Chapter 13: Desert of Illusion

Golden sparkles joined together to form the Hylian and his fairy companion, the former appearing in mid-air and dropping to the ground with a thud. The sandstorm in the area was fierce, the boy needing to shield his eyes.

"Navi!" he called over the howling winds. "What the hell happened? Why aren't we near the temple?"

The fairy, holding on to Link for dear life, lest she be blown away, shook her head.

"I don't know!" she responded, raising her voice to a level that the boy could hear. "Maybe the sandstorm is interfering with the warp? If that's the case, things may be much more dire than I expected!"

Link's eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that.

Oh well... there's not much I can do. I need to get to the temple.

Glancing around, the Hylian gasped.

"Crap!" he hissed. "I can't see very far... I don't know where we are, or the direction of the temple!"

Teeth clenched tightly, the blond balled his hands into fists, glancing around some more in an attempt to ascertain his location.

Maybe if I try... the Eye of Truth?

Bringing out his magical item, Link gazed through it, but nothing appeared.

"Damn it!" he spat out. "I thought for sure that ghost may have been around!"

Realising that luck wasn't on his side, Link put the Eye of Truth away, before focusing on a random direction.

"That way!" he called out, pointing. "We'll go that way! C'mon, Navi!"

The Hylian began walking in the direction he'd indicated, continuing to shield his eyes from the sand being whipped at his face. Navi followed in silence, but the two friends could not help but have a bad feeling about what they were doing. Link cast a glance over at his fairy companion.

This probably isn't such a good idea...

The duo continued on for about 20 minutes, but they still didn't seem to have made any progress.

If anything, the sand seems to have intensified.

A feeling of utter dread came over the boy as he attempted to figure out where he was.

I'm totally lost... and if what is said about becoming lost in the desert is true...

Gulping, the boy glanced over at Navi, the fairy staring back, a look of concern on her face.

"We're lost..." she murmured worriedly. "...aren't we?"

Opening his mouth to answer, Link suddenly was caught by surprise as the sandstorm intensified, completely blocking his field of vision.

Damn it! It feels like the sand is... suffocating... me...

Feeling lightheaded, the boy dropped to his knees, before collapsing to the scorching sand beneath him. As he faded into unconsciousness, a single thought went through his mind.

I am such a fool... this is the end...


Moisture. The boy could feel moisture against his forehead. Eyes slowly opening, he found himself in a dimly lit room.

How... did I get here?

Weakly casting a glance around, Link jolted as a voice spoke out.

"You're awake..." the soft, mysterious voice said. "It's a good thing I found you when I did."

Footsteps approached, and a familiar Sheikah form emerged from the darkness. Golden hair was brushed to the side in a gesture of discomfort.

"I was worried..." Sheik continued, not meeting Link's gaze. "When I felt the power of water fluctuate, and then join yours, I expected your arrival back at the Temple of Time. You didn't return."

Lowering his gaze, Link began to feel guilty, remembering what Sheik had requested of him, back when this quest had begun. A tiny aura joined the Sheikah, Navi's voice suddenly being heard.

"It wasn't his fault..." she mumbled. "Link has been... through so much. He's lost so many loved ones already. He..."

"It's okay..." Sheik interrupted. "It was not my intent to incite guilt upon you both. I perfectly understand your turmoil. I only meant to relay my sincere relief that you are safe."

As Link glanced back up at Sheik, he noticed a faint red glow on the other male's cheeks. As the other glanced up though, the colour had faded, and a stoic look was on his face.

"Link..." he continued. "As you no doubt have already discovered for yourself, the path to the Temple of Spirit is unchartable, due to the intense sandstorms."

Sapphire met ruby, as the Hylian nodded. The two gazed intently at one another, before Sheik cleared his throat.

"Well..." he explained. "I must inform you of an alternate way to enter the temple. An alternate route that happens to begin from this very place."

Glancing around the room, Link carefully took note of the inscriptions on the wall. They seemed to resemble the script on the walls of the Temple of Spirit.

"About this place..." the hero murmured. "Where is it, exactly? I never saw it during... that time."

Their eyes meeting again, Link watched as the Sheikah gave a slight smile.

"Of course not..." was the reply. "With good reason, too. You see, this particular shrine is usually hidden, but in times of great peril, it makes itself visible to those who have a pure desire to make it to the temple, when there is no way of accessing it normally."

Navi flew down to Link and checked him over, watching cautiously as the boy began to stand.

"So, what you're saying..." the fairy responded. "...is that the ancient ones who created the temple also created a secret passage... a back-door if you will... to aid the chosen to the temple?"

Sheik nodded, keeping his gaze on Link.

"Precisely..." the Sheikah replied. "Simply enter the chamber, and follow it. You will be led to the entrance of the Temple of Spirit. But be wary: the chamber is pitch-dark, and trap-laden. You must exercise extreme caution, and find a way to make it through."

Suddenly stepping forward, Sheik took a gentle hold of Link's shoulders and gave an enigmatic smile.

"I believe you can do it..." he continued. "I have faith in you, Link. I must go now, but take care. When you manage to obtain the power of spirit, I hope you will return to see me. I will be waiting for you where we met. Until then, Link."

Releasing Link's shoulder's, the Sheikah took a few steps back, before raising his hand. Knowing what was to come, Link shielded his eyes, just in time as the other boy thew down a Deku Fruit. In an instant, he had vanished, leaving Link and Navi alone in the chamber.

"Well..." the fairy said after several moments of silence. "Where do you suppose we find the entrance to this chamber?"

With a thorough glance, Link suddenly noticed a section of wall with ancient markings of unknown design. Approaching, he placed a hand on it, stepping back with a gasp as the wall began to move, creating a doorway into a dark chamber.

"Well..." the boy muttered. "I guess this is it."

Stepping inside, with Navi following beside him, the blond let out another gasp as the wall moved back over the makeshift doorway, plunging the chamber into absolute darkness.

"Yousei Hikari!"

Navi had called out before Link could even utter another sound. A small orb of light appeared, shining bright enough for the hero to see. Several switches were laid out across the floor, all of them undoubtedly activating one of the deadly traps. Link avoided the switches, but suddenly came to a stop.

"Navi..." he said, his voice laced with an urgent tone. "Get into my hat."

The fairy blinked, but Link continued, not giving her a chance to ask.

"I can tell that there are even more traps ahead, but there's no obvious trigger. I think the floor itself may be the trigger. I'm going to run, as fast as my legs will let me. I won't allow you to get hurt, so please... get into my hat."

Staring at the boy for a moment, Navi suddenly nodded and flew underneath the boy's cap, taking gentle hold of his hair.

"Okay..." her muffled voice called out. "I'm ready."

Taking a deep breath, the blond suddenly took of into a full sprint, racing for the exit.



End of Chapter 13.