescue Derek, nor had he ever encountered the Kikwi or the Koroks before. He paused, wondering why that was.
"Most people do not see them."
Link snapped out of his daydream and looked at Endeavor. She looked back at him as they kept riding, before turning back ahead as the tops of the Deku Trees came into view. The path started to descend into the valley. "Most people do not encounter the Forest People. Save for a few gifted in communication, who all run the shops, the Forest People prefer to be seen as foliage and left that way. They hide when you enter this valley, and come back out when you go."
"So, why didn't they hide when I came through here to the Deku Fortress?" Link asked.
"You bore a Triforce by then. These peoples live under the blessing of the Deku Trees, trees of such power and age that they say Farore planted the first one Herself," Endeavor explained. "It would be surprising if they could not sense such powerful magic enter their home."
As they approached the basin of the valley, Link watched. He could see Kikwi and Korok running around the Deku Trees as he had before. Below waddled Deku Scrubs, discussing trade between each other.
There was a loud groan. It took Link a moment before he realized it was the Deku Tree in front of him yawning.
"Kikwi, I do believe someone is here."
"Oh, is there?"
Endeavor and Link rode in front of the two trees. Kikwi and Korok looked the same as they had before. The autumn outside their woods had not and would never touch them.
"Oh, it's the young Hero!" Korok exclaimed before another yawn overtook him.
"Wake up, why don't you?" Kikwi asked. "We have company."
"Greetings, noble ones," Endeavor greeted.
Kikwi smiled. "It's been too long, Endeavor. Why have you not walked these woods sooner?"
"What are you talking about? Endeavor was here just a few years ago," Korok replied.
"Oh, that's right. About 16...no, 18 years ago. She wanted to talk to the Great Fairy in the woods," Kikwi explained. "What was that for again? Something about clothing."
Link glanced at Endeavor. "I'm 18," he said, sort of obviously.
"Hero, I knew you would be in a hurry when the time came," Endeavor explained. "I made sure you'd be prepared quickly when that time came."
"So it wasn't really the Great Fairy who gave me these?" Link inquired.
Endeavor answered, "The Fairies of this world have many powers, but producing that clothing is not one of them. Perhaps a Light Spirit, but not a Great Fairy. Save only for their Mother, but that child figure has been lost at sea for years."
"Do you have any idea what they're talking about, Korok?"
"Not in the slightest, but I'm not familiar with most human affairs after this long."
"We came to ask you about the Lost Woods, and your siblings," Endeavor stated, turning back to the Deku Trees.
"Siblings?" Link asked.
"The Lost Woods?" the Trees responded at once.
"What do you need to go there for?" Korok demanded.
"There are more Deku Trees?" Link repeated.
Endeavor answered, "We need to enter the Temple of the Forest Sage, which means crossing the Lost Woods. I would like to survive the journey, and as such, I would like to know about the guardians of those woods."
Korok shook his branches, dislocating a few kikwis and koroks from them. "We don't speak to them."
"Korok, this is the Hero though. Maybe we should-" Kikwi started, though Link saw the hesitation in the comment.
"That is true. This is the Hero, and he must enter that temple to save this land," Endeavor insisted. "Unless you would like evil to enter this woods as well.
Both trees recoiled, and glanced at each other. There was some awful secret between them, one they seemed to dread to share. Kikwi lead, since Korok seemed to refuse to do so, "We haven't have any word from the Lost Woods lately. Only the Deku Scrubs go back and forth, and then, only for business. A few live here for trade, but we haven't seen a skull kid in years."
Korok reluctantly added, "We fear that Scrub and Skull have been consumed by the madness of those woods, that they truly have become lost. Scrub will be there still, but barely. He was always a stout one. But he will not be sane. Even then, this is only a guess based on these dark times."
"Maybe we can rescue them then," Link offered.
The Deku Trees exchanged another look. Kikwi replied, "It would be possible, particularly for you, but I doubt the skull kids will trust you anytime soon, and you'll need their permission to enter the temple."
"Perhaps if we entered the Lost Woods with the company of a Deku Scrub and the blessings of the Deku Trees here, we would be able to pass through their maze to their city and speak to them about it," Endeavor offered.
"Send a kikwi and korok in there!? Are you mad?" Korok bellowed. "Skull and Scrub would swallow them whole!"
Kikwi cooed, "You'll scare all of them out of it if you keep hollering like that."
"Tell me you're not encouraging this plan?"
"Well, what other options do we have? If we bless them, then surely they'll be left alone until they get there. And if the Hero can cleanse the temple, then the forest will heal. Besides, it's a blessing from us. Surely Father Deku will approve of it and ensure they arrive safely."
Link asked Endeavor as the two bickered about the arrangement, "How many Deku Trees are there?"
"There are five," Endeavor answered. "Kikwi and Korok guard the Valley of the Forest. Scrub and Skull guard the Temple of the Forest Sage. Father Deku protects the Shrine of Farore, where you awoke Her phoenix."
"That was a Deku Tree? He's alive?" Link pressed.
"Alive is relative," Endeavor answered. "Father Deku has been alive since the split in time, planted in the remains of his predecessor. But he has aged for so long that he has grown too old and large to speak without destroying the forest. So, he planted the four Deku Trees that do not reside within his domain, while he protects the most holy of places in this forest."
"Fine, we'll send them," Korok barked, pulling Link and Endeavor's attention back to the arguing trees.
Kikwi huffed in return, before saying, "Kephe will go with you on my behalf." From Kikwi's branches, a little brown ball tumbled out. The creature popped out, a black patch of fur covering its eyes. A pair of green horns stuck up from the kikwi's head like, well, horns. Or ears. It was hard to tell.
"And you'll be taking Mismawn on mine," Korok answered. An oval shaped figure floated down on a little leaf propeller. Hanging from the miniature antler-like branches was a dark green leaf from a Deku Tree, most likely Korok.
"And is there a Deku Scrub who will be coming with us?" Endeavor asked.
"I suppose I can go."
A very short Deku Scrub waddled over. Unlike most of the Deku Scrubs, who had large fans of leaves to cover their heads, this one lacks all but a small tufts on the middle of his head.
"I'm Wudhi," the Deku Scrub introduced himself. "I got half my head burnt off, so I'm no good for business. But I know both of these little folk, and they don't mind me back home. So I suppose I can take you."
Mismawn and Kiphe walked over. Kiphe seemed too nervous to talk at all. Mismawn was giving Wudhi a serious updown, like he was sizing the Deku Scrub up. Not that Link though the Korok could do much damage. Still, the sight of a small talking branch sizing up another talking shrub was something humorous and adorable to witness.
Wudhi didn't seem to notice Mismawn's grimacing looks. He just kept talking to Endeavor and Link. "I know a Skull Kid who would be a little more willing to help us. Her name is Saruo. She used to come to visit with me on occasions, before the Lost Woods got worse."
"Thank you, Wudhi, for the help," Endeavor replied. She looked at the Deku Trees. "And thank you for your blessing. We promise the safety of your people."
The Deku Trees nodded, but Link got the feeling that they still weren't happy with the situation. Wudhi went on, "You may want to leave your horses here. The woods may be a little taxing on them, and the Skull Kids aren't exactly fans of horses. They've been known to capture the poor beasts and lock them away in out of the way places. Sometimes no one stumbles on them for days."
Epona snorted and stamped a hoof. Link quickly dismounted, not wanting to lose his companion. Endeavor did the same. As Link stood in front of the three, he realized they would barely be the height of a regular human if they stood on top of each other. Still, they were larger than he thought, particularly Wudhi.
It was fairly clear that the two Deku Trees were unnerved by the conversation. Link never thought he'd wear out his welcome so close to home. Well, perhaps that was untrue, but certainly not from the pacifistic Forest Folk.
Once they were well away from the Valley, Wudhi piped up again, "It hasn't been very welcoming in these woods, in all honesty. The only reason I've been allowed back and forth is because of I have a history as a trader."
"And for good reason!" Mismawn shouted. Kephe ducked behind the korok, letting him do the talking. Mismawn went on, "After the Zora Revolt, no one knows which race is going to turn next. The Deku have been evil before."
"That is an unfair stereotype, and I will not be held back because of generations old myths," Wudhi retorted.
The two went at it, with Kephe still hiding behind them. Link turned to Endeavor. "The Zora Revolt?"
"I suppose you would not have obtained a serious education in your upbringing, but I thought they might at least teach that brief war at the Academy," Endeavor stated. "But, since they have not. The Zora Revolt occurred right before you were born. It happened when the River Zora, those who live in Zora's Domain and what was the Sunken City, and the Sea Zora, those who live in Port City and Hylia Bay, divided on their allegiance to the Hylian King. The River Zora, excluding the King and Queen of the Zora, demanded that the waterways were given over to the Zora Kingdom. The Sea Zora, with the support of their rulers, fought with the Hylians.
"It was not the first or last bought of these small wars. This was the period that Ganondorf and the Dragmire Tribe returned to power. Monsters started reappearing, the kingdoms were split and their armies scattered. The war between the Zora was just the most noteable. The gorons were still in a revolt when we encountered them after all, and the Forest Peoples are still split," Endeavor finished.
"Mr. Hero?"
Link looked down as Kephe tugged on the edge of his tunic. The little Kikwi asked, "Are you really going to try to help Master Skull and Master Scrub?"
"I'm gonna try," Link answered.
"I-I-I'll help, if I can," Kephe stuttered, look terribly shaken. "That's what Kikwi would want, right? And Father Deku."
The kikwi grabbed Link's hand, and refused to let it go as they kept walking. Link had to hunch to make sure Kephe wasn't having to jump on every step. It could have been an inconvenience, but he saw that with each step the courage of the kikwi grew. So he just kept walking as Wudhi and Mismawn went on arguing about politics of forest spirits that he would never understand.
Soon, the Lost Woods drew near. As they drew towards its edge, even the bickering of Wudhi and Mismawn ended. Mismawn began to fall back, and Kephe clung to Link's side. Neither of the two were confident about entering the infamous woods. Even Wudhi seemed a tad hesitant.
The Deku turned towards them. "Father Deku may be blessing this passage to the city beyond, but...that doesn't mean anything will be friendly. These woods have consumed many Deku and Skull Kids alike, driving them to the brink of madness. It is true, Skull has not been themselves in a long while, even to the point of nearly losing the ability of speech. Scrub is quickly following the same path. They will see us as intruders here, and we will most likely be attacked until we can reach the other side."
Journey growled at the dark trees as her master brandished her blade. Kephe shivered as Link drew out the Master Sword. Bolstering himself, Mismawn bounced over to Kephe. "You stay behind me, Kephe, I'll take care of you." The Korok was shivering though, unless Link just couldn't feel the wind violently shaking Mismawn's leaves.
Link look at the woods. There was something disturbed and sick about this place, but he was determined. Bracing himself for the challenge ahead, Link stepped forward...