A Race to Remember

This is a first-person narrative from my perspective of Link in “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.” At the outset of the game, the Skull Kid ambushes Link, steals his ocarina, and rides away on Epona. When Link catches up to him, the Skull Kid casts a spell on Link that turns him into a wooden Deku Scrub. This story in no way reflects the opinion of my employer.

No! Epona! That kid took my horse!

I can’t keep up with him like this. My legs feel stiff. 

I need to move faster, but I can't...

I-I’m flying?

What happened to me?

I won’t give up. Not after how far I came to find my friend…

As I chased after the masked child, I stumbled upon a twisted tree standing alone among the barren landscape. The grooves in the bark formed a sad expression. I should hurry and catch that kid, but something felt wrong. I’m no stranger to human-like trees, but why was this one here? I don’t know what to do… I’ll try to come back.

…

The Deku King's butler was kind to me. I’m not sure why, but I felt comfortable in his presence. It’s as if I knew him long before my journey to help the Southern Swamp. After the princess and I returned from the temple, he invited me to a nearby shrine. I jumped from rock-to-rock effortlessly as if I had crossed the path many times in my life. At the entrance, I gazed back at the clear water. The swamp was poisoned by a curse; now, the reflection was so pure the surrounding paintings danced on the surface. I looked closer and a face appeared in the water. Eyes burning as bright as Din's Fire. A grin that screamed without making a sound. I looked up at the moon, and felt my heart grow heavy.

I saw a light flickering in the distance as I entered the shaded hall. Walking towards the light, I wondered why the butler wanted to meet in this murky place. Clutching an umbrella and a candle, he thanked me for joining him. With a quick snap he opened his umbrella, urged me to follow, and dashed into the darkness.

I struggled to keep up with him since the path was confusing. My feet moved faster as I heard doors slam shut seconds after I passed. I sprinted down a long hallway, only to be stopped by a dead end painted with a snarky expression. A Mad Scrub offered nothing but a blank stare as I reoriented myself. What sort of shrine is this? I heard the crackling of the butler’s candle to my left, and sprinted in its direction. 

I found myself into a giant room as walls of bright, orange flames ignited around me. The sparks scorched the hair on my skin as warning. I jumped across sawed-off treetops, barely clearing each gap as I caught a glimpse of the endless chasm. Navigating the misty chambers became more difficult when the smell of rotting flowers engulfed my nose. If there was ever a time to lose my sense of smell, this was it. I continued to chase the fading light, and met him at the end.

I couldn’t believe how fast the butler was—and by means of umbrella! He congratulated me for keeping up as he handed a gift to me. The butler said it was a tradition for him to race his son in this shrine. However, his son left home recently and never returned. Racing with me reminded him of times gone by. He asked my forgiveness for the abrupt race. I shrugged it off and smiled.

I started my journey back to Clock Town with gift in hand. A pig-faced mask with the ability to detect unique scents will hopefully come in handy. Who would want that kind of power?

Exhausted from the race still, I sat down to look at the stars above the horizon. The moon stared back at me, and I closed my eyes. There would be no peace until this horror was removed from the sky. How many days…hours do we have?

I wonder what the butler will do now. If I see his son during my travels, I’ll let him know his dad is waiting for him.