Chapter 11: Temple of Darkness

It was pitch-black inside the Temple of Darkness. The only source of light was generated from Navi's bright aura. Theorising that the temple's layout was different, Link made careful movements. His cold chill returned, and it made him shiver, but this time, it was different to the chill he had experienced in the graveyard. This one seemed malevolent. Dangerous.

Like the air itself wants to kill me...

Stopping all of a sudden, Link waited for his eyes to adjust, but after getting a feeling like something was about to attack, he jumped back... just in time to see a Wallmaster land. Sword met demonic flesh with lightning-fast agility, and it didn't take long for the beast to succumb to the onslaught it received, vanishing in a puff of smoke.

"Wow..." Navi muttered. "That was way too close, Link."

The Hylian sheathed his sword and nodded, continuing through the chamber, Navi providing the light he needed to see. Still shivering, he breathed a sigh as he finally found a door. Opening it, he gave a slight smile of relief as he noticed light on the other side, but as he stepped through and closed the door, the light began to dim, until it was pitch black.

What the hell is this?

Theorising something crazy, Link reached back and opened the door behind him. He let out a gasp at what he noticed.

The light is shining in there, but... the room is gone!

Another shiver was given, and he closed the door, giving a soft gulp as he thought of what this could mean. Suddenly...

"You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?"

A voice seemed to echo throughout the temple, making the Hylian instantly draw his sword and glance around in search of the source of the voice.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but there's no way you'll find me. Now, I suggest you listen to me. That is, unless you wish to face a nasty fate."

His teeth grinding together, he cast a glance over at Navi, the fairy staring back in worry. With a sigh, the boy nodded and sheathed his sword.

"Fine!" he called out. "Tell me what you need to tell me! I have no time for these games!"

The disembodied voice seemed to give a dark chuckle of amusement, enticing a low growl from Link.

"Games? Did someone say 'games'? Heheh... yes, that is essentially what this is. For interest's sake... a deadly game. Now, listen carefully..."

The blond remained silent, the disembodied voice giving another laugh.

"My, my... you are quite obedient; to a fault, I might add. But let's not worry about that now. As you go proceed through this temple, I will be guiding you. Sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. But, you must also decide each time if I am guiding you to salvation, or to your doom. You must ask yourself in each chamber if I am to be trusted that time around. In this game, you will be required to have faith in your instincts. Now, I suggest you hurry. This chamber will fade in... oh, wow... 4 seconds."

Link let out another growl and jumped forward, almost falling into a trapdoor. He managed to move around it in time, and reached the door, opening it and stepping through; just in time, as well. The chamber faded, just as he had closed the door behind him. The light that was illuminating this chamber began to dim, but instead of going out, it remained, providing a very low illumination.

"Heh... congratulations are in order. I am pleased that you managed to survive. Now, to make things entertaining. There are various enemies within this chamber. You will also note the openings in the floor. Should you fall, you shall be the newest member of this family of the dead. But, you must also take note of the locked door."

Across the chamber, at the far end, Link noticed that the door at the end was indeed locked.

What do you expect me to do?

The voice chuckled again, continuing its explanation.

"Yes, this is of particular interest. There are only two ways through this chamber. The first is to defeat every enemy, but you must do so in a short amount of time. The second is easier, but much more dangerous. If you summon the Tears of Angels, these creatures will be extinguished, but at a cost. This already dim light will also be extinguished, and you must make your way through this chamber without falling to your doom. What will it be?"

Glancing around, Link took note of the amount of enemies within the chamber.

I know that I won't be able to defeat them all in time. I have no choice.

Taking a breath, Link brought out the Ocarina of Time, playing the Song of Storms.


The next chamber dimmed until it became pitch-black, Navi's faint glow the only source of light. Soft moaning could be heard in the room, making Link shudder.

I was hoping to never have to deal with those again...

Link took baby steps, making sure to be silent, lest he be detected by the undead creatures. That was when the voice returned.

"I'd move a bit faster if I were you. But, be mindful of the undead. Be even more wary of the exits. One leads to salvation, the other leads to oblivion. Which one will you select? The left door looks quite good to me... Heheheh..."

Casting a glance to Navi, he nodded.

"Navi..." he said softly, shielding his eyes. "Do it..."

Taking a breath, Navi began to glow a bit brighter, until...

"Yousei Hikari!"

A blinding light shone throughout the chamber, the ReDead and Gibdo that made their home within letting out ear-piercing shrieks as they froze. A burst of light shot up into the ceiling of the chamber, Link finally able to unshield his eyes. He gave a soft gasp at what he saw.

Just as I thought! This light is just like the sun! The undead can't handle such light. I'd better hurry.

The room illuminated, Link noticed a treasure chest that lay slightly hidden to the side of the room. Lunging, he forced it open and grabbed out its contents; another scroll, but instead of reading it, he made a beeline for the left door.

"Link!" Navi called out. "Wait! Can we really trust him? He could be trying to trick us."

Placing his hand on the door, the boy shook his head.

"I don't think so, Navi..." he replied. "This is a game to him. He wants us to doubt ourselves. Our first instinct is to not place any trust in him, but if we were to die now, there would be no more entertainment. I'm going in..."

Navi let out a sigh and nodded. Suddenly, the light started to fade, forcing Link to open the door and step through, and just in time. The chamber also began to fade, and as the door closed, vanished completely.

I'm glad it worked out, because I was starting to think I was going insane.

Casting a glance around the room, the boy noticed it was well illuminated. The door at the end of the chamber was also unlocked. In the middle of the room, there was something that appeared to be a shrine. Slowly walking towards it, the blond kept his guard up. There was no prompt from the mysterious voice yet, and that made him nervous.

What am I getting myself into?

The boy took a few more steps forward, and suddenly gasped as a ghost appeared before him. Link could feel the sadness emanating from the spirit as it stared at him.

"What I am, you need not guess..." the ghost spoke softly. "An ancient spirit. No more, no less. Darkness - bringing much despair, sending its evil throughout the air. Alas, I can not do my part, due to the acts of a darkened heart. Move along, and as you go, please be wary of your foe."

The ghost placed a filmy hand over its chest as it faded away. Link lowered his gaze and gave a sigh.

"Well..." he murmured. "This would be the part where I'd receive a charm, but if what that spirit said is true..."

Navi flew in front of Link and nodded.

"I think we have the same theory..." she answered, glancing back over her shoulder to where the ghost previously was. "This darkened heart... maybe it has the charm? Hmmm, in either case, maybe you should take this time to check out the scroll you found in the last chamber?"

Nodding, Link opened the scroll and read the words aloud.

"If light is what you truly seek, find all my friends and then, to you, we'll speak."

Shaking his head at yet another cryptic clue, Link pocketed his newest acquisition, and headed for the door. Preparing to open it up, he tensed as the mysterious voice suddenly called out.

"Are you sure you wish to do that? I must warn you - if you proceed beyond this door, you may see things you're not ready for-- Gah! Those spirits... their incessant rhyming is somewhat hypnotic. Never mind that. I've decided to end this game. Through that door, you will find the answers, but it may be a bit too much for you."

The voice gave a dark chuckle, one that made Link clench his fists. It was a voice that sounded so familiar to him. The voice continued to speak, amused.

"Still, it will entertain me to see your reaction. Come on in. I dare you. Enter, and let us see how you fare..."

Another dark laugh later, and the voice faded into silence. Teeth clenched, Link stepped forward and opened the door. Within the next chamber, he glanced around, sword drawn. Suddenly, he noticed a silhouette before him. Looking at it, he let his eyes adjust, before gasping at what he saw.

"No..." he choked out. "It can't... it can't be! I-Impa?"

Sprawled on the floor was Impa's unmoving body. Blood trailed from her lips and down her chin, forming a small pool beside her head. Kneeling down beside the Sheikah, the blond reached forward, gently feeling the woman's neck for a pulse, but all he could feel was her cold, still flesh. Choking out a gasp, his gaze swivelled to the right as he heard footsteps emerging from the darkness.

"Who's there?" he growled. "Show yourself!"

A soft snicker was given, and as the figure approached, Link's eyes widened. He stumbled back a small distance, falling to the ground. Shaking his head in disbelief and terror, he felt icy cold as those familiar red eyes stared back at him.

"I'm glad you finally made it, my kicsi farkas..."



End of Chapter 11.