CHAPTER 8: BATTLE WITH THE WOLFOS
“This could be trickier than it sounds; the Lost Woods is a dangerous place. It has a lot of twists and turns to maneuver around. A person could perish from being lost too long.” Link said as they reached the entrance, “Maybe there’s a way we can track the Staff Piece’s power…” Serenity was way ahead of him, holding the piece that they had already found. Her eyes were shut, and she was mumbling something in another language. Soon, the Staff piece started glowing yellow. She opened her eyes, “There, the brighter this gets, the closer we are to the next Piece.” Link smiled and shook his head, “How did I manage without you?” She shrugged and they entered the forest. After a few wrong turns, they were defiantly on the right track. Soon, the Staff piece was glowing so bright that they could barely see where they were going. All of a sudden, it made a huge flash, and then its light went out. Link was confused, “What happened?” Serenity shrugged, “I, I don’t know,” she looked around and her eyes rested on a stone monument, “Link look! We found it!” They had reached a clearing in the dense path of trees. In front of them was a small shrine, with stone steps leading to a pedestal with a glass case on it. She started toward it, but Link grabbed her arm suddenly, surprising her, “Link! What are you doing?” He hushed her, his sharp ears hearing a soft sound. “Quiet,” he whispered, “remember what the Deku Tree Sprout said about the guardians?” Serenity’s eyes got big as she caught her breath; she had never seen a Wolfos before, let alone a whole pack. Link darted his eyes around the clearing; he knew they were surrounded. “Serenity, listen to me, we are about to get ambushed. We’re going to have to split up. Use your magic anyway you can. I’m going to try to beat most of them, but I’ll need back up.” Serenity nodded, “Ok, I can do this, right?” Link nodded back, “I have faith in you. Trust me.” As soon as he said that, four Wolfos howled and jumped out of the trees, three more came out from behind a nearby rock, and two from behind the shrine; they were indeed surrounded. With a loud battle cry, Link grabbed his Biggoron Sword and jumped into the pack, slashing away. He got the first one right away, slitting its throat. It fell silent and three more attacked, angry at what this intruder did to their friend. He took out another one, as one more snuck up behind him and swiped at his arm. “Hey! Look out!” Navi called. He screamed and turned to send it flying into a rock, where it fell limp. Meanwhile, three more Wolfos surrounded Serenity, who was completely unarmed. "Goddesses, what do I do? Help me!" she thought desperatly to herself. She turned quickly when she heard Link scream in pain. “That does it! You guys are SO dead!” She bent down, her hands behind her. She closed her eyes and whispered a spell. Just then, her hands started glowing, and a red fireball formed in her hands. The Wolfos were bored with this stranger. They decided to make her a meal instead. It was too late for that, though, because when they attacked, she unleashed the energy in her hands, and released the most powerful Din’s Fire attack that Link had ever seen. It set every one of the Wolfos on fire and they all fell into a charred, smoldering pile. Serenity looked around at all the dead Wolfos, and her eyes rested on an injured Link. She ran over to him, “Link, you’re hurt!” His arm was bleeding badly, and he winced in pain, “Don’t worry, it’s not that bad.”
“Yes it is, I’m so sorry. I should have been there to help you.” He looked at her, “Serenity don’t worry, there’s nothing you could have done.” She gently touched the edge of the wound, and a soft glow began to outline it. As they both watched in awe, the wound started healing very rapidly. Soon, there wasn’t ever a tear in his sleeve; the cut was gone. He smiled, “Maybe you helped me after all.” She smiled and they both stood up and observed the outcome of the battle. “Wow,” Link said in awe, “That was the most powerful, well timed Din’s Fire attack that I have ever seen. How did you do that?” Serenity shrugged, “I don’t know. I asked the goddesses for help, and that happened. I guess I might be getting used to these powers.” Their gaze rested on the shrine. “Do the honors, Serenity.” Link gently pushed her forward. She walked up the steps and raised the glass covering the Staff piece. As she picked it up and turned around, it started glowing with a green light. The two smiled as a bright light engulfed them and when it faded, they were in front of the Deku Tree Sprout again. “Well done you two. I knew you could do it. Now I will tell you more about the legend of the Faierikin.” Link and Serenity sat down, as Navi perched on Link’s shoulder. The Deku Tree Sprout began, “As you both know, it is your destiny to battle together to defeat the Evil One when he escapes from his prison in the Sacred Realm. With the help of the Staff of Power you will be able to defeat him. The goddesses broke the Staff into seven pieces when they realized that it was too powerful for any mere being to control. As individual pieces, the Staff still contains power. Serenity, did you notice something odd when you were first retrieving the Piece of Light?” Serenity wrinkled her brow in thought, and then she remembered, “Yeah, I started glowing because the room was dark! Was that the Staff?”
“Yes, it was the Staff trying to combine with your own hidden power. I want you to do something for me. Take this seed.” When he said this, a small seed appeared in front of Serenity. She picked it up and gave him a confused look. “Now, dig a small hole and plant it.” Again she did as she was told. “Good, now make it grow.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” The Sprout smiled, “Just trust yourself, Serenity. I know you can do it.” She sighed and kneeled over the small mound of dirt where she had planted the seed. Gently she placed her hand over the mound and closed her eyes in concentration. Soon, a green glow surrounded her body. Link and Navi watched in amazement as a small stem came up between Serenity’s fingers. Then, it developed into a beautiful flower. That wasn’t enough, though, for soon an entire patch of flowers surrounded them, each one more beautiful than the previous one. The glow around Serenity ceased, and she opened her eyes, “Wow! Did I do that?”
“Yes, with the help of the Piece of Forest.” Link, Serenity, and Navi all jumped at this new voice. Link smiled as soon as he saw the voice’s small, green-haired owner, “Saria!” She smiled and said, “Hello Link, it’s been a while. This must be the great Serenity. I am pleased to meet you. I am Saria, the Sage of the Forest.”
“I believe the pleasure should be mine, although I wouldn’t consider myself ‘great’.” Serenity was a very modest person; she didn’t know why people thought this was weird. Saria smiled, her blue eyes shining, “You and Link will do more for this land than either one of you can imagine. I am here now to give you the next clue to the Staff of Power. The next Piece lies at the bottom of a lake of fire. Good luck you two.” She turned to Link, “Link, we will meet again, I promise. I miss you my friend.” He knelt down and gave her a hug, a single tear sliding down his cheek, “I miss you too. Thank you.” Saria disappeared, and the two bid farewell to the Deku Tree Sprout.