At long last, here’s episode 11!
Previously, on “The Legend of Zelda: The Sacred Gems”…
Thani smiled. “Well done, Link…I would have expected nothing less from the hero that traveled through time.” she smiled as the two of them passed through the next door into a room similar to where they had entered from. The only item present in the room was a large ivory altar, where a dull red stone that resembled a clock face hovered, as if beckoning for someone to take it.
Link, meanwhile, was a bit hesitant–was that really the Garnet? Or was it another stone that only looked like it that had been planted there as a trap? He assured himself that Thani didn’t look like one to betray him as he nervously walked to the altar and gently picked up the garnet.
A gentle female voice echoed through the room. Thank you, young one, for rescuing me…I am the Garnet of Hours.
“Who are you?” Link gasped in surprise–he hadn’t counted on the Gems of Power being able to speak.
I am the Spirit of Time that lives in the Garnet. the voice replied. If you bring me to where the Jeweled Sword lies and set me within–I will repay you handsomely. With that, Link felt a soothing blue glow around him as the power of the Garnet warped him and Thani outside….
Episode 11: The Spring of Blessing
Link and Thani arrived at the edge of the mountain path seconds after departing the Temple of Hours. With one of the Gems of Power now in his possession, the next question was figuring out where the Spring of Blessing was.
He sighed and fished out the Ocarina again as he set foot in Hyrule Field again. Maybe Saria knows where the Spring is… he thought as he performed the familiar joyful melody of Saria’s Song.
“That song…is it special to you?” Thani was piqued by the melody.
“Yeah–a friend taught it to me during my first adventure–so we could communicate with each other.” Link explained as he listened for Saria to answer the song.
After a few tense seconds, a familiar voice echoed in Link’s mind as a faint green aura surrounded him. Can you hear me? It’s Saria.
I hear you loud and clear. Link “replied” in his mind. I’m on another adventure…
A new adventure? Tell me about it! Saria giggled.
It started when I rescued my new fairy friend, Thani, from a Moblin in the woods. Link explained. You remember the Kokiri’s Emerald that the Deku Sprout now holds?
Yes, I remember the Spiritual Stone well. Saria replied. What about it?
Thani told me that the Spiritual Stones I gathered on my first adventure are known as Gems of Power in the fairy realms, and they are only three of eight in the set. Link explained. I asked Princess Zelda if she could help, and she told me she had seen a place called the Spring of Blessing in a dream. Would you happen to know where this spring is?
There was a tense pause for a moment before Saria returned. I believe I know the place where you speak–there’s what looks like a lake in a clearing just before you arrive at the Sacred Forest Meadow. Usually, there are hundreds of fairies relaxing and traveling to the fairy realms; but ever since an inky cloud of darkness descended upon it, I haven’t seen a single fairy there.
Really? We’re on our way! Link replied. Thank you, Saria!
You’re welcome! was Saria’s last reply before the aura around Link faded, leaving him and Thani alone again.
“If what Saria says is true, then Arthan may be trying to enter the human world–if he hasn’t already conquered the fairy realms first.” Thani worried as Link led the way towards the forest.
“We may still have time!” Link assured Thani as he raced over the bridge leading into Kokiri Forest, skillfully climbed the vine covered walls that sealed off the woods from the Kokiri village, and began weaving through the various clearings of the Lost Woods, as if going to the Sacred Forest Meadow.
They arrived some minutes later at a clearing with a large lake ringed by ivory statues of fairies and plants Link had never seen before. While the plants would be usually blooming, an omnious cloud coming from the center of the lake had caused the water it touched to turn a sicking blue-green, which in turn made what plants it touch wilt.
Thani gasped when she saw the inky blackness surrounding the Spring of Blessing. “Oh no…no…if Arthan has consumed the Spring, we won’t be able to claim the Jeweled Blade!”
“How do you know if the Spring has been consumed or not? The Jeweled Sword is safe, regardless of what has happened.” the Garnet assured Thani and Link. At this a column of blue light appeared and dropped a familiar sword before Thani.
“Is that the Jeweled Sword?” Link was interested in the sword’s butterfly-like guard, its wings containing eight spaces to place things. His question was answered when the Garnet flew from his bag and settled into the top left space on the butterfly’s left wing.
“You speak the truth, young hero.” the Garnet replied. “While what you see here is a scene of hopelessness, what your friend fears has not happened yet. If she sets the Gem of Power she carries into the Sword, the two of you will be able to dispel the black cloud and keep Arthan back for a while longer.”
“Of course, the Sun’s Diamond!” Thani smiled as she retrieved the gem from her bag. Just before she could set it into the butterfly-shaped guard, a Deku Scrub raced past and snatched the gem away with a taunting giggle.
“Hey!” Link was shocked!
“Give that back!” Thani yelled. With that, she angrily flew off after the Deku Scrub. Link followed behind her, desprately hoping that they would even be able to get the Diamond back….
To Be Continued…
