Chapter 16: Time's River ~500 Years Ago~

The Temple of Time was eerily quiet as Link and Navi returned. The blond began looking around for Zelda's remnant.

"Sheik?" he called out. "Are you here?"

Absolute silence was his reply, and the teen shivered. Glancing up at his fairy companion, he shook his head.

"He doesn't seem to be here..." he murmured. "But he told me to come visit him."

Navi folded her tiny arms in front of her as she thought.

"Maybe he was held up?" she offered. "Or maybe, had something important to do?"

With a hesitant nod, Link frowned, and began searching around the temple. However, he still could not find any sign that Sheik was around.

"It's as if..." the Hylian began. "...as if he were never here."

Approaching the altar, the blond leaned forward, resting his hands on the stone. With a sigh, he closed his eyes to think.

"Damn it all..." he hissed. "What's going on? What am I supposed to-..."

Link was cut off by a gasp from Navi, his eyes snapping open as he felt a strange power surging from within. Before he could act, the empowered charms he carried began to float around him, circling him. They all began to glow with a magical light, and as the last one lit up, they moved atop the altar.

"Wh-what the...?" the boy choked out. "What is this sorcery?"

Offering no explanation, the charms began to ebb, shooting their light towards the altar. Suddenly, a low rumble was given, and the altar slowly began to rise upward, revealing a hidden stairwell that led down, deeper into the temple.

"Wow..." Navi breathed, once the altar had stopped moving, the charms ceasing their glow and returning to the boy's pockets. "That was a thousand kinds of weird. Do you think we should... see what's down there?"

The green-clad boy offered a nod as his response, drawing his sword just in case.

"It may be a trap..." he said. "...or Sheik could be down there, or maybe... maybe it hides some awesome treasure."

Taking a deep breath, Link began to traverse down the stairwell, glancing around warily. As he approached the bottom, he moved forward, only to blink in confusion.

"Well..." he muttered. "That seemed kinda... pointless?"

The chamber Link found himself in seemed to lead nowhere. His eyes narrowed, and he sheathed his weapon.

"Damn it!" he spat out, angrily. "What the hell is going on?"

Navi gave a sigh, realising the boy's frustration, her aura glowing a little brighter in an attempt to make him feel better. She blinked as her companion suddenly moved towards the back wall, noticing something strange about it.

"Call this a hunch..." he said, voice almost a whisper. "...but..."

Bringing the Ocarina of Time into his hands, he raised the instrument to his lips, before closing his eyes and playing a familiar melody.

The Royal Family's Crest... it appears before me. So... this song...

As he finished playing, Link opened his eyes, just in time to see a light shine before him, a doorway appearing in its place. As Link put his ocarina away, he glanced over at Navi, before approaching the newly appeared entrance. Reaching out, he gripped the handle and opened the door.


As the door opened, Link found himself stepping back in surprise at what he saw.

"How is that possible?!" he exclaimed. "The inside looks... new!"

Confused, the boy gaped, seemingly unable to form any more words. A strange rippling effect appeared in the doorway, causing Link to jump back and narrow his eyes in suspicion.

"What was that?" he growled out. "An illusion? But it looks so... real..."

Navi flew next to Link and stared through the doorway.

"There's no mistaking that energy..." she replied. "That can only be a portal, but not just any old portal. It leads to another time. Since it looks rather well preserved, I can only assume it leads to a long time in the past."

The green-clad male stared at his fairy companion in disbelief.

"Y-you mean..." he stammered. "...back in time? How far back?"

The fairy shook her head solemnly.

"I don't know..." she confessed. "All I know is that if you go through this doorway, you will have to go back alone."

Sapphire eyes widened in shock.

"W-what do you mean?" the boy demanded. "Why won't you come with me?"

Navi gave a sad smile, avoiding eye contact with the Hylian.

"It's a law of the gods..." she said softly. "Fairies are forbidden to travel to a point of time that predates their existence. If I were to follow you, I would meet oblivion."

His gaze softening, Link lowered his glance, staring at the floor.

"I see..." he mumbled, giving a soft sigh of defeat. "I've grown so used to your company. It will be strange to go somewhere without you."

The fairy flew closer to Link, causing the boy to meet her gaze. Placing her tiny hand on his cheek, she smiled wider, more sincere.

"Hey, hey..." she replied. "You will be just fine without me. I believe in you, Link."

Offering his own smile in return, the blond nodded, turning back to face the doorway.

"Okay..." he murmured. "So, do I just... step through?"

Navi made a small sound of affirmation, nodding her head once.

"Yes..." was the immediate response. "Just step on through as you would any other door."

The green-clad boy continued to stare at the door, before casting a glance at his fairy friend.

"Well..." he breathed. "I guess I'll see you soon."

Link took a few steps towards the door, and just as he was about to step through, he stopped, glancing down at the floor.

"Hey..." he mumbled. "Navi?"

Hearing Link's troubled sounding voice, the fairy flew towards him, hovering next to his face.

"Link?" she asked. "What is it?"

The boy glanced towards the fairy, his expression unreadable. For several moments, it remained that way, until a small smile could suddenly be seen.

"Be careful..." he answered. "...okay?"

Blinking in response, Navi suddenly gave her own smile, her cheeks glowing a pale red. Glancing downward, she nodded shyly.

"Y-yeah..." she softly murmured. "You too, Link."

Taking a deep breath, Link stepped through the doorway, riding the rapids of Time's River back to the past, leaving Navi alone in the present. The doors closed behind him as he arrived, a soft voice whispering in his mind.

I never thought I'd be back here again. Well, kicsi farkas, I hope you're prepared for what lies ahead.

Link's only response to the voice in his head was a silent smirk.



End of Chapter 16.