The Legend of Zelda- Ocarina of Time

The Pheonix

Chapter 42

The Phoenix

The Spirit Temple's entrance opened up into a cavernous hall that could have easily accommodated an entire troupe of Gorons. Marble pillars rose like tall trees, reaching up towards the elaborately carved mural that stretched across the ceiling. Along the walls, the old Gerudo kings stood tall and proud, donned in battle dress, their swords clasped in hand. The intricate appearances of many of these kings bore an eerie resemblance to Ganondorf. Link was almost certain they were watching him, but a quick glance assured him they were not the constructs of some malevolent sorcerer.

Just statues, Link told himself, his thoughts straying to the Beamos outside.

Behind the ancient kings, the walls stretched toward a tall ceiling decorated with floral motifs and enormous birds. Along the walls, murals depicted scenes of battle or the presentation of offerings. One of the offering scenes showed a priest standing over a bound prisoner, a ceremonial knife raised to the man's throat. It was far from a welcoming sight.

Before he could examine the walls or statues further, Sheik noticed something. Link saw the consternation on her face before she asked, "Why are those braziers lit?"

"It's probably just an enchantment," Navi offered, eyeing the braziers that lined the central aisle.

Link couldn't help but feel an icy trickle of dread run down his spine. After so many unpleasant experiences encountering things lurking around corners and hiding in the shadows, he was sure he was getting paranoid. But no. It wasn't paranoia. Something was watching them. He glanced at the statues again, reassured to see they were not looking directly at him.

"Don't touch anything," Sheik warned him. "I would rather not trigger any unpleasant surprises. There is an ancient magic running through this temple, and it may not take kindly to our presence."

Link nodded but said nothing. Navi was not so eager to remain quiet.

"You mean this temple is alive?" she asked incredulously. Link gave her a pointed look, hoping she'd get the idea and be quiet so as not to put any unpleasant ideas in his head.

"In a manner of speaking, yes," Sheik answered. "It is alive. The ancient shrines of the First Sages were all like that, or so some texts claim. The Sage of Water was rumoured to have made his shrine almost impossible to enter, let alone traverse, even for a Zora."

"Well, that's just great," Navi said, her voice rich with false cheer. "Of all the places I wanted to visit in Hyrule, a temple that may or may not want to kill you is not one of them."

"Navi," Link said, feeling irritated. "You're not helping."

"Sorry," she said quickly.

Link paused before an enormous statue at the far end of the hall. It rose toward the ceiling, its large almond-shaped eyes commanding his attention. Fortunately, there was nothing to indicate it was alive and ready to pronounce judgment upon the three intruders.

Pakhet, Link thought.

The Goddess of War sat upon a throne of cold stone carved with numerous glyphs. Cobras stretched along the armrests of her throne, their heads raised and fangs bared. She was dressed in Gerudo garb, including an intricate golden neckpiece resembling an ornate collar beset with precious stones. The metalwork that formed the centrepiece of the collar resembled the stretched wings of a vulture.

Link's skin prickled as the unnerving sense that he was being watched intensified. Then, he heard a deep rumble.

He spun around in alarm, his heart leaping in fear that it was an earthquake. Only the ground didn't shudder, and it sounded distinctly like stone scraping against stone. He realised with a sudden start that the door leading back to the outside world was getting narrower.