The Phantom (Short Story, Rated S fo Spooky)

[Daku Rinku]

THE PHANTOM
by Daku Rinku​

INSPIRED BY WASHINGTON IRVING'S SLEEPY HOLLOW

In the village of Kokiri, young child folk live. They never grow old, and this makes them a curiosity. Some settlers from Hyrule had build a village of houses of white wood, there clothes of matching color and the symbol of crimson wings on their attire. The Meeting House could be heard with hymns of Hylia, as they called to the goddess for protection as they build their community. It was at this time a very strange individual arrived, a teacher who was intent on teaching the Kokiri and the Village Children. His name was Herman Vale, and he had a very weak constitution, his palor pale and he wore hankercheif to dry the sweat on his brow. During one class as he held a ruler, and had one Kokiri kid using chalk on a board, one kid entered the class and sat at the back. Herman furious over the tardiness came to the back and saw this kid wore skull like mask.
"Punctuality is normality. You are late.. and that was a mistake."
He was proud of his rhymes, and some of Kokiri tried to defend the one they called Skull Kid.
Herman snapped his ruler on his knee and said,
"Enough! I want to hear why this lad is late from his own mouth."
Skull Kid peered through his mask at the Teacher, who's nose was so pointed it looked like a needle.
"Phantom.."
Herman shouted,
"Speak up!"
The Boy said louder,
"The Phantom.."
At this the rest of the Children became silent, no more teasing or playing around. Herman looked with his pigeon like eyes at them and was astonished that the whole class room was now quiet.
"Phantom? What do you mean laddie?"
The Skull Kid said,
"The Phantom in the woods.."
The window flew open as a great wind blew and fallen leaps lapped at the window seal.
Herman scoffed,
"There is no such thing as phantoms.. you must learn to banish such superstitions. Reason alone is what will make all sensible citizens of Hyrule."
Heading back to the black board with his ruler behind his back, he said,
"I will not tolerate tardiness.. come forward Lad, and write on this board Punctuality is Normality until I tell you to cease. The rest of you may go home."
The Kokiri and Hylian Colonists kids left with haste out of the school house, only Sarai stayed behind as she took her book looking at Skull Kid. She decided to approach the Teacher.
"Mr. Vale, we are people of traditions, just as the Hylians are. Please do not punish him for his explanation any further."
Herman sat at desk sipping some Hyrule Brew.
"You plea for you school mate is noted.. he looked at a chart.. Sarai. However, I will not allow superstitions to be excuses for being late. Besides that is why this colony is here, to help you move past all the magic, and spells to see that Reason alone is salvation."

Sarai sighed and said,
"I understand Mr. Vale.."
She began to walk to the door and looked back at Skull Kid. Outside the Kokiri were gathered in their green tunics, talking, when Sarai joined them.
"He is big dumb Deku!" said one Boy.
"I hope the Phantom gets em!" said another.
Sarai shouted, "Shhhhhh! Do not say the name!"
They each made a gesture, their fingers forming a c as they made circle on their chests in shape of the Spirit Stone.
Sarai decided to wait till Skull Kid was finished, and when he came out, he walked with a somber gate. She approached him and said,
"Are you alright?"
Skull Kid shook his head.
Sarai placed her hand on his shoulder as they walked back towards Kokiri Village.
"You saw him..."
Skull Kid nodded his mask clade head.
"Where?"
Skull Kid pointed to path that broke off, it lead to an abandoned Temple fear in outskirts of the The Lost Woods.
"Why were you there?" asked Sarai.
The Lad bowed his head low.

Herman felt good about himself as he closed the school doors and stepped out in his gray coat, he lit a pipe and began to talk down the steps towards a trail. Light was sparse because of the tree tops, and it was as he took some steps he head a neigh of a horse, thinking this was merely one from the Colony, he did not react and then he heard the beating of hooves on the road and stopped, puffs of smoke rising from his cup shaped end of his pipe.
"Noises.. nothing more.. fabricated by the mind to build superstition. I am a Man of Reason! There are no phantoms, no poes, not demons, and trolls! There is only the power of Man!"
With that he began to walk to his small little house on the edge of the Community, a shack with only two windows. It was meager accommodations that he accepted because of his work, to help teach the mysticism out of a new generation...

 

[Daku Rinku]

As Night fell a great wind blew the oaks with their gnarled branches, some of them beating against Herman's Shack. He laid in a small bed and snored, when outside there was the sound of hooves. In the dark was a light, it was green and sparkled as fire. There was sudden thud at Mr. Vale's front door. He awoke and rubbed his eyes, his needle nose rising up from the thread blanket. He groaned as he walked in socks to the door, and opened it. To his astonishment, there was something embedded in the door. It was a great fork, the blades spread out as claws, and gem at the forte of amber hue. Herman tired to pull it free and held the rather ornate weapon.
"Posh! A prank! I shall make them pay for this!"
He took it inside.

The Next day he stood at the black board with the strange trident instead of his ruler. The children began to pour inside, Kokiri and Hylian. Skull Kid was at the back and walking down the row of desks, Mr. Vale held the fork blade and said.
"I do not appreciate pranks. I know that season of tricks is upon us, and yet I will not tolerate them! I want to know who put this in my door last night? Hmmm?"
The Children looked doe eyed, they each said nothing. Their eyes fixed on the bizarre knife.
Herman came to Skull Kid.,
"Perhaps it was you? A rebuke of my punishment for your lack of punctuality?"
Sarai stood up and said,
"Mr. Vale, he would never do that!"
The Teacher turned and said,
"Enough Sarai! It is he that has the greatest cause to play a trick! And I will not stand for it! I shall execute a greater punishment this time!"
Skull Kid lowered his head to the desk, and moaned.
When Sarai said,
"I did it."
Herman turned with his knife point nose.
"What did you say?"
Sarai spoke louder,
"I put that in your door. I wanted to make you believe The Phantom was real."
Mr. Vale drew over to her and said,
"I see.. then say it, Phantoms are not real."
Sarai twitched a little,
"Why would I say that?"
Herman scoffed,
"Because there is no such thing as phantom, poes, demons, and trolls! There is only Reason!"
He went to black board and scrapped the edge of one of claw points of the trident, making all the kids tremble from the suffering of the scrapping sound. He then wrote on the black board.
"There is no phantoms! There is no poes! There is no demons or trolls! I want you all to recite this! I want you to memorize it! There is Only Reason!"

The Class was forced for hours to repeat this as mantra, when at last they were let out.

"Sarai.. wait a moment."
She holding her book she said,
"Yes Mr. Vale."
He ushered her with his lanky and pale hand,
"I know you did not put this on my door. That you were protecting the culprit. I want you to help me find the real trickster, can you do that?"
Sarai inside felt repulsion to this tattling and spycraft.
"Can it not just be forgotten Mr. Vale? I am sure they will not do it again."
The Teacher shook his head,
"No, an example must be made of."
Sarai sighed and said,
"Alright, I will help."
He smiled, a most awful smile.
"Thank you, you are my prized student."

Sarai joined the children back in square.
"He wants me to find out who did it."
Each protested, and said ,
"But no one did. Honest!"
Sarai was relatively sure someone had placed it on Mr. Vale's door, though she still believed it could be Phantom.
"Skully, could you show me that Temple?"
Skull Kid turned and dropping his head low, nodded.
Sarai and Skull Kid then went off trail, on a road that was blanketed in fallen leaves that were neither red, nor orange, nor yellow, they were black and purple.. withered looking. Sarai felt a chill as they came to threshold of The Lost Woods. A mist began to rise and obscure the way forward. Skull Kid looking at her, as to say "are you sure?"
Sarai nodded, and the two took a step into the fog and there they had to mind their footing, they head a neigh of a horse, and hoofs, Sarai turned and looked, though saw nothing. She followed Skull Kid who seemed to know the way. They came to a clearing and there was runes of a great structure with twisted metal turrents and towers, and roots wrapping around the dark stone that was hewn to be as edges of blades. Sarai looking at it said to Skull Kid,
"Spooky.. you say this is where it lives?"
Skull Kid nodded and trembled a little. Taking his hand Sarai walked towards the Temple, a great wind swirled before the steps of stone and more rotten leaves. They came to mouth of the abandoned fortress, or was it abandoned? As they entered, Sarai could see lights, torches of purple, of green, of blue, and orange. Someone.. something was here. Skull Kid and Her proceeded in, when the gate slide shut behind them, Sarai ran to it, and tried to move it, but there was no use. She was a child. Turning around she noticed Skully was gone.
"Hey?! Skully! Where did you go?"

 

[Daku Rinku]

Sarai found herself in a open foyer with what appeared to be staircases going in several directions, and center was a strange railing of wood in a square below where she stood, and four torches in iron lamposts burning. If this temple was abandoned, why were there lit lamps? And she kept hearing some strange noise, it sounded like a chuckle like that of a child, and the sound of cracker handle toy. She cried out, "Skully!" At this she came to the pit, or was it a well with the four lamps that crackled. Looking deep down she saw something, it appeared white like a skull.
"Skully?!"
She deciding to drop down the well, fell deep down and landed in circular floor. There she found Skull Kid's mask and held it up.
All around her were paintings of a clearing, woods of gnarled black limps and the temple she had entered. One of them she looking closely at had a boy wandering off in the distance. She went up to the painting and tried to touch it, and nothing happened. There was then a sound of neighing, and she turned around. Nothing was in the room, though one of the other six painting that was identical in the landscape it depicted had black rider. She examined the figure, its back was to her, and yet she could see two great horns of bone.
Sarai was feeling frightened, and she decided she needed to get help. She climbed her way out of the well and headed out of temple. She made her way to Kokiri Village and found her friends.
"Skully.. he is trapped in the Forest Temple!"
They all shuddered.
"We have to help him!"
They all looking at each other and then at Sarai.
"He is our friend!"
One of the Boys pipped up, Ewan,
"He is weird.. and besides everyone knows not to go there.."
Sarai astounded by their cold hearts said,
"What if it was one of you? You would want us to come to your rescue!"
None of them said anything and just looked at their fairy boots.
Sarai let out a great sigh.
"I will go find help somewhere else!"

She knew what that meant, that she would have to go into the Community. She did not like the place. All the homes were of white wood, and the people in white mantels and tunics, each had an air not too disimiliar to Mr. Vale. Though perhaps they would listen to her, that a child was in danger. She went into the village, smoke stacks blew black puffs out and people were busy about, she went into the Meeting House, where The Sage of Hylia was. He was dressed in brown robes and rather old. The faith he sought to transplanet in the Forest was that of Nayru, when the Kokiri were devouted to Farore. The goddesses were sisters, and so it did not offend Sarai, however, the Sage was not keen on learning about their Earth Mother, and all she had done for the Forest. The approach of the Nayruian Religion prized mind over mystical, reason and wisdom over transcendant and supernatural forces. This made it difficult for her to describe what had happened to Skull Kid.

The Sage was before an altar, three Blue Candles burning in orbs of clearest cobalt glass. He held his hands together, when Sarai approached. Turning in his habit he said,
"How can I help you my child?"
Sarai sat down in a pew and said,
"A friend of mine has gone missing, who attends Mr. Vale's class."
The Sage with his bald head and cleaven shaven face, save for a long white mustache sat beside her.
"Do you know where your friend went missing?"
Sarai tried to think how to best tell this Priest of Reason what she saw.
"Ruins near the Misty Woods, there is a old castle there."
The Sage rubbed his chin and said,
"I see. What were they doing there?"
To this Sarai decided to speak the truth.
"Forgive me, looking for a phantom."
The Sage blinked and said,
"Hmm.. I have heard stories about those woods."
This suprised her, he had heard the terrifying tales?
"Child are given to curosity, and now you see the cost. I will call the elders together and we will get a search party together. You did right to come to me. Do not fear, I am sure we will find your friend."

Sarai let out a great sigh of relief. Maybe these Hylians were not so bad afterall.

 

[Daku Rinku]

The Community gathered to begin the search for the Skull Kid. Among them was Mr. Vale, who stood rather aloof from the rest as they got torches prepared, and some tools like pitch forks and hoes. To this Herman protested,
"What do you expect to encounter wolves?"
Many of the men who were taking up tools all gave the Teacher a roll of the eyes. He was not much well liked among them, which heartened Sarai. Perhaps he was a poor specimen of the Hylian, if he was one that is. He had no pointed ears, and his skin was so pale that it was as of he was Stalfo.
The Leader was a blond man, who had bright blue eyes, and a sweet countinance. He spoke up and said,
"A child is missing, and we must do what we can to find them. Think of your own children, if any of they was lost, would you not move heaven and earth to find them!"
These words were stirring, the Crowd raised their tools and torches. Herman crossed his arms and sneered. He was clearly a man of books, not action and was begrudgingly going to save face. Sarai was so inspired by this speech she drew near to the Young Man who clearly despite his age had the respect of the Community.
"You lead the way, since you know where you last saw him."
She nodded in response, and the Search Party was underway, heading deep into the wood. They came to the mists, and it was here that Sarai said,
"Stay close.. our people call these The Lost Woods, for many have disappeared."

They were coming close to the Temple, for Sarai remembered there was a clearing, with oaks that flanked the castle. At the sight of it many in community save the Blue Eyed Leader seemed afraid. Herman looking at it said,
"There is no reason to be frightened! It is simply an empty castle is all.. the poor lad probably got lost inside."
Sarai turned to him and said,
"It is the lair of the Phantom.."
He scoffed,
"Superstition! There are no phantoms, no poes, no demons or trolls! There is only the power of Man!"
The Others were not convinced. They drew closer to the threshold of the enterance, and there was ghastly wind that blew, whipping up those rotted leaves.
The Lead said,
"Some of you stay outside and search, three of you join me and the Sarai inside."
Herman demanded,
"I will wait outside.. I have no desire to fuel this delusion."
The Leader turned,
"So be it, Sarai lead the way."
She gave a nod, and holding a torch lead inside the well, the flames were not lit as before. She pointed therein,
"I found his mask down there."
The Leader took some rope and caste it down, and said,
"Rowen, Gidar, and Hobelin, come, let us go in."
The Leader took Sarai in his arms,
"Hold on to me."
She had to admit that she had been wrong about the Hylians. This man had a Courage she had never seen before, and the rest of the Community despite him being younger listen to him. As they slid down the rope, they were once more in the room with paintings. She took her torch and began to look. The Leadder, Rowen, Gidar, and Hobelin all came in, three torches for light. Gidar held his up to the paintings, which were blotted out with black paint. Taking his finger he placed it on and felt it was like ink.
The Leader turned to Sarai,
"Was this as it was before?"
She shook her head,
"No.. there were landscapes.. and a rider in one and child in the other. This has all changed."

Outside the fog from the Lost Woods began to come around the Temple grounds. The Men outside were looking around the fortress, and Herman stood at enterance sighing,
"There is only reason.."
When a howl met his words, and those in the fog began to tremble, another howl and they began to run back towards where Herman was. One that had a hoe was slow, and he was grabbed and taken into the mist as he shouted, "Argh!"
Then with pitchfork turned, and two yellow golden eyes peered at him with snout poised over his head, he screamed and his fork fell.
The other two Men ran to the front, one was trying to come up steps from side, as he grabbed, something tugged at him, he cried out,
"Help me! Help me Teacher!"
Mr. Vale replied,
"This is a delusion! There is nothing to fear!"
The Man was taken away into the mist. The last man went running inside, when Herman looked not afar on the path to the steps was a figure, as it drew closer with each step, he saw it was hunched, its fingers as claws, and snout with teeth and glowing eyes.
He shouted,
"You are not real!"
It growled and then slowly drew closer, when another Wolfo leapt up and opened wide its jaws at Herman, his face covered in its breath which was warm and felt easily because of the cool wind.
"Aaaaah!" screamed Herman as he ran inside, and the doors sealed behind him. He forgetting to not let that happen...

 

[Daku Rinku]

Inside the Temple, those who trespassed began to hear noises, stirrings of the spirits that Herman declared did not exist. Floating about were lights, purple, green, orange, and blue. Sarai sat down in middle of the room with paintings and sobbed,
"I have failed him.."
The Leader placing his hand on her shoulder said,
"No.. we just must search further."
He then looking at Holbein said, "Head back to the surface and sweep those other stairs and rooms." He gave a nod as he climbed up the rope, and suddenly it was tugged and he was pulled up as he screamed.
"Hob?! Hob!"
Gidar and Rowen tried to see up the shaft, when they saw purple light. It was then that the paintings began to stir, the black sap began to run and fall into the drains around the circular plateau. Sarai nudged The Leader,
"Look!"
The Landscapes were forming with great gnarled oaks of dark wood, and a trail with the fortress in the background. None of the six had a child, though one had a rider, facing them, its skull mask with horns, his eyes aflame. The Leader looking at it noticed it seemed to get closer, and closer. Suddenly rising out of painting was a horse of black and the Dark Rider who with a pitch fork like spear who was surrounded in fire of purple as he came from the canvas. The horse snorted fumes like smoke, and the Phantom turned its great yellow eyes on them as it raised trident spear, its breathing sounded deep and heavy beneath the mask, as if in a tomb, and then it dipped the tip into Gidar and carried him up into air as he screamed and rode into the other painting behind. The Leader looking at Sarai for the first time displayed a sense of great dread.
"Did you see that?!"
Sarai nodded.
The Leader gasped, and said,
"Gidar!!!"
He ran up to the painting and felt it was solid.
"What witchcraft is this?!"

On the upper level Herman and the other Community member came upon the sight of Hoblein being strung up by Poes who all cackled in their robes. They swirled as they levitated above the four fires that were lit. To this Herman shouted,
"There are no Poes!"
At this the Four Poes turned and made a ghastly laugh as they came closer and released waves of flame from their lanterns at him, and the other Man who grabbed him by the neck and drew to the stairs where a green Poe hung over and dropped flames at them. The both dove on to steps, and then crawled up them underneath the floating spectra, and headed for the nearest door, they grabbed the silver knob, and opened, and closed the door. Herman began to lose his nerve,
"This is not real! This is all a delusion!"
The Other Man said,
"Enough! This is happening you dim witted fool!"
Herman turned around with eyes most deranged, and twitching,
"No! You will not lead me to supersition!"
He grabbed a candlestick holder of silver and hit the Man over the head, breaking off two the holders.
"I am a man of reason! You will not bespell me with this elaborate ruse!"
Behind him on the wall was painting like that down in the well,
and rising out of it was the Trident which began to reach for his back collar.

 

[Daku Rinku]

Sarai climbed up the well with The Leader when a lantern swept over their head, purple fire nearly shinging her head. There was Poes dancing in the air as they cackled, and she gasped. The Leader offered his hand and kicked a Poe that began to spin towards them. The Blond Young Man and the Kokiri made haste to the great doors which were sealed.
"Oh great! I told them not to shut the doors!"
Sarai tugged at his arm, as a glob of flame came flying at him. He clinching his teeth charged at the Poe and swept below it as he grabbed the lantern hand and threw it into the wall when it passed through, the metal lantern falling on the ground. Sarai picked it up, and said,
"We must find another way out."
The Leader nodded,
"The stairs.. lets head there."

Meanwhile, Herman awoke in a forest and his neck was against a black wood trunk. He rubbed the nape of his neck and said,
"It was all a delusion as I sensed! I am back at my cabin!"
As he stood up he noticed that the air was strange, and his throat felt oily. He then looked to the sky and saw the swirls were as if brush strokes and he rubbed his eyes.
"Consternation! Am I still hallucinating?! There is no phantoms, there is is no poes, there is no demons and trolls! There is only the Power of Man!"
At this he heard a snort of a horse, and he removed his pale hands, two nostrils flanked his needle nose.
Mounted on the stead was a figure in dark plate armor. Herman stepping back took a better look and saw the Skull Mask with horns and glowing eyes.
"Enough with these confounded pranks! I am a Man of Reason!"
The Phantom drew his Yari and stabbed his great gray coat at the collar and raised him up on the spear. Herman cried out as he drew him closer and then a voice, a most deep and guttural one said,
"Punctuality is Normality.."
At those words Mr. Vale gasped and looked at him with quaking eyes.
"Its.. its you!!!"
The Phantom drew him away towards the fortress in the distance of this canvas, Herman screaming.

 

[Daku Rinku]

Sarai and The Leader made it into a room, and saw that it had an open window with terrace. They went out on to, the fog was thick and visibility very low. Looking over to another balcony, he saw there was some of the ridges that they could scale get back down below and out of this nightmare.
"Sarai, follow me!"
The Leader began to step over his stone railing and prepared to jump over to the other balcony, as he leapt past the window, a spear broke through the glass at him, it was the same as the one in the well that got Gidar. It caught The Leader by the hood, and he was being drawn inside. Sarai leapt and shouted,
"No!"
She grabbed his legs to help add wait, they now dangling over the mists below, where growling was heard. A figure of a Wolfo began to emerging as a shadow below. Sarai saw it and looking up at the Leader said,
"We have to drop! Do not let him take you."
The Leader took his hand and reached down to Sarai's fingers on his boot and said,
"Save yourself.."
He then forced he to loosen her grip and she fell down and rolled. The Leader was then drawn inside the smashed window. Sarai now in the tully fog tried to see, but the window was dim and she now heard the snarl of the creature nearby. She dusted herself off and began to run, the Wolfo in prusuit, she wound around a tree trunk and made her way into the Lost Woods, she tried to remember the way. The Werewolf kept pace and followed her to the threshold of the Village, where as she ran into the white wood town center it ceased its pursuit and she headed to the steps of the Meeting House, where she found The Priest and told him,
"Help! Please! All of them have been taken!"
The Priest turned from his prayers and came to the disturbed child and listened as she told of the horrors of the Temple. He held his hand to his clean shaven chin and said,
"If what you say is true, then we need to inform Hyrule. We need them to send a regiment to help cleanse this abomination."
Sarai cried out,
"Steel cannot defeat this thing! It is a Phantom! We need magic."
The Priest tried to calm her and said,
"Perhaps.. but what kind of magic could banish such evil? We need insight.. Nayru hear us!"
As he stepped towards the altar he then turned and said,
"Madam Givalia.. she will know."
Sarai repeated,
"Madam Givalia?"
He nodded,
"She is a Witch who lives in the forest nearest the Desert Mountains. If anyone will know how to deal with this Phantom. It is she."
Sarai sighed,
"Then I will go and seek her."
The Piest made the sign of three circles in the air over here,
"May the Golden Goddesses watch over you and strengthen you Child. I will request the regiment in case steel is needed."
Sarai nodded.
She returned to Kokiri Village, where she found a pack and began to load it with necessities such as Deku Seeds, a Slingshot, her Ocarina, and Kokiri Shield that she slung on to her back with its red swirl like the circle of an inner tree trunk. She then went to the Greagt Deku Tree, who had long perished. There on a stump rested the Kokiri Sword, a weapon passed from generation to generation and used only in the times of great need. She took hold of brown handle and pulled, the blade shifted in the rings of wood as she cried out.
"Please.. I need aid! Farore! Mother loose this blade that I may save our forest from this malice!"
At those words orbs of light began to swirl around, and the blade drew forth and now was in his hand. Sarai held the mirror like flat to hsi face, seeing her own reflection, a determined girl who now was on a quest to save her neighbors.

 

[Daku Rinku]

Sarai armed with sword and shield made her way to the Lost Woods. There in thick mists, she could sense something was shadowing her. She drew her Kokiri Sword, watching for any movement in the fog. She was coming to the edge of the wood where the field of Hyrule, it was here that she saw a house made out of a great oak. She came to the round door of yellow wood, on it a seal of stars in purple. She gave knock, and there was no response, this was the location that The Priest had told her to come to and there was a house that looked to be that of Witch.

She took a step towards a stump with many rings on it and took a seat, and there she did wait. The Sun set and the crescent moon rose in the sky, when Sarai heard a growl. She stood up and the Werewolf had found her, its eyes of yellow fixed, its red tongue falling out from its jaws as saliva dripped in a display most unsettling. Sarai unslung her Deku Shield and taking her sword made her stand against the beast that proweled low to the ground. It let out a cry, "Ar ar roooo!" as it lunged on all fours, the Kokiri Girl lifting her wood bukcler to meat its claws which scratched at the wood, shaving off pieces as the Wolfo began to double back on all fours. Leaping up on its hind legs it spun his body, the claws swirling and meating her sword with loud clang that echoed in the forest.

Sarai thrusted as it went back on all fours, the mirror perfect blade coming close to the creature's eye as it evaded with a snarl and then a growl as it rose up again on its hind leg and swiping it forepaw it threw Sarai on her back, landing on the tree trunk. It then charging at her for the final blow, when a bolt of lightning came from the heaven and piercing the air like a serpent falling, hit the Wolfo in the heand making it cry out. The smell of burning hair filled the air, the Wolfo drew back, stumbling and then it made for Sarai once more, when bolts felt, one by one aorund the trunk, making a shield of lightning, which burned the creature as it tried to break through and finally after another bolt struck it in the head, it fell, its hide smoking. The Kokiri Girl sat up and saw approaching a woman with long white hair, earling of gold, and eyes as green as her own hair. Her dress was red robes with golden neclackes falling from her dark skin neck. Sarai standing once more gave a bow as this Woman approached the door of the house and it opened without her touching the knob.
"Well if you are going to come in.. come on."
Sarai stirred and heading inside,
Within was a great many pecularities, herbs hanging, candles burning, and a table of finest stone, onyx. The Witch took a seat at as great armchair of finest red fabric with gold circles on it, and she ushered her hand to a stool, that Sarai sat upon.
"What brings you this far to the edge of the forest child?"
Sarai sat down her shield and sword, taking the stool as a seat she replied,
"I was sent by the Priest of the Colony to seek the wisdom of a witch."
She chuckled,
"A Witch eh? You know most witches are just women with wit. If you seek sorcery, I can be of help."
Sarai nodded,
"I need a powerful magic.. to stop a Phantom."
The Gerudo Woman blinking, her eye lids golden.
"A phantom you say? Describe this phantom."
Sarai replied,
"He rides a horse of black, a mask of skull with horns, hair most red, like yours. He has great spear with three points, and he has taken many of my friends."
The Gerudo put her hands togethet and frowned,
"Ganon.."
A wind seemed to come through window and candles were snuffed out.
Sarai repeating the name,
"Ganon?"
The Gerudo Witch nodded.
"It is said a Gerudo, one called Ganondorf formed with the Dark Power one in his image who would serve him. This Phantasm derives its power from The Dark Lord himself."
Sarai sighed,
"How is he to be defeated?"
Givalia stood up and waving her hand the candles lit once more,
"Ganon is a Demon beyond your skill and even mine.. He was sealed in the Void by The Sages."
The Kokiri Girl entreated,
"There must be some way to defeat His Phantom.."
The Gerudo Witch nodded,
"You will need a relic from the Spirit Temple.. which far from the forest and deep in the lands of my people."
Sarai nodded,
"I am not afraid."
The Witch smiled,
"You have great Courage Kid, the powers you are facing are not to be trifled with. I will accompany you to the Spirit Temple."
Sarai smiled,
"My name is Sarai."
The Gerudo nodded and said,
"I know.. mine is Givalia."

 

[Daku Rinku]

The Journey to the Desert was long and dry. Sarai had never been in a climate such as this, where no trees grew save palms near water. Givalia knew the way and lead her on, they came upon the Great Colossus, a Gerudo like stature with lifted hands and the enterance to the Spirit Temple.
"The Goddess of the Sand.. neigh forgot by my people. Take heed Child, we enter into the place fraught with peril."
The White Haired Gerudo Woman lead the way, at the stairs of golden mosaic stone was torches that lapped, which meant someone was keeping them lit. Sarai entering with her Escort was wary, the inside was full of the mosaic and golden stone, with sand blanketing areas, and no light save through openings in the ceiling that were reflected by mirrors in then shape of Cobras. The Gerudo Witch approached what appeared to be black coffin and said,
"Be careful.. inside are Anubi and Gibdos.. the mummified corpses of cursed people."
Sarai stepped on a tile, and the Sarcaphogus stirred, to which Givalia turned and drew her rod of black and began to chant. The front of the coffin shook and fell off, with a figure wrapped in white wrappings that began to stepping with lanky arms and legs, its golden eye fixing on Sarai who felt her blood go still and she heard in her head screams.
Givalia summoning a flame caste it on the Gibdo, that began to catch fire, the wrappings making it travel all over its body as it fell down and groaned.
A door opening and Anubis began to float towards them, its jackel face mask shooting beams from its eyes. Sarai held up her Deku shield, but the beam tore a hole through it and singed her arm.
Givalia shouting,
"You need to use a mirror.. quick draw its fire back at it with the Cobra!"
She caste a whirl wind that made the being spin around as it fired beams.
Sarai took hold of the Cobra neck and used all her strength to turn it. She seeing the Anubis ready to attack Givalia, called out,
"He Jack Head! Over hear!"
It turning fired the beams and mirror reflecting them back hit the floating threat as it fell to the ground, smoking. Givalia shouted,
"Come on! That will merely stun it a while.. we must make haste!"
The Spirit Temple was full of traps, spikes rising from walls, flames that blew as they came near chests. Finally they came to a great room with the Gerudo Symbol of the circles and crescents. Torches all about and Four Mirrors. There a Great Chest was guarded by two Anubi, who floating about acted as sentinels. Givalia looking at them said,
"I will tend to one, you get the other, the same stategy as before."
As Sarai ran to the nearest mirror, the sand beneath her feet swirled as a wrapped hand grabbed her leg. Sarai fell and took her Kokiri Sword and stabbed into the sand at the hand. There was a groan, when rising up out of it was Gibdo that tried to lock eyes with Sarai, this time she used the Deku Shield to block his sight, and she thrusted at it. Givala was being shot at by Anubi, she sent another whirlwind at them causing the two to spin around like tops. She then grabbed a Mirror, and used it to reflect the shots of the Levitating Jackals. Sarai kicked the Gibdo and ran towards her mirror, and knocked it to reflect the Anubis that was now turning towards her. The two fell stunned and Sarai joined Givalia at the Great Red Chest.
"Open it child."

Sarai opening the chest saw a Shield in the shape of a crecent, the rest of it filled in as mirror, and metal around it the Gerudo colors. It was suprisingly light. Givalia took her Deku shield and tossed it at Gibdo and caste fire upon it.
"This is your shield now. You must use it on the Phantom of your forest.. to do as we have done to these Anubi, using their power against them. Do you understand?"
Sarai nodded.
The two made their escape out of the Temple, evading the traps they had memorized as they came back out the great opening below the Colossus.
Sarai took a breath,
"This is a strange place.."
Givalia nodded,
"The damned have always been lodged therein, those our people seek to keep trapped even in the afterlife."
As they stood on the steps a group of Gerudo witth Scrimitars and Spears drew near.
"Let me speak with them and explain."
Sarai looking at this giant women felt even more small compared to the Hylians who made her feel short. One of them wearing a crown that looked like six wings and green eyes looked at her, Givalia motioned for Sarai to approach.
"This is Urbosa, Chieftan of my people."
The Tall and rather full figured Woman looked at the Young Girl.
"You braved the Temple and have taken the Shield of the Seven. It is clear that the Seven are with you to achieve such a feat."
Sarai gave a bow,
"I only mean to use it to deliver my people from a great evil and then I will return it."
Urbosa smiled, her teal lips so vibrant.
Givlia looking at the Chieftan said,
"I will ensure it is returned."
Urbosa held up her hand and said,
"I know you well Givalia, you have always kept your word and are welcome in your homeland. As for you, you too are welcome as are all strong women. May The Seven Heroines give you victory over the evil you seek to vanquish."
Sarai smiled, she was rather curious about The Gerudo, they were as titans and yet she sensed beneath their armor a heart beating as tender as hers.
With that Givalia and Sarai set out to return to the Woods, where Givalia would stop at her house.
"We must part ways my friend."
Sarai with the Mirror Shield slung on her back nodded,
"I wish you could come with me.. and help me.. I have lost so many friends already to this Phantom."
Givalia placing her hand on the cheek of the Child said,
"You must face this foe alone. What is needed to defeat it is within you, and this shield."
Sarai sighed,
"Thank you Givalia, I know now you are not a witch, and wish to call you my friend."
Givalia smiled,
"Aye, a Witch I am not, though magic I use. Remember that Little One, Darkness is preys on fear and that is its power, if you let go of fear you will have the advantage. Remember that."
Sarai nodded as she turned and said,
"I will."

 

[Daku Rinku]

Sarai marched upon The Forest Temple with a spring in her step, the fog parting before her as the Wolfos howled and began to charge. She raising her Kokiri Sword and the Mirror Shield met them. The claws bouncing off the moon shaped buckler as she thrusted her blade into one of the Werewolves under arm, making it cry out in pain. The Short Girl then came to the great enterance of the Phantom's Laire, the draw bridge like chains slacking and the great gate opening enough for her to enter. She stepping inside came to that great foyer, the great lanterns lit with purple flame as she saw the well that lead down to the room of paintings. Rushing forward, a Poe materialized with a dark chuckle with its lantern, she slide beneath its swirling lamp of flame and leapt into the well.

There she found herself in the Great Room of paintings. On two of them was the Rider, which was as still as if statues. Sarai raising up her blade and beating the flat on the Shield of the Seven shouted,
"Come forth! I am not afraid!"

There was no answer, not even the sound of hooves as before. She drew close to one of the paintings and dipped her tip into canvas and let out a cry,
"I am here! Face me! Show yourself Phantom!"
Still no answer, not even the Poes above gave their cackle. Sarai sat down on the medallion circle and let out a sigh. The Hylians who had come to help depended on her and she could not seem to stir the spirits. Why? Now at last when she was ready to face unmentionable fear, nothing.. as if all of this had been some nightmare, and if she returned to the village, she would find The Leader, and even Professor Vale at his shack, and everyone remarking how daft she is to speak of a demon rider. One more Sarai scaled that narrow chimney like well to the surface, the lanterns were not lit. She made her way back to The Community, where everyone seemed rather attuned, as if their husbands were no missing. Sarai even saw the Leader working hard upon some wood, shaving off a beam being prepared for a house.

She ran over to him,
"You are alright!"
He turned with golden blond locks and bright blue eyes.
"Of course, it is a mere scatch. I shall have this beam ready anon."
She looking at him said,
"What of the Spear and your time in the Temple?"
He looking at her blinked,
"Spear? How queer.. whatn do you mean by that?"
Sarai was aghast, he did not remember any of it. She saw Herman walking the streets and ran over to him,
"Professor Vale! You are alright!"
He looking at her with scowl,
"What is a matter with you girl?! First you miss class and now inquire about my health? You shall be sentenced for to two week's detention for missing class."
He then walking past her headed to cart selling vegetables.
Sarai turning was befuddled, why did none of them remember?
It was then as she sat on the stone half wall of the fountain, had to imagined it all? She checking her person saw the sword and shield, if they were real, certainly everything else had taken place too!

As she leaned forward, The Leader drew close with his beam and his eyes flashing purple as he said,
"Poor girl.. did you think I would meet you on your terms?"
She looking up saw his face, the voice was deep and the laughter unnerving. Mr. Vale walking past with glowing amethyst eyes said to her,
"You boast to have no fear.. well I now hold all you hold dear!"
Sarai looking at everyone saw their eyes glowing as they grabbed different tools and torches to come at her, shouting,
"Burn the Witch! Burn the Witch!"
Sarai began running to one corner of the village, when a crowd of the Hylians with glowing eyes of deepest purple barred her way, she tried to go to another part of the village and they were there, and now she was surrounded by them, they morphing into a great pool of darkness pulling her down as she screamed.