The Hero of Shadow
Chapter 1: Hero
A dark cloud rises at the hill's horizon. Below it lays an unprotected town. Castle walls are all that remain of its defenses, its soldiers having long abandoned their post. The gate is open, as if to welcome the invasion with open arms.
"Destroy Hyrule. Kill the Sages," the cloud's shadow commands quietly. There is no reason to raise his voice; his word is absolute.
The cloud descends the hill. Not with the grace of the heavens, but with the clamor of hell. Snapping bones, clicking claws, inhuman laughter. It is an army of monsters. There are the Stalfos, the bone warriors who serve there master even in death, the Wolfos, the mercilessly warped wolves who crave human flesh, and the flaming skulls with chatter with laughter. They cascade down the hill like an ill waterfall, rushing against the deserted town.
A single pair of boots creak against the lowered bridge. The lone figure walks calmly across, stopping at the bridge's end. He lifts his head towards the oncoming mass, and waits. He unsheathes the silver blade across his back, the symbol of the Triforce engraved near the blade's hilt. One man stands against the hoard; a single obstacle between the army and Hyrule.
But the army falters. Some within its ranks recognize this green-clad warrior. "He'sss gone," an armor-clad undead insists. "Disssappeared, forever. It'ssss fake. A Ssssage trick." Some do not believe its words. Some are encouraged. But absolutely none dare to turn their back, where their commander awaits. Proceeding forward is uncertain. But proceeding back is certain death.
Two bold Wolfos run ahead of the pack, desiring the first kill above the safety in numbers. The warrior remains steady, merely watching their movement. The two split off, one on each of his sides. As soon as his head turns to follow the one, the other leaps at his back. The monster's speed is inhuman; a single one enough to fell a normal grown man.
But before the monster can even finish barring its claws, the sword cuts through the air. Faster than lightning, the sword was never seen by the monster. It is sliced cleanly in half; dead before it hits the ground.
The other Wolfos has yet to realize its partner is dead. All it knows is that this man turned his back. Opportunity knocks before danger. It lunges with bestial speed,
only to be cut with divine speed. The human was never open at all. The sword slices through fur and bones like thin air.
He doesn't even blink. No need to check his work. The human's attention is already back to the army. Their mad dash has placed them mere feet away. "Hero of Tiiiime!" They wail in mixed fear and hatred.
And then they are upon him.
A Stalfos runs at him with unbridled hate. It raises its sword to slash,
but it falls without power as its owner collapses. The Hero's own blade retracts from its body. His boot grinds against the wood as he sharply turns on his heel. In the time that it took him to fell one monster, the others have already partially surrounded at him.
It's like they're moving in slow motion. Before they can even finish preparing for the attack, they are dead. Bones shatter like glass, fur cut like grass. Three, five, eight more die at his hand without even coming close to touching him. The wind following his blade can be felt longer than his sword can be seen.
One bright Wolfos gets an idea: ignore the hero altogether. It abandons its companions to fighting the gods' champion. Its orders are not to fell this Hero of Time. The only goal is to take Hyrule.
Its paws pitter-patter against the wood, running toward its easier prey of Hyrule. Something sharp slams itself into the back of its neck. It chokes, pain and blood overwhelming its senses. The Wolfos crashes into the ground, its nose right before the entrance of Hyrule. With all of its might, it rolls its head against the ground, seeking to view the Hero one last time.
The Wolfos never saw the arrow fly. Just the hero putting the bow on his back, Master Sword already banishing more monsters.
They're frustrated and tired of this. They can't bring him down, and they can't enter the town. Their numbers are thinning with alarming speed. An army of ants cannot hope to topple a mountain. Aggression bubbles not only against the one in their way, but against the one who ordered such a ridiculous command. How could they possibly hope to overthrow the Hero of Time?
That's when their general realizes: his army will abandon him soon. He pushes himself through the thin remnants of his army. Each heavy step shakes the earth. And he stops a few feet from the Hero.
He stops too. Maybe out of respect for the new foe that has come to fight him. Or maybe because the army's onslaught halts abruptly at this new foe's appearance.
It has a human outline, but it's anything but human. The general is clad in pure iron armor, yet no flesh lays under it. Its iron-clad gloves tighten firmly against its ax. The locals call it: 'Iron Knuckle.' A step above the normal rank and file monsters.
The two stare at each other intently. Both sizing the other one up. The general makes the first move.
It swings its ax with surprising speed; as if it weighs nothing. The large sweep makes it difficult to evade. The Hero steps back just in time, as the ax's edge barely misses his chest. But his footing is unsure. Perhaps he dodged the first blow purely out of instinct. His leg teeters unexpectedly at his body's forced movement. At the last possible moment, he regains his balance, and stops himself from falling.
The army is going crazy. Their screams and cheers are deafening, as they urge their leader on, and screech death upon their hated enemy. It's the first time they've seen the Hero falter. And just like that, their earlier trepidation vanishes.
A Stalfos picks up a rock, hurling it boldly against their lone enemy. It smacks the hero on his forehead, a mere centimeter above his eyebrow. Any lower, and it might have been his eye. It's not like there's any rules. They're monsters. Just because the two's eyes met doesn't mean it's a one-on-one duel to the death. But at the same time, they want to see what will happen. They want to know if their leader is strong enough to defeat this menace. So they'll wait and see. See what happens, with only minimal intervention on their part.
Other Stalfos like their companion's idea. They begin picking up rocks, hurling them haphazardly at the Hero. The Hero ignores them, remaining unflinching beneath the rocks, despite the large red marks they were leaving. He ignores them because he knows his opponent will ignore it too.
The general raises its ax again, sweeping in the reverse direction as last time. The Hero is ready this time. He dodges it properly this time. He is more than ready; he uses it as an opportunity to strike against his armored foe.
He raises his sword, bringing it crashing down against the general. The sword swooshes loudly in the air...
A metal twang resounds. The Master Sword bounces harmlessly off the general. The same sword that had cut through bones and fur without pause. Iron by itself would have been no match for the blade, but it cannot penetrate the magical bindings of its armor. The general smirks. Although it cannot be seen, it can be felt.
The monsters continue to cheer, picking up more rocks from the riverbed. The Hero remains unfazed, leaping back from the iron titan. Left, then right; it swings its ax like a toy. The Hero is doing a good job of evading the blows, but that is all. A single blow will mean certain death for a human. The undead cannot tire as mortals do. It is only a matter of time before the Hero slips and falls prey to one of the general's attacks.
It decides to try something new. Instead of slashing sideways, where the Hero always ducks just barely out of range, it swings vertically. The range is extended, deadly ax given an extra inch – but only for a moment. The Hero tucks his body into a tight roll, dodging the blow with only a second to spare. The ax slams into the ground, destroying the earth and chunks of rock, causing the earth to tremble. But the Hero is unscathed.
The general moves to lift its ax, but its hand catches. There was too much power beneath his last strike. Now the ax is halfway buried in the ground, claimed momentarily by the earth out of revenge for its scar.
The Hero runs in for an attack. Even if the general had realized it was coming, it would not have cared. Its armor is impervious to the Master Sword's sting.
The air is cut momentarily, the Hero's blade thrusting against his foe. But its aim is not at the armor, but at the seam between its shoulder and arm. A place where in its lifetime, the Iron Knuckle's armor did not cover, so as to allow full movement of its arm.
There is no flesh for the blade to cut. But the magical enchantment of the Master Sword rips through the invisibly held sinews, cutting apart the spell which binds it to the armor.
It screams. Its shriek is unearthly, cutting the air as fiercely as a knife, causing all the monsters to silence abruptly and cover their ears. The great iron arm collapses into the ground, separated from its owner, laying claim to the ax and the earth which holds it. Still it keeps screaming. It can't stop. Before it can recognize anything except the pain, the sword lifts again.
The Hero slams it into the newly-opened hole where its arm whence was. The blade pushes past an invisible barrier, tearing through what sounds like clothe. Eventually the blade hits center, and at last the general's scream stops. Its movements halt completely. Before the iron collapses on itself, he withdraws his blade quickly.
The metal crashes down in a race to reach the ground first. It's a jumbled mess. There's no body inside to give it form anymore. It's just a pile of unmoving metal now.
The monsters are quiet. But only for a second. Then they start screeching, too. They scream, turn, and scatter like leaves in the wind. They don't care what kind of punishment awaits their failure. If they stay here, they'll definitely die...!
The Hero stands firm. He doesn't bother to pursue the fleeing monsters. His job was to protect Hyrule, and he has succeeded. He watches his foes flee without direction, disappearing back into the hills where they came. When the last one is safely out of his sight, he sheathes his blade, walking across the bridge to the town.
Hyrule is as quiet as a ghost town. All the houses are closed tightly, doors locked with curtains tightly drawn. The fountain's trickle drones with a lonesome hum. He feels their eyes through the windows' glass; hears the curtains being drawn ever so subtly. And a gasp. One of the doors opens.
"Link!" A girl exclaims. She is about the same age as him, clothed in a humble farm girl's dress.
The other villagers begin to open their curtains a little more boldly. More exclamations follow. Soon all the barred doors have opened, Hyrule citizens pouring out into the open. Some are crying, others are talking too fast for him to understand. They're asking him questions, but he can't make sense of all their words.
The girl who approached earlier is more bold. When their eyes meet, her eyes tell them that they have met before. She smiles at him faintly; knowingly. It's not that he recognizes her. But he can see she expects him to know who she is. So he smiles back, albeit uncertainly.
"Ganon's monsters were coming here to attack," she insists. "But you're here instead of them. You took care of them, didn't you?"
He nods. It's true.
More exclamations follow from the villagers. They cheer and laugh, cry and hug each other. Some begin patting him on the back, others taking his hand and thanking him vigorously. He watches them quietly, unsure if he should be sharing their joy and relief. Laughter and joy reverberates through the town. Somehow a cuckoo has escaped its pen, and one of the children runs after it desperately.
The girl stands by him quietly, waiting for the villagers to leave Link long enough for him to talk together. When they're finally distracted for a moment, she takes his arm and leads him to a quieter part of town. "Link..." She frowns, and he doesn't know why. "I'm glad you're back, but where were you?" Her voice is a mere whisper. "We really needed you, but it was like you disappeared."
He stops to look into her eyes. They are shimmering with tears. Not sadness, but fear. Her worry for him. He doesn't know if he should apologize. So he decides to tell her the truth.
"I don't know."
She doesn't like that answer. She's about to tell him so, when someone hails her by name.
"Malon! Where are ya, lass?"
"J-just a moment!" She turns to call back. "Please! I'll not be long!"
He sees his chance, and he takes it. As soon as her back is turned, he slips into one of the alleys. He is unable to answer any of her future questions. His memories of everything, even himself, are too jumbled for him to make out. He remembers the colors and sensations of his past rather than the past itself.
Without the Sages' instruction, he would have been able to save Hyrule in time. At first he had been hesitant; it is difficult to simply trust their words without the memories to back them up. Even harder to believe that he is a Hero among men, the only one capable of banishing the dark lord Ganon.
But as soon as the Master Sword came in his hands, he thought he remembered its feel. While facing the monsters prior, each stroke had come naturally. He had fought off an entire army by himself, with minimal damage. His mind told him it was impossible, but it had already happened. What other choice did he have but to trust the Sages' words now? They were waiting to hear his report and give further orders. He prefers that to the unknown girl who knew him, when he does not know himself.
Link steps into the Temple of Time, the dark stone welcoming him solemnly. This place makes him feel at peace. The inside is completely quiet, save his footsteps. He passes numerous engravings of the Triforce, proceeding to its innermost chamber. A lonely slab of stone stands empty, just a small hole where the Master Sword once rested.
He kneels here, closing his eyes, hands cupped in prayer. His mind leaves his body, and his spirit ascends. When he next opens his eyes, he is in another chamber. The outskirts are surrounded by complete darkness, but his feet stand upon an island of light. Around him, all around him, are the Seven Sages of the world. Rauru of the Hylians, Saria of the Kokiri, Darunia of the Gorons, Ruto of the Zoras, Impa of the Sheikahs, Nabooru of the Gerudo: each one to represent their race and country. And of course, leading this group is the Princess Zelda, the princess of Hyrule itself. His eyes inevitably meet hers first.
They are all gathered here in spiritual essence, just as Link left his body to transcend here. Their eyes do not view him as the girl Malon did. They are reserved; calculated. The calm demeanor one would use with a co-worker or subordinate.
"You've returned successful," Rauru notes. Link's return in itself can only mean he won. It is not meant as praise: the elder merely states the fact to ensure that the other Sages are aware.
But Link's eyes remain fixed on Zelda's. He thinks he sees something beneath them, something different than how the other Sages watch him. A different gleam which seems to be trying to speak to him, one he cannot place, but he knows means something.
"Then Ganon will think twice before making such a bold move on Hyrule again," Impa says. The dark lord had attacked Hyrule when he thought it was easy prey.
"It's only a matter of time," Rauru disagrees with the other's assessment. "We need more help. It's time to put our own plans into action."
"Will you help us?" Zelda speaks for the first time, her eyes never having left Link since his entrance. The words are simple. But they remind the others that he has a choice to make... something Rauru seems to have forgotten.
"Tell me what needs to be done," Link answers without hesitation. He doesn't need memories to know that this is his purpose.
Rauru frowns a little beneath his white beard. The interruption was quick, but it put him off track. "There is another hero who can help end this war," he continues. "But he has fallen captive to Ganon. You will infiltrate the Palace of Winds, save him, and return here."
"But you will not do this alone," Zelda encourages. "You will be accompanied by another: the warrior Sheik. Sheik will lead you to the entrance, and aid your journey back."
Link nods. He understands. Sheik will be his guide, but the hardest part of this mission will fall inevitably to him.
"Prepare as you will today, then meet Sheik the next morning at Hyrule's gates," Rauru says solemnly. "We will await your return and good news." His image fades, as Rauru's spiritual connection ends. It is time for him to return to the physical world.
"Good luck!" Saria smiles cheerfully at him. Her image wavers for a moment too, before fading out.
"We're counting on you. The other hero is a good friend of ours," Ruto encourages. Then she, too, takes her leave.
"It will be a difficult task, perhaps one against your nature. But I doubt anyone else could accomplish it," Darunia frowns. Link doesn't know what he means by this, but the Goron is gone too soon for him to question his words.
"We're watching you," Impa stares at him, and he indeed feels watched.
"So don't get any funny ideas while you're on this mission," Nabooru adds. The two women are critical toward his every move. They both disappear almost simultaneously.
He is unsure whether or not just how friendly the Sages are with him. Perhaps something happened in the past, something he cannot remember. There is still one Sage remaining: the Princess, Zelda. She seems serious, the previous light in her eyes having disappeared.
"Sheik is someone you can depend on," Zelda says, and he senses an urgency beneath her words. "Don't be afraid to rely on him." She waits for a moment, but he has no answer for her. She too, vanishes, leaving Link alone.
He opens his eyes, his mind returning to his body. He is in the Temple of Time, near the stand of the Master Sword, exactly where he had left off praying. Quietly he raises to his feet. He has few preparations to make, and a lonely night ahead of him. Rather than stay at the celebrating town, he plans to rest at this Temple. It is a quiet place, and one he feels more at home here.
Link's thoughts inevitably turn towards the mission tomorrow. Who is this hero, that the Sages are so desperate to save? Will they be able to stop Ganon's war? Can he infiltrate the Palace successfully? And what will happen after...?
He has no choice but to wait for whatever fate has in store for him...
