Part 2: Deepwood Shrine

Helllllp!!! Help meeee!!!

Ouch! Won't somebody stop them!?

Ow! Ow! Help... Somebody! Can't anybody hear me?

OUCH!!!

Hey! Kid! You there!

Ow!

Hey! Don't just stand there! Do something!!!

Ow!

What's wrong with you!? Do you like watching me take this abuse!? Help me!

Phew! Well done! That was close. Not that I couldn't handle them myself. But that's beside the point!  What in the world is a lone child doing so deep in the woods?

Ho ho! I see.

The...Picori, you say? And Vaati?

Vaati's cursed someone? What? The sacred blade?!?

Is that so? I see, I see... You know, you and I have quite a lot in common. You see, I, too, am on a quest to break a curse of Vaati's. And you say that reforging the sacred blade can break his curse, eh? Well, then you have found yourself a companion, my boy! My name is Ezlo. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Wait! Wait, I say!  You walk so quickly! Too quickly, in fact! Can't you go any slower? Surely you've noticed that I have no legs...

Boy! Take a good look at me! Do you really think I can walk that fast!?

Augh!  If it isn't one thing, it's another! You are a troublesome boy!

There! Now, you can't possibly leave me behind. My... It's quite comfortable up here. More comfortable than it looks, surely. And much easier on me!  Hey! Quit your squirming! Can't you sit still? See! There... Yes, yes! That's it. Much better.  Now, I suppose a boy like you still has much to learn about the world. If ever you need my insight, press SELECT. I'll be happy to help! Ah, such a hopeless child...

Hey! Where are you going? You heartless brat! Help me!!!

What are you doing? Aren't you going to finish them off?

...What? Is there something on my face? Quit staring! It's rude!

Oh, Link. You're heading for Minish Woods now, aren't you? Leave the monsters that Vaati freed to us, and go find the Picori!

Minish Woods lie far to the south from here. If you get lost, check your map.

Hey, kid! Where are you going!? That's the way we just came from!

There should be some Minish living here in this forest. Eh? Who are the Minish? Ah, yes, how silly of me! You humans call them "Picori," but they refer to themselves as the Minish! Strange how, in the world of humans, only this forest has kept the name... Anyhow, deep in the forest they built a tiny village, where many now live. But if we're to enter the village, we'll have to make you a touch smaller first. Look for a tree stump. Then, I can shrink you to the size of the "Picori."

Hold on for a moment, my boy! We've stumbled across something important! The world of the Minish is very small. You're far too big to meet them now. Eh? Who are the Minish? Ah, yes! Silly me! Allow me to explain... You humans call them "Picori," but they refer to themselves as the Minish! Strange how, in the world of humans, only this forest has kept that name... Anyhow, deep in the forest they built a tiny village, where many now live. But if we're to enter the village, we'll have to make you a touch smaller first. Look at that. At first glance, it appears to be a mere stump, yes? No! That stump is a portal used by people long ago to adjust their size! With my help, you can use it to shrink down to Minish size. Just stand on the stump and press R to shrink. To return to normal, stand next to the stump and press R. Get me up there, and we'll give it a try.

Welcome to the world through the eyes of the Minish! Now, aren't you glad you saved me? No need to thank me, though! Portals that reduce your size are all around, in different shapes and sizes. If you want to return to normal, stand next to a portal and press R. But there is one thing you must know: being Minish-sized is full of dangers! Mere puddles at your normal size are bottomless swamps to the Minish. And as your companion, if anything bad happens to you, it happens to me, too! So proceed with caution, my lad! If not for your sake, then for my own!

Hmmm... It appears we have found the Minish village.

Pico picori!

Ripi ripico picori!

Picoco pico ripico!

I gather it's been quite some time since they last saw a human. ...What's that? You didn't understand what they were saying just now? Ah, yes. That was the language of the Minish. It's a little different from the dialect I am most familiar with. I'm afraid I didn't catch most of what they said myself. But perhaps there is someone here who understands your language. We should look around.

Fortunately, the Earth Element is in the shrine at the far end of the village. A horde of beasts lives in that shrine, though, so enter with caution.

Oh! You speak our language!  It's been quite a while since we've heard outsiders speak our tongue! We have little to offer you in these woods, but please, enjoy your stay.

Thank you for your offer, but we have no time to relax. My name is Ezlo. This child is Link.  We need to break a curse that has been cast on the princess of Hyrule. To do so, we'll need to reforge the broken Picori Blade.

Ah, yes. And you've come here now hoping to have the blade reforged? Hm... Well, if that's what you're after, you'll need four mystic elements. These elements are the crystalline forms of the energies of this world. Only by infusing the blade with these energies can a new blade be forged. Here, give me your map. I can mark where these elements can be found.

The Earth Element can be found in the shrine to the north of Festari's abbey. Speak with Festari. He will show you the path to the shrine's entrance. Go with caution. Evil creatures have lately made their home in our shrine. Return to me at once after you have found the Earth Element.

So! You have found the Earth Element!  You are blessed with much courage and strength for one so young. If your conviction holds strong, head to Mount Crenel. There, you will find a man named Melari.  Among all the Minish, there is no one more able to repair your sword. If you ask him, I am certain he will reforge your broken Picori Blade. I shall send word to him in advance.  Travel safely. You are brave, but there are many evils now in the world.

Leave through this door here. It will take you out of the forest quickly.

Great elder, we are in your debt.  We shall head for Mount Crenel at once!

Hm... I've never seen an outfit like that before. Are you a...human? Oh, my! It's been quite some time since any humans came here. My name is Festari. I watch the abbey, as well as the shrine to the north. You...seem to be having some trouble with our language, don't you? You could use a Jabber Nut. It will allow you to understand our tongue. You should be able to find one in the barrel house just south of here.

You wish to go to the shrine? Very well. This way...

Vile beasts have settled in recently. Be careful: it is quite dangerous.

You retrieved the Earth Element from that fiend-infested shrine? Incredible!  Humans are amazing creatures. The elder is sure to be amazed, too.

So you're on a quest to restore the sacred blade so you can save the princess? Yeah, I'm sure you'll manage...

So you've eaten the Jabber Nut, and now you can understand us? ...

Sorry, but I know little about swords. I'm sure the elder can help you.

Oh, Link.  This must be the Jabber Nut Festari told you about. Well, you'd better eat it if you plan on making any progress at all.

Pico riki poko ti po!

So you've eaten the Jabber Nut and now you can understand us... The elder said that humans can no longer see us as they once could. It's amazing that you can see us.

This is where we cultivate Pico Blooms.  The Picolyte sold in the human town is made from the nectar of our plants. We sneak into town at night and leave it there for the humans to find.

South of here, there's a house shaped like a barrel. Inside, you will find a Jabber Nut.  If you eat this Jabber Nut, you will be able to understand the Minish tongue.

So this would be the Deepwood Shrine the Minish elder spoke of... He...said something about there being monsters inside, didn't he? He-Hey now! No reason to be afraid or anything... I'll be waiting right here. No, wait! What am I saying!? I'm not letting you leave me alone out here!

Ah, we've got the Earth Element! You must go tell the elder at once!