Chapter 2: The Deku Tree's Request
Vicious weeds sprouted out of the ground as Link made his way towards the great Deku Tree. Their stems were covered with razor sharp thorns and their buds were mouths that made a grimacing smile as they attempted to chomp at Link. Fast on his feet, Link jumped out of range and cut at the closest plant with his sword.
"What in the world are these things?" cried Link. "I've never seen such plants growing in the forest before."
"These are Deku Babas," answered Navi. "Carnivorous plants that devour anything that comes in range. Luckily you can kill them by simply severing their stem."
Taking a deep breath, Link dashed at the plants and sliced them in two. A few more quickly sprouted out of the ground, but Link quickly killed them too, green fluids spraying out their stems from the root side and the head twitching on the ground for a short time before becoming still.
"Simple enough," panted Link. "How did you know about these things, Navi?"
"The Great Deku Tree taught me about them," Navi explained. "He spent years instructing me in all he could. I wonder if this was the reason he did it."
"Well, maybe these plants have something to do with what he needs from me," suggested Link. "It isn't what I expected, but a bunch of weird plants shouldn't be that hard to fight."
"I doubt it would be that," Navi replied. "And the fact that they are here has me extra worried."
"Why is that?" asked Link.
"Those are evil plants," Navi told him. "They normally can't grow here because of the Great Deku Tree. His power protects the forest and purifies the soil. It should not be possible for them to be here especially this close to the Great Deku Tree, but now all of a sudden I can sense this dark aura."
"A dark aura?" said Link. "I heard that fairies can sense things that most other creatures cannot. So, you can detect evil?"
"That's right," answered Navi. "I wasn't expecting anything evil to be around here so I didn't sense it. That was why they managed to surprise us, but now that I'm aware I can sense something far worse up ahead of us and the part that disturbs me the most is that it seems to be coming from within the Great Deku Tree."
"Inside the Great Deku Tree?" repeated Link. "Just what is happening?" Not waiting for an answer from Navi, Link ran towards the Great Deku Tree to find out from him. Equally curious, Navi rushed after Link.
"Oh... Navi..." spoke the Great Deku Tree as Link and Nave approached him, his words normally calm and soft felt even more that usual becoming faint and weak. "Thou hast returned... Link... Welcome..."
"Great Deku Tree!" cried Link. "It is great to see you, but why do you sound so weak and why does Navi sense evil within you?"
"Silence, Link!" snapped Navi. "Despite the situation, you cannot talk out of turn with the Great Deku Tree."
"Navi... It is quite fine," stated the Great Deku Tree. "Link is concerned about me and that is understandable and I can see you feel just the same and that is why I have a request for the two of you. Listen carefully to what I, the Deku Tree, am about to tell thee... Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless and full of nightmares..."
"Nightmares," thought Link recalling the bits and pieces still lingering in his mind. "I did have that one and I did have others before that." Looking up at the Deku Tree Link nodded.
"As the servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it," he continued. "Verily, thou hast felt it... And now Link... The time has come to test thy courage... I have been cursed and I need you to break it with your courage and wisdom."
"You were cursed?" cried Navi. "Who could have such terrible power that they could inflict such a terrible thing upon you and for what purpose?"
"I shall explain that once my request has been completed," the Great Deku Tree answered. "Now, Link, do you have the courage to break the curse?"
Taking a step forward Link nodded and gave his answered, "For the sake of the Great Deku Tree and the forest of the Kokiri I shall break the curse upon you."
Hearing Link's resolve, the trunk of the Great Deku Tree began to move like it was mouth opening up. "Then enter, brave Link, and thou too, Navi... Thou must aid Link... The knowledge and wisdom you have will prove most vital to the task at hand. I wish you both the best of luck."
Link gazed around a how hollow it was. The way the wood hollowed out it made stairways and platforms like it was a dungeon or an obstacle course. Link could also see more Deku Babas as well and Skulltulas, rather large spiders with a rock hard abdomen in the shape of a skull. The webs of the Skulltulas were all over the walls and hanging from the ceiling awaiting any prey that would foolishly approach it. "So this is what the Great Deku Tree looks like inside?" asked Link.
"Don't forget," informed Navi. "The Great Deku Tree is the spirit of the forest. He has taken on many shapes and forms since the very dawn of the forest. He did so to best protect it and keep it safe. With the forest strong and thriving he was no longer in need of a body that could move and thus became a tree to return as part of the forest and watch over it and share his wisdom with the folk of the forest, the Kokiri. Unfortunately, now this darkness appears to be stealing the Deku Tree's power and warping him for its own betterment."
"So it is using the Deku Tree to prevent us from reaching it?" questioned Link. "Can't you just detect where it is hiding?"
"Very easily," Navi answered. "There is a lot of darkness in here mainly emanating from the monsters, but the source of their darkness is coming from deeper within the Great Deku Tree, was below in his root system. From what I'm gathering it will do little good to fight the other monsters lurking around because the big monster's dark aura will make them revive before long. Your best option is to avoid any battles you can and fight only when necessary."
"I'm still a bit frightened," admitted Link, shaking at the thought of just what kind of creature was orchestrating all of this. "But if the Great Deku Tree believes I can do this then he must be right, shouldn't he?"
"I cannot think of any other reason why he would send you in here," replied Navi.
"Then I better find a way to get down to the roots," said Link, as he began looking around.
"I hope the Great Deku Tree truly was correct in selecting Link," thought Navi as Link walked around. "I do not want to alarm him, but I sensed something down below, another large aura similar to the first, but something that might be far, far worse. Is the Great Deku Tree's life the only thing at stake? What has he yet to tell us?"
"I think I found something," Link called to Navi.
"You found a way down," Navi stuttered as Link broke her train of thought. She fluttered over to look and saw what he had found, a hole leading deeper into the depths of the Great Deku Tree, but whatever was down there was too dark to see. Even more problematic was the webbing covering the hole and despite Link's attempts to cut a hole in the ground with his sword, the countless webs just stuck together and undid any progress Link made.
"I did, but I can't get through," replied Link. "These webs are too hard to cut through."
"Well other than cutting, fire or a sufficient amount of force could help you get through it," informed Navi.
"I know that," stated Link. "But I can't see how I can use either. All the torches in here are out of reach and I didn't see any way I can use force."
"Well give me a moment to think," said Navi as she fluttered into Link's head. "I'll figure a solution out to get us through."
Link waited a few minutes, looking around the tree, waiting for Navi to answer. As he did, his eyes widened. "Navi, can I asked you something?" he asked.
"No. I haven't thought of anything yet," admitted Navi.
"Not that," replied Link. "I want to try and get up there." Link pointed up towards the top point of the room and then over to some vines hanging on the walls. "I figure I can get up there with those vines, but those Skulltulas are going to attack me the moment I start climbing. Any ideas how I can get rid of them?"
"Not sure what you have in mind, but I did sense some light coming from the room up over there," answered Navi. "I can't say for certain what it is, but if the Great Deku Tree is attempted to help us out then this might be his way of doing it."
"Only one way to find out for certain," commented Link, running up the pathway to the room, his sword in hand. He stabbed and sliced as a few Deku Babas lashed out at him then jumped from between gaps in the platforms as he made his way to the room and went through the door. Inside was a wooden chest on the far side of the room, but as Link attempted to open it, it was sealed shut. "I can't get it to budge."
"There must be a trick to opening it," commented Navi. "Some force is trying to impede us, but if we can figure it out then we can open it."
"But what could it be?" asked Link. "There wasn't anything else here." Suddenly, Link felt a sharp pain against the back of his head as something hit him from behind.
"Haha!" laughed a Deku Shrub poking its head out of its nest. "I got the interloper. Queen Gohma will reward me for this."
"And is this Queen Gohma the cause of all this?" questioned Navi getting right in the Deku Shrub's face.
"I don't have to tell you anything," taunted the Deku Shrub hiding in his nest.
"Get out here you coward," snapped Navi pounding at the nest, but not getting any results on her own. "Link, give me a hand here." She turned to her teammate only to see him hiding behind the treasure chest whimpering. "Are you falling apart after one cheap shot?"
"But it hurts," cried Link rubbing the back of his head. "I am not a fighter no matter how hard I try. I wish Saria was here."
"You depend on her too much," snapped Navi. "You never did learn to take care of yourself, but now you are going to have to learn to fight your own battles and take care of yourself."
"I don't know if I can," sniffled Link. A few more Deku Nuts were fired at Link's direction smashing against the walls and the chest. The Deku Shrub laughed.
"If this is the best that stupid tree could send against us," he bragged. "Then Queen Gohma's plan has nothing to worry about. Just a matter of time before this entire forest belongs to us."
"The forest?" repeated Navi. "What are you going on about?"
"Uh, that's secret," muttered the Deku Shrub. "Anyway it doesn't matter. You don't stand a chance against our Queen. You are too scared to even face me."
"Hold that thought," Navi told him and returned her focus to Link. "I didn't want to say anything earlier until I was could be sure of it, but I doubt he has any reason to lie to us about taking over the forest. Do you hear me Link? Stopping this Queen Gohma is not simply about saving the Great Deku Tree, but everything and everyone in the forest. That includes Saria. If you stay here hiding she will be killed along with everyone else. Can you still just hide here and do nothing?"
"Saria," spoke Link before he wiped the tears from his eyes and started to stand only to duck back down and avoid another Deku Nut. "But how am I supposed to beat that guy?"
"Good question," admitted Navi. "If we get too close he'll just hide in his nest and at a distance he'll attack us with Deku Nuts. We don't even have anything to attack him with from a distance. As things look we cannot beat him. I'm sad to say that of all the things the Great Deku Tree taught me, combat tactics was not one of them. I'm afraid you will have to figure this one out."
"I remember one time Mido was throwing pebbles at me," recalled Link. "He beamed me on the forehead and I started to cry. That was when Saria stepped in to save me as Mido tried to throw some more rocks at me. I remember what she did." Link snickered a little as he left the safety of the treasure chest and stood out in the open in front of the Deku Shrub.
"Wait, Link," Navi called. "What did she do?"
"Hey, uh, Deku Shrub Guy," Link called out. "You are probably too gutless to try and hit a girl, like me!"
"Uh, Link?" asked Navi confused.
"It was what Saria said to Mido," Link replied.
"I didn't realize I you were one," the Deku Shrub admitted. "And I'll show you I have guts." Taking aim at Link, he shot another Deku Nut at him. As it at him, Link grabbed his shield and rammed it against the projectile, ricocheting it back to the Deku Shrub and knocking it out of its nest. As it got to its feet and shouted and had a temper tantrum. "No fair! You can't do that!"
"Just like Saria did it," stated Link. "And that was actually just what Mido did too."
"Just you wait," cried the Deku Shrub. "I'm going to get my brothers and we'll make you sorry you did this. You'll see!" Burrowing into the ground, he vanished from the room and the treasure chest opened.
"You did it, Link!" cheered Navi. "When you put your mind to it you really can be strong."
"Did he say he was going to get his brothers?" whimpered Link.
"Uh, yeah," answered Navi. "Why?"
"I just remember, before Mido ran off he said he was going to come back with his friends to get me," explained Link.
"What did you do back then?" asked Navi.
"I hid in my house until they forgot about it," admitted Link.
"Well, maybe they'll forget about it too then," grumbled Navi. "Let's just get the chest for now."
Link walked over and opened the chest then reached into it and pulled out the item inside, a slingshot that sparkled with magic. "A slingshot!" declared Link excitedly. "This will work perfectly."
"I knew the Great Deku Tree would not let us down," said Navi. "Now let's keep going."
With new weapon in hand, Link took aim at the Skulltulas around the vines and shot them off. With the way up clear, Link began to climb to the highest level in the Deku Tree.
"I'm impressed," commented Navi. "You are quite the marksman."
"I spent a lot of time playing with slingshots," said Link. "And this one is really well made. I never had one this precise or strong before."
"Well, it will definitely be useful for the rest of our job," stated Navi. "Now that we're up here what did you have in mind?"
"The way to the source of this trouble is down there," explained Link pointing to the hole sealed with webs. "The only way I can think to get through is to force my way through from up here."
"You are going to jump down from up here?" shouted Navi. "That is crazy, but admittedly very clever. I'm also a bit surprised that you would be willing to jump from all the way up here and risk injury. You could end up missing and splatting on the ground and then even if you do make it you have no idea what’s going to be down there. You have more courage than I thought."
"Courage," trembled Link, a pale, fearful expression on his face as he looked down. "Uh, do you mind giving me a push?"
"Of course," answered Navi as she shoved him off and he went plummeting downward screaming all the way. As he came in contact with the web it cushioned his landing, but the force he put on it was too great for the strands and they all broke as once and Link successfully broke through and resumed his falling and screaming before reaching the bottom with a splash into some water.
"That's a relief," sighed Navi. "I was thinking we made a big mistake, but it worked out for the best."
"Uh huh," gasped Link. "I just never want to do this ever again. So, where to now?"
"We're a lot closer to the source of the dark aura," Navi said. "I think if you follow the flow of water you'll make it there in no time."
"And then I can get this ordeal over with," sighed Link, swimming with the water.
"It is just up ahead," Navi told Link as he waded out of the water, sopping with. He took a moment to wring the water out of his tunic and pour out the water accumulated in his boots. "The dark aura is so strong here it is giving me goose bumps."
"Me too," answered Link. "And I just have to kill it and everything it has done to the Great Deku Tree will be reversed."
"That's what we are hoping for at least," said Navi. "Just keep on your guard."
"You have gone far enough," came a voice in front of them blocking their path. Poking his head out of the ground it was the Deku Shrub from earlier. "I told you I'd be back and I brought my brothers along."
"Hey there," said another one popping his head out of the ground a few yards away.
"What are we doing here again?" asked the third.
"Those are the guys who are trying to interfere with Queen Gohma so we have to stop them," he told them. "Now do just as I said and he won’t stand a chance."
"Better get your shield ready, Link," cautioned Navi. "They got us surrounded."
Holding his shield out in front of him, Link moved his eyes from one Deku Shrub to another, waiting for the first one to attack. When one did fire a Deku Nut at him, the other two fired at him too. Jumping to the side, Link avoided the attacks, but the Deku Shrubs were quick to attack again in unison.
"Try and repel our attacks when we're attack you at the same time," laughed the lead Deku Shrub.
"I guess this is what I would have happened back then," said Link as he fumbled around in every which way to avoid the attacks.
"Don't trip yourself up," called Navi flying up high to get a better view of the fight. "Quick, move to your left!" Hearing Navi's instructions, Link hurriedly moved out of the way narrowly avoiding a Deku Nut coming at his blind spot. "Good, now right. Forward a few steps. Right! Now sidestep!"
Link followed every one of Navi's instructions, not focused on the attacks coming from behind him and barely even paying attention to what he could see. "So this is what it is like to have a fairy," thought Link.
"What is with those two?" growled the lead Deku Shrub. "They are making fools out of us."
"Well this plan isn't working," said the second Deku Shrub.
"Yeah, they are able to dodge us easily when we are firing at the same time," added the third.
"Then forget the plan and keep attacking till we get her," he snapped. "Fire wildly so they won't be able to keep up with us."
"Looks like we got them quite agitated," commented Navi.
"Yeah," agreed Link smiling assuredly. "Now to deliver the finishing blow. You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Three steps back then wait for my signal," answered Navi.
Link did as he was told and stood in the spot as the three Deku Shrubs fired a barrage of Deku Nuts at him as fast as possible. Despite this, Link made no attempts to get out of the way as they came at him from every direction. His face was alight without the slightest sign of fear. In its place was a determined stare, a courageous stare.
"Duck!" Navi cried out and immediately Link dropped to the ground just in time for the Deku Nuts to miss him and smash into one another. Several of them managed to get through without colliding and instead pelted the three Deku Shrubs with friendly fire.
"They played us against one another," the lead Deku Shrub cried as they were beamed with Deku Nuts and knocked out of their nests, stunned and vulnerable.
"Now's my chance," declared Link as he got to his feet and dashed at the Deku Shrub he was facing and with one powerful swing he cut it down and watched it poof away in a purple cloud of smoke.
"Brother!" cried the second Deku Shrub as he regained his senses in time to see Link land the killing blow. "I am going to kill you!"
"I won't let you," shouted Navi flying at the Deku Shrub with all her might and bashing into its head sending them both into a daze.
"Navi," called Link, turning to see what happened.
"I refuse to lose," snapped the lead Deku Shrub. "I won't stop till I kill you both. I'll start with that pesky fairy first." Aiming at Navi, he fired a Deku Nut at her and still stunned she couldn't dodge out of the way.
On the other side of the room, strength sensation filled Link, his body moving like he was possessed. He grabbed his slingshot, armed it and pulled back the elastic till it was tight and released it without aiming. His shot smashed into the Deku Nut, shattering it before it reached Navi and left both the fairy and the Deku Shrub in shock.
"How did you do that?" cried the Deku Shrub turning to Link, but he was gone from his spot. A loud battle cry from above alerted the Deku Shrub to his location just in time to see Link perform a leaping slash through his body and sending him away in a poof of purple smoke like his brother.
"Both my brothers," stuttered the last remaining Deku Shrub. "Both of them beaten."
"Are you willing to fight to avenge them?" asked Navi. "Or are you going to tell us everything about Queen Gohma in the hope that we decide to spare you?"
"I, uh, well," he whimpered.
"That's enough Navi," Link told her. "He doesn't have the will to fight us anymore and you told me before that we should avoid fights that weren't necessary. Besides, imagine if you were a Deku Shrub."
"You do have a point," admitted Navi. "And you did just save me so I do owe you at least that much. That was quite an amazing feat you pulled off. Are you still the big crybaby from earlier?"
"I'm just as surprised by that as you are," admitted Link letting out a laugh that Navi couldn't help join in on.
"Um, so I can just go?" asked the Deku Shrub.
"You still here?" asked Navi. "If you don't want to fight us, you better get lost."
"Well, not like it matters or anything, but if Queen Gohma didn't show up then my brothers wouldn't have been killed," he told them. "She just showed up and started preparing this big invasion of the forest. If we didn't choose to protect her while she got ready then we would not be spared her wrath. My brothers and I agreed to help, but I was never certain if we could trust her and right now I couldn't care less."
"So you are going to tell us what she is up to?" asked Navi.
"Unfortunately, I have no idea what that is," he admitted. "The only order we were given was to make sure nobody got beyond here."
"So, then you don't have anything useful we can use?" questioned Navi.
"I did hear something regarding Queen Gohma's weak point," he continued. "Her body is hard as a rock. Even her eye is protected from harm except for when she is preparing to attack. Then it turned bright red. If she is hit in the eye at that moment then she will become vulnerable."
"That's great news," stated Link. "Navi, we know her weakness now. We shouldn’t have any trouble with her now."
"Don't start getting too overconfident," Navi retorted. "The difference between her power and everything else is like comparing a mountain with a hill."
"I'm actually feeling brave right now," commented Link, his legs quivering. "Now might not be a good time of reminding me just how bad a foe we are about to face."
"Just get going," Navi groaned, pushing Link’s back to force him to move forward. The Deku Shrub watched them vanish into the next room then burrowed his way out.
Link and Navi entered the new room and immediately, a foul smell attacked them. Link covered his mouth and nose as he proceeded in and looked around, a strange greenish liquid dripping from the ceiling. Looking up, Link nearly gagged at the sight of something enormous covering ceiling and moving around, very much alive. "What the hell is that?" cried Link.
