The Realm of Hylia
(Book One of Two)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda. Therefore, the names/events including, but not limited to; Link, Lord Dagianis, Demise, Hylia, The Kingdom of Hylia, the Loftwing, Orville, parts of the dialog, and/or any character that look like the ones in the manga are not mine, they belong to the creators of the Legend of Zelda.
Chapter One
That's Why I'm Here
It had been ages since I felt the warm sun upon my very skin, smelled the sweet scent of the land, and be comforted by the dearest company that only a friend could provide. Those feelings that I once had, seemed to be just dim memories of happier days, for the only company that I have to look forward now was the cold, blood stained stone wall that my back rested on, and the soft rattle of chains that sounded every time I made a move. My name, as you could well guess, is Link, Link of Hylia…., and I am know as the man that was put to waste. I came to be widely known for my heroic abilities, saving the soldiers of Hylia countless of times, but yet they just threw me away, locked me up per se. I should be here filled with hate for those that put me away, I mean a normal man would, but I am not normal, no I do not feel angry not at all. If anything I'm not sure what to feel, but I do know that the day I was put here is the day that still haunts me even though it's years later. That day, the day that Lord Dagianis, the feared ruler of Hylia, stored we away to never be seen again.
It was the break of dawn, I was located not far from the heart of Castle Town sleeping in a building that I called home. This house belonged to Orville and Sayuri, he was and in my heart he still is close friend of mine from days of youth. I had awoken from a most fearsome nightmare indeed, a dream that consisted of dark evil clouds billowing over the land I love so much. Yes, I remember at the heart of these clouds arose a creature. This creature gave himself the title of Demise, the Demon King, and upon those very words demons, too many to count, sprung from the clouds, striking much fear from me for they were heading my way. I awoke knowing that this will happen, for since I could remember I had the ability to receive small glimpse of the future in my dreams.
I told this dream to no one, not even my fellow comrade Orville or his girlfriend Sayuri, instead I rushed into the heart of town, my green tunic, white tights, and hand-crafted sword that I had strapped to my back were the only things shielding me from the cold summer morning. Seems odd to just have those two things, yes, but you see, the clothing was my father's, being the only thing I have left to remember him by I also sept in them, too tiered to change, and ever since my release from being 'used' by Hylia's army, I never went without my sword. Those are, stories for another time though.
I ran through the Castle Town screaming at the top of my very lungs of Demise's impending arrival, my true destination being none other then the Castle itself. I remember turning the corner, just a block from the Castle, there stood two rather large elder guards stoping me dead in my tracks. They wore very little protective gear, just gold plated chest guards, white long sleeved shirts and tights, and brown leather boots. Their chest guards were decorated with just the crest of Hylia in the middle, which is an oval with a point at the bottom, three pointed-tipped features at each side of the oval and a picture of the Triforce, otherwise known as the legacy of the gods, in the center of the oval. Faces of all of Hylia's solders were never covered, after speeding years with Hylia's army I got to know these two as Tadashi and Masaki.
Tadashi was known for his loyalty and was one to be proud of his long blonde locks that he neatly combed back from his face except for his sideburns that he bundled together in front of his ears. He was so proud of his hair that he even grew out his facial hair, which is something that was uncommon to the rest of us Hylians. He had a small beard on his chin, a long nose that pointed at the end, and deep chocolate colored eyes.
Masaki was more of a scholar, therefore he sot out to all that was true and fair. He was Tadashi's sensei, that is why Tadashi and Masaki tied their sideburns and combed their hair back the same way, but that's all the similarities that they had. Masaki's hair was short and silvered with age, his nose was short and unpointed, and his eyes were a silver, sort of like his hair, but there was a tint of blue to them.
These two soldiers did nothing but stand in my way, Tadashi scowled at me while Masaki seemed worried about something I noticed as they waited for something. Finally, gaining the courage to approach them I took a step towards Tadashi, he was the smaller of the two and stood to my right, but I was stopped by the sound of enraged protesters approaching me from behind.
"What is with the yelling?" one person said "It's too early for this! What's your problem, son?" came from others from within the group. Then the crowd went silent, and started to stare at something, or someone, that was behind me. A knot started to grow in my chest and worked it's way up to my throat. With the thought of impending doom in the back of my mind, I slowly turned around keeping my gaze fixed to the ground. I stop my turn when my gaze met that of dark, tanned leather boots and the bottom part of a crimson mantle that hung about a foot from the ground. I closed my eyes in preparation to turn my gaze upward, although I never got that chance. I didn't dare open my eyes for a hand firmly grasped my chin, causing me to wince in pain as leather gloves dug deep into my face, and forced my head to tilt upward. Then the man spoke, his deep raspy voice echoing throughout the alley.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
I took another deep breath, my lungs aching from the lack of air for as the man spoke I had forgotten how to breathe. I opened my eyes and a gasp escaped my very lips in recognition. The man was none other then the great king himself, Lord Dagianis. He was a rather plump fella, with quite a large rounded nose, small beady eyes, that failed to show any color but black, and long black hair to frame his face; he dressed in an ornate military uniform, a solid blue tunic, shoulder guards that matched Tadashi's and Masaki's chest guards, the crimson mantle, white tights and long sleeved undershirt, and dark tanned boots and gloves.
Truth be told this was only the second time I had saw him and rumor had it that he had it 'out for me'. His voice sounded again, causing me to be startled. "Well,…we're waiting." Upon his request, I looked him straight in his black lifeless eyes and began answering his question trying my very best to sound brave in-front of him. "My name is Link, and I have vital information that I wish to share with you, my Lord." Once I spoke my name a small grin appeared on his face, at that moment he released his grip of me. His other hand rose, he snapped his fingers and with that the two guards took hold of my shoulders, Tadashi on my right and Masaki on my left, and effortlessly picked me off of the ground. Then it felt like there was a long pause as I turned my gaze to the ground and tried to kick with my legs for freedom, but alas, my efforts were pointless for my captors were too strong. I looked back up to make a protest to Lord Dagianis, but found that he had turned his back to me, then, in a mocking tone, he said, "Well, what ever it is you wish to 'share', we shall discuss this in my court room, shall we."
We began to walk towards Dagianis's castle, Dagianis choosing to walk while my old comrades carried me. As we turned the corner to take to the street that would lead to the castle, I noticed that we were being fallowed. About half of the crowd that was gathered a short moment ago were trailing us from behind. I quickly scanned the crowd hoping that Orville was not there, and to my relief, he was not. My attention was then turned back to Dagianis who, with his hand, motioned for his men to stop. We had finally arrived at the entrance, there stood a large rusted gate that was protected by a lone armed solder. The solder was a tall, thin man, he held a metal staff, and wore a helmet, which was a typical solders helmet, silver in color, draped down the sides and front to cover the ears and nose, and came to a point on top. His clothing was also plan just undecorated silver armor covering the torso and legs, and the foot wear was plan as well. This solder was just one that protected the castle, therefore I don't know his name. Dagianis then casually approach the soldier while Tadashi, Masaki, and myself stayed put. At the gate Dagianis exchanged words that were inaudible to me, it took only a few moments then for the soldier to slammed his staff hard to the ground to single for the gate to rise.
The towns people that were fallowing us stopped at the gate's entrance not daring to follow any further into the castle. We went through the rust gate, which closed behind us, where a lushes meadow unfolded before my very eyes. This meadow was surprisingly beautiful, judging that the man it belonged to had so many terrible rumors. The meadow had many flowers of every size, shape, and color imaginable and a dirt path leading to the castle's wooden drawbridge. The meadow's beauty was enough to bring a tear to my eye but it was short lived, for we quickly came to the drawbridge.
The drawbridge was one that I would expect from Dagianis. It was an old bridge with darkly stained wood that curved at the edges and chains that seemed more rusted then the front gate. As we crossed that creaky bridge, an odd smell had hit me. I looked around to see what the source was and as we entered the castle I got a glimpse of the water that appeared stagnant.
The castle's foyer, like the meadow, was something to behold. There was a crimson rug that ran from the drawbridge to a gold colored door, the rest of the floor was a reflective white marble which made the already large room seem larger. Above the gold door, the door that we were walking to, had an overhang balcony accompanied by two white marbled staircases with a silver post railing stretching from staircase to staircase.
"Impressed are we?" Dagianis voice startled me, last he spoke we were at the heart of town. I didn't said nothing, just stared into the back of his head, which seemed to make Tadashi angry. "Answer your Lord when he speaks to you!" Tadashi squeezing my right arm tighter as he spoke
"It does not matter," Dagianis started, "we'll have plenty of time to talk where he's going."
As we approached the gold plated door, Dagianis stopped letting Tadashi and Masaki hurry ahead of him to get the door. With the arms that weren't holding me, they effortlessly pushed the door open then Tadashi joined Masaki on the left side of the door allowing for Dagianis to enter first. Dagianis walked passed us, smirking at me on the way by, then singled for us to enter.
The crimson rug that was in the foyer continued to stretch to this room trail up about four steps and end at a gold-plated, sapphire-felted chair, Dagianis throne. The throne room was nothing short then depressing. There was just a lone window that brought little light in, and many tall candlesticks let the sides of the rug that's all that could be seen. Dagianis then promptly planted himself in his seat, at the sometime I was forced to my knees by the solders. I looked back up to Dagianis who, by this time, placed his fingertips, took a deep breath, and looked to the roof. He paused himself for a few moments, most likely pondering what to say, then he looked to me and spoke.
"You are quite the unique individual," he adjusted, resting his head in his right hand and crossing his right leg over the left. " therefore you have perked my, curiosity. For, where did you go after leaving my army?" I looked over my options for answering him, do I give him a snappy answer like 'It's none of your business.', or so I tell him the truth. Before I could reach a conclusion, my thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming for the doorway.
"He was with me." The voice proclaimed followed by head shaping to the door to identify the intruder. Of course Orville would have found out, today he was wearing his knights outfit, brown tunic, tan mantle, white tights and undershirt, leather boots, and his brown laced fingerless-gloves. Previous to today's events, he had personally warned me about Dagianis want for me and that I was to stay in hiding. I suppose staying in the confines of his house caused me to go a bit stir crazy, leading to my impulsive decision. "Ah, Orville," Dagianis begun "please join us. Tell me what brings you here today?"
Orville approached us, mantle swaying with each step, anger painted on his face, and talked as he walked. "I had heard that you had my friend in custody, I came to see if I could sway you into letting him go."
"Let me see now…" Dagianis placed a finger on his chin in thought, then his face let up as an idea came to his mind. "Well, you see, it all depends on what he has on him. From those items I'll determine wether or not he is a threat to my kingdom. SEARCH HIM, NOW!"
Upon his request, Tadashi and Masaki searched me, only to fine the blade strapped to my back. Masaki stepped in front of me to unbuckled my sheathed weaponed, mouthing the words 'I'm sorry' as he removed my sword. Masaki then left Tadashi in charge of holding me as turned the weapon to Dagianis. He kelt at the foot of the stairs, blade held high above his head, and face pointed downward. "This blade was all that was on him my Lord." Masaki informed. Dagianis hoped from his seat, strolled over to retrieve the sword, then casually waltz back to the top of the stairs. "A weapon," he proclaimed joyfully. "A threat!" he said
"WHAT…?" Orville uncontrollably spat out, which caused Dagianis to spin on his heels to look at Orville. "What do you mean 'what'?" Dagianis asked. Orville wasted no time answering the question. "I mean, yes, it is a weapon, but a threat, please. Everyone in Hylia caries a weapon of some kind. It's just the effect of the need to protect Hylia from the Demons."
"Ah yes, but Orville, you fail to see Link's mental state is declining. I mean who in their right mind you just run barefoot through Hylia screaming that Demise was coming. Things like that have been known to cause riots." Orville fell silent upon hearing Dagianis's words. After a few moments Dagianis returned his attention back to the blade. He remove the sword from its scabbard, laying it aside so that he could use both hands to examine the sword. The scabbard was mostly made of a cream-painted metal except for nine silver rivets at the top and a silver metal strip with a diamond at about halfway. The hilt of the sword us made of a lightly colored wood with a matching hand guard, the blade itself was polished silver metal, straight as straight could be, and came to a point at the top.
"This is a nice blade indeed, Link." Dagianis said while examining. He then took the hilt of the sword with his right hand, turned to his throne, and with a mighty swing of the blade he hit chair shaping the wooden hilt right in two. "It's a shame though, that the hilt was crafted so cheaply." Dagianis added. The sound of sintering wood made my heart sink. Hylia's army not only used me for my future protecting ability, no they put me to work repairing and forging weapons. Before I escaped the army I crafted a sword, more as a souvenir then anything, and snuck out in the dead of night.
"All right…" Dagianis concluded. "now that I've had my feel of torturing this sole. Tell me, Tadashi, Masaki, what should his true punishment be?"
"True punishment?" Orville commented. "Don't you feel as though you've caused enough damage?" "I agree." Masaki, gaining the courage to speak up. "You have already rendered him unarmed, and technically he has broken no laws."
"SILENCE, the both of you!" Dagianis didn't seem like being challenged. "How dare the two of you challenge me! I'm your lord, you should, and will obey me, understand?"
"Yes, my Lord" Orville apologized. "Please forgive us, Lord Dagianis" Add Masaki.
"Fine, I'll show you two mercy just this time. Do not let it happen again." Said Dagianis. Dagianis gathered the blade of the shattered sword, and walked down to Orville. "Here, Orville, let this be a painful reminder of your once friend." Dagianis hand the broken blade to him. "Now, get out of my sight." With that Orville took one last look at me, turned his back to us, and took his leave. Dagianis turned his attention to Tadashi ready to give an order to him.
"Tadashi."
"Yes, Lord Dagianis."
"Go to the dungeon, and tell Kyo that he was new company."
"The dungeon?"
"Yes, Hylia has an army, we do not need this hero anymore."
"As you wish." And with that Tadashi took his leave.
…. And that's why I'm here, chain to this wall, in the dark, wet, creepy dungeon. CLIP…CLOP…CLIP…CLOP. This is one sound that I've also became familiar with, the sound of Kyo walking down the stairs to the dungeon. Now how to describe Kyo… I'd say he's about the same age as Masaki. He has long gray hair that's combed back which reminded me of Tadashi. His outfit was similar to Orville's, but with a different color scheme. His tunic was green, like my very own, his mantle was a satin black, he wore plain silver shoulder guards, and dark brown gloves with leather gauntlets.
KREEE… The heave metal dungeon door opened, but there was something different this time. Kyo was not the only one there, no, there were three more with him. Then one spoke.
"Link? Link the hero, our hero."