Dinnilidia

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The wounded party continued their trek deeper into the forbidding swamp, hoping that they didn't encounter any more enemies like the two encounters they already faced. After the last enemy, Bargo had broken ribs and Liara nursed a broken arm. Shadow was still feeling the effects of his encounter with the corrosive poison that made up the blood of the Banshees and Mido was starting to feel the toll of the little rest that they had since they entered this place.

Shadow turned to Mido and said, “Perhaps we should take a break. I know that time is short, but if we run into anything else, we won't stand a chance.” Mido snapped, “I know that! But your friends aren't going to last very long if we don't get that remedy soon!” Shadow gave him a sharp stare and the warrior sighed. “Sorry, Link. I just never faced a situation like the one we're in. I don't know what to do from here.”

Shadow let out a slight smile and said, “If my friends were here, they'd probably say something like, 'then I guess we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get there'.” Mido let out a chuckle at the lighthearted sarcasm in his voice. “I never took you for one to look on the bright side since the incident.”
“It's contagious.” the dark elf said with a slight chuckle. “I guess they might have a point in this case. We don't know what's going to happen when we get to our destination until we get there, so we just have to take things one step at a time.”

Mido sighed. “I still think we're in over our heads.” Nodding, shadow replied, “Most likely, but we have to try. Two world are depending on me and my friends, so I have to do something.” A screaming sound came from behind them, saying, “Shadow! SHADOW!!!!!” Turning around, he yelled, “Flint? Is that you?” The purple fairy came into view and crashed into the back of Mido's head. They both muttered, “Owwwww...” Bending over, he said, “Flint. What's wrong?”

The fairy yelled, “There's a fire in the village! Everyone's in a panic!” Mido turned to her and yelled, 'A fire? How?” In a flurry, Flint yelled, “One of the houses was hit by lightning! Everyone's trying to put it out, but we need more people!” Shadow turned to his ally and said, “Mido, take Bargo and Liara to the village and battle the fire.”
“What about you?” Mido asked in panic. Shadow smiled. “I'll cross that bridge when I get there. You go and help the village, I'll help my friends.” Mido nodded and his three companions split company.

As they vanished into the fog, the dark elf muttered, “I sure hope I know what I'm...” He drew his sword and yelled, “I know you're there! Show yourself!” A strange, dazzling beautiful dark skinned female with hair as red as the warmest fire stepped into view. There was something about her that seemed... Inhuman. He wanted to keep his guard up, to be ready to strike this female at the first sign of foul play, but instead, he gave into the instinct of lowering his weapon.

The female looked at him and said in the most beautiful of voices, “Are you the one named Shadow, who received the blessing of the goddess Din?” Raising his blade, he said, “How do you know about that? I've never seen you before and you know more than I care to like already.” The female smiled. “I have many names where I'm from, but for now, you can call me Dinnalidia.” Shadow stood there and said, “That's a rather unusual name. Now, what do you want?”

The majestic female said, “You have the blessing of the goddess Din, but not the ability to use it... yet. You need to prove yourself to the goddess before she can fully trust you with her blessing. The Dragons already have a favoring to you, as well as your friends, but the Golden Goddesses need proof of your resolve.” The dark elf looked at her skeptically. “And you're going to give me the chance to prove myself, right?” Laughing, the female did a graceful twirl and faded.

Then from behind him, she said, “Every action and choice you make affect the Goddess Din's opinion of you, and the same will hold true for Nayru and Farore... Once they grant you their blessing, they will test you and your decisions will determine whether you can use their gift or not.” Shadow looked at her confused. Smiling, she said, “She allowed you to use her power once, as a test. You used the gift wisely to save your friends. But will you use it for the good of both worlds? That, she needs to learn for herself.

Looking at the strange dancer, he decided that she posed no danger other than knowing too much about himself. He looked at her and said, “Tell me what I have to do to gain her blessing. I'll do it.” The female faded again. A tender giggle came from his right and he turned to face her. “All you have to do is make the right choices. A person does what they can, but a hero does what he must. Each choice you make affects the countless outcomes of countless instances of countless choices. One choice affects as well as determines the next. The question is will you grasp the light, or be consumed by your darkest, personal demons?”

Knowing full well that she was talking about the Sheik and Saria from his world, he said, “The choices I make now will never change who I am or what happened in my past.” With a melodic laugh, she said, “No, but they will forever alter your future and who you COULD be. THAT is the choices that the Goddesses will be looking for you to answer.” Sighing, he continued through the forest, saying, “Then I choose to get back to my goal. I have a job to do and people who depend on me to do it.”

Giggling, the female said, “Sounds like fun. Perhaps I'll follow to see where your choices will take you.” Shadow mumbled in frustration, “At the moment, Hopefully it'll be as far away from you as possible...” The female laughed and said, “You act like you are cold as steel and heart of stone. I know that is the farthest thing from the truth.”
“Really, Dinna..linna..ramma-llama whatever your name is...” he snapped. “My friends lives are depending on me killing the Death Wraith in the center of this swamp, and I can't have you distracting me!!!”

Dinnalidia smiled. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. I just wish to see where your choices lead you.” Groaning, he trampled on ahead and out of the fog with the lady in close pursuit. Remembering what Mido said about these kinds of breaks, he muttered, “Oh, crap.” Looking straight up, he saw a giant crimson spider scuttling overhead on a web. With a loud groan, he whined, “Why did it have to be a Spider?”