The Legend of Zelda
Fading Screams
by Shizuka Kai
Chapter 1: Enter the green hero
All I have ever known is this chapel... I don't know how old I am or where I came from. All I know is that when I was young the chapel groundskeeper and his wife adopted me and ever since they have counted the day they found me as my birth. So on the day I was found they surprise me with a shortcake. Today the groundskeeper told me I have a destiny to realize. In the chapel there is a stained glass window depicting a hero clad in a green tunic with a sword and shield. He resembles me yes, but am I really a hero?
"Link? You okay boy?"
"..."
"Hey. Something on your mind?"
"Hm? Yeah I was just thinking... If I really am descended from this hero of legend... How am I supposed to follow suit to his legacy? Hyrule hasn't seen conflict since the war centuries ago..."
"I see what you mean."
He walked out of the room and came back with a package wrapped in canvas. "I think it's anything but coincidence that his tunic is in mine and my wife's possession yet we can't have children... and ten years ago we find you in the monastery's garden." It was hard to argue with his logic. Was today the coming of age birthday? Is this why there was going to be a festival in Kakkariko today? He handed it to me and told me to try it on. I walked into my room and changed. As I walked back into the den my mother for all intents and purposes placed her hands over her mouth gasping. "It suits you beautifully... Honey, I think the hero of light has returned." She raved, I blushed adjusting the pointed cap on my head. I stepped closer to the table grabbing my rucksack before walking towards the door. The groundskeeper smiles and cheers at me, "Head on into town I have the sneaking suspicion that the ranch girl, Marin will have a gift for you as well as the bazaar salesman."
I laughed to myself scoffing at the thought of Marin. She and I had been friends since the groundskeeper adopted me. He seemed convinced we would've made a great couple. For the life of me, I didn't see it. I walked down the path dressed in my new outfit. I passed through Kakkariko graveyard on the way into the village the stationary lantern near one grave meant there was a poe nearby. I attempted to sneak passed and ran into the village. Out of breath I made for the bazaar, along the way I passed the cucco girl... To this day I am still baffled why she would dress their pen with allergenic plants knowing she got really bad hay-fever. I gave my usual smile and gentle wave as I walked up the front steps to enter the bazaar. The moment I step in the merchant greeted me with more gusto than usual. "Link! Heya kid good to see ya, and happy birthday!" He turned to face a cabinet with a lock on it. After unlocking it he reached in and pulled out a big package and laid it on the counter. I looked up to him half smiling. "Open it up kid. You will love it!" I pull the package string and unraveled the wrapping. It was a shiny brand new Hylian shield. My eyes lit up, there was no way possible I nor the groundskeeper could afford such a thing. He crossed his arms and smiled proudly. "I love it sir, thank you!" I beamed as I ran out the door sliding my shield onto it's holster on my back. As I reached the adjacent exit to Kakkariko I noticed the Lon Lon carriage approaching the village.
Marin steered the carriage to a stop as I reached it. She smiles excitedly at me and jumps down with her arms spread, I caught her embracing her in a tight hug. She let go and exclaimed, "Happy birthday Link! I have a few gifts for you!" She went to the back of her carriage and pulls out a fully dressed sword. She smiles handing it to me, "This one is from my dad, he knew you were going to get the clothes and he wanted you to have a sword worthy of a hero." I smiled unsheathing it holding it by the hilt. The hilt was leather-bound, the blade was shining like a bright blade shaped star. I then got to thinking that Hylian steel is not this shiny. "What's this blade made of?"
"Well, it's a mixture of silver and Hylian steel, but at the core of the blade is what will make it indestructible. It's a Deku stick, a gifted branch from the Great Deku Tree himself. As you may know his branches are unbreakable unlike standard Deku branches. Father thought it would be good for you to have an unbreakable weapon..."
Her voice began shaking. "What's wrong Marin?" I asked dumbfoundedly unprepared for the truth she was about to lay into me. She reached for my hand and held it tight. "Link, you realize that with your coming of age ceremony the princess will come and take you to the castle for you to train, right?" Nothing could've given me the courage to answer her. I honestly didn't know that. Did that mean I couldn't live at the monastery anymore? I couldn't see Marin or the groundskeeper again? She embraced me in a hug again before regaining her bearings. "I'm sorry, I'm probably depressing you on your birthday. Are you ready for your gift from me?" I smiled warmly and nodded as I tried to peek. She smacked my shoulder. She took my hand commanding me to close my eyes. I did so, and before I knew it there was strong warm breaths on my face. I opened to see a red and white furred, fullly grown, filly. She stood tall pecking her hoof at the ground arbitrarily. Marin paced up to her and pet her like they grew up together. "This is Epona, she is my gift to you. I have been raising her originally for the princess but she's too wild. She'd be better suited to you, the hero. I smiled and affectionately introduced myself to Epona with a wide ear to ear smile on my face.
This was the best birthday ever... But why do I feel like something bad is about to happen...