Chapter 1: Damnation
For eight year old Link Atreides, that fateful Sunday morning began like any other might have. He awoke at sunrise in his warm feather bed, dressed in his Sunday best, and went downstairs for breakfast. In the kitchen of his family's farmhouse, his dear, beloved grandmother was cooking him and his little sister a breakfast of fluffy pancakes and sizzling bacon.
Grace Atreides smiled up at her grandson, her old wrinkly face splitting into a sunny smile. The young blonde boy and his little sister, Aryll Atreides, were the light of her life, the only reason her old bones got up and running in the morning. Especially since her daughter and her husband died. "Good morning Sunshine." said Grace, using her favorite pet name for the boy. "I presume the smell of food woke you up?" she asked in a mildly teasing voice, gesturing to the now almost done food.
Link smiled at his grandmother. "Good morning to you as well grandmother. I hope you slept well."
Grace chuckled and tucked a few strands of her silver hair behind her ears. "Oh sit down you rotten lad, you know I slept like a baby." said Grace to the unusually well-mannered boy. Link sat in his chair at the kitchen table, patiently waiting for his breakfast.
As Grace placed two pancakes and three sticks of bacon onto her grandson's plate, six-year-old Aryll came down the stairs, yawning like a cat. "So, the zombie awakes." chortled Grace. "And not even dressed." chided the old woman gently.
Aryll shrugged. "Sorry, I was up late last night."
Grace frowned in disapproval as she served up Aryll's breakfast. "You shouldn't be up so late dear, it isn't good for a growing young woman to be up so late."
"But it was Saturday night." complained Aryll. "All we have to do today is going to Service, I thought it would be okay if I slept in for a few minutes."
"And you know that service starts at nine o'clock sharp." said Grace in a chastising voice.. "You should have been in bed at a decent hour, you know we have to get up early." she said in a cross tone.
It's just Service!" whined Aryll. "It's not like we have somewhere important to go."
Grace was about to scold Aryll again, but Link beat her to it. "Aryll! Service is an important part of our lives, it isn't wise to miss it." said her older brother.
Aryll rolled her eyes and took a bite of pancakes. "Little Mister Perfect." grumbled the girl.
"Your brother is right Aryll." said Grace sitting down to her own pancakes. "Service is the time of week where we give our thanks to the Gods and meet with our friends and neighbors." Aryll grumbled under her breath and hunched over her food.
"Look Aryll, one day you'll thank me for dragging you off on to Service every Sunday, it's important to our souls."
"But do the Gods really care if we spend half our Sunday in some building learning about people who existed hundreds of years ago?" she complained.
Grace shook her head sadly. "That's not the point Aryll, you know that."
Aryll sighed and dropped her fork. "I'm going to go get dressed." said the girl as she scooted out of her chair.
Service, the three hours each Sunday spent by the followers of the Way of the Triforce at their church. Link loved this time of day, for it was at this time that he felt closest to the Gods and, by extension, his parents.
Link loved the smell of the chapel. The wooden walls and pews had a wonderful pine scent. The bark had been left on the top of the pews and Link loved nothing more than to run his hands over the rough surface. The painted ceiling depicted the beautiful Triforce, and the three Dragons, Lanayru, Eldin, and Faron, surrounding it in a cloudy sky.
The church was located on a grassy hill, overlooking the sea. The salty smell of the sea air wafted into the church and made the place smell like the life-giving ocean that lay outside it's doors. the bluegrass that grew on the hill waved in the wind, giving it a hypnotic effect on the senses.
Along either side of the church were three stained glass windows. Each of the Goddesses, Farore, Nayru, and Din, were shown in each window on either side. At the front of the Church were three more windows. The middle one showed the Triforce in all its golden glory, blazing like a sun. On the left window was Oni, the Male Spirit, the Warrior. He stood, his hands on his sword which was planted firmly in the ground. The picture of Oni was always enough to make Link feel strong. He liked to pretend that On was his father, and he watched over him, looking in from that window to check on his son. Of course he couldn't forget the window on the right as well, the one depicting Hylia, the Caregiver, the Mother of All. Like with Oni, Link liked to pretend that Hylia was his real, biological mother instead of just his spiritual mother.
Of course Link knew they were not, Link knew very well that his parents were dead, and had been since he was six. Dead by a dark mage's evil schemes. But all the same, he liked to think that in some small way, they were with him inside that beautiful little seaside church with him, always there. This was the place his mother and father had brought him every Sunday, it was part of him, the stories that were told, the lessons that were imparted, it was all there, in his heart and soul.
It was in this place that Link walked into that Sunday morning, bright and early. He stepped inside and inhaled the pine and ocean scented air. Already he felt it, the strange thereness that he always felt when he was inside this building. He always felt like someone walked with him in here, watching over him. Link liked to make-believe that it was his parents, still there after all these years in some small way.
Link walked forward, glancing around the church to see if anyone else was there, Grace and Aryll behind him. He was not at all surprised to see that the only ones there besides his family were Gonzo the inventor, Talon and his daughter Malon, and the priest Ramos.
Gonzo was a huge dark-skinned man, six feet seven inches and with muscles of a bull. He always smelled like oil and grease and always wore stained clothing, but on Sundays he always cleaned up and dressed well. Even now he wore his strange goggles which had adjustable magnification. The goggles caused his eyes to seem very large giving him the nickname of 'the beetle.' He was a warm and friendly man, always having a coin to spare for a beggar or a piece of candy to give to the children attending Service.
Talon was a large fat man, with a belly that rumbled every time he laughed and a bright red nose. His brown mustache was the only hair left on his head and face so he kept it well groomed and kept. His daughter, Malon, was a little girl about Link's age with bright red hair and a constantly smiling face. The father and daughter were all each of them had left after a dark guild had killed Malon's mother and taken her twin sister, Erza. It was the same Dark Guild which had harmed Malon and Talon's family which had taken Link's parents from him. Because of this, Link felt a profound connection to the father and daughter.
Ramos was a priest, a good one in Link's opinion. He was a rather short man with a full head of white hair. His face resembled that of a hawk's, but his eyes were bright and kind. Ramos wore his saffron-colored robe which he always wore during Service. The robe was one thing that all men and women in the service of the Gods wore. the only thing that distinguished him from other Priests was the golden swirl sewn into it, proclaiming that he was a devotee of Farore.
"Morning there green bean, still working that hat ain't ya?" laughed Gonzo patting Link on the head.
"You bet Mr. Gonzo." laughed Link.
"Oh Link hardly takes that ridiculous thing off." said Grace in a martyred tone. "I swear he would sleep in it if he could."
"Yeah well, Link is the only one who make that ridiculous thing look good." chuckled the dark-skinned man. He turned his attention to Link's grandmother. "Say Grace, how would you like to see..."
Link stopped paying attention as Gonzo started pitching his newest invention to Grace. Most of Gonzo's inventions exploded after their first five uses, but Grace ended up buying one or two anyway, mainly because she knew that Gonzo needed money and he was too proud to accept charity. Link instead walked up to Malon who was looking up at the stained glass depicting Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom.
"Hi Malon." said Link politely.
Malon smiled at him. "Hello Link, it's good to see you again." Link blushed as Malon smiled at him. He never knew why, but Malon's smile always made him feel a little bit awkward and flustered. "How are things at home?" she asked.
Link shrugged, fighting back his blush. "Oh, well, Grandma, Aryll, and I are managing. It's not as good as could be, but, you know, nothing is."
Malon nodded. "I know, things aren't going to well at the ranch either. People just aren't buying our things anymore."
Link knew what she was talking about, it seemed like hard times had fallen on the kingdom. Jewels seemed to be worth less and less, and the land seemed to be yeilding less and less crops. Link shook his head, times were bad everywhere. "Are things very bad at the ranch?" asked Link.
Malon shook her head. "Not as bad as it could be, after all people always need milk and eggs. It's the crops aren't selling well, and wolves have carried off many of our chickens."
Link shuddered. "Good riddance I say." said the boy. It was no great secret that Link was terrified of chickens, but what people didn't know was why. Truth be told, neither did Link. Chickens just made his skin crawl.
Malon giggled. "Oh Link, we're going to have to cure you of this silly phobia of yours, chickens are harmless."
Link shook his head. "That's where your wrong, they're evil monsters, and one day I'll prove it."
As this was going on, Ramos the Priest came down from the altar and walked over to Grace. Noticing the priest's approach, Grace bid goodbye to Gonzo, promising to buy three of his new inventions.
Grace smiled as Ramos approached. "Hello Grace." said Ramos shaking the old woman's hand. "How are you today."
Grace looked at him curiously. "Fine, why do you ask?"
Ramos shook his head. "Grace, a priest is like a dentist. He can spot a problem a mile away. Now please tell me what troubles you, it's my function in the community to help people after all."
Grace sighed, her shoulders sagging. Grace was always such a strong, dignified old woman it was almost impossible to think of her as old. She had to be strong, she never would have been able to deal with raising both of her grandchildren after their parents's unfortunate death. But now it looked like her age had caught up with her. "I worry for both of my grandchildren Father."
Ramos nodded slowly. "Tell me what it is that troubles you about them." said Ramos, gesturing for Grace to go with him up the aisle to the altar.
Grace sighed and walked with him. "Well, Aryll has become so contrary, refusing to go along with anything I or Link says. Normally she would follow her big brother to the end of the world if he asked her to, but now she resists him at every turn. And Link..." she trailed off, hesitant to continue lest she offend the priest. Ramos glanced over at her and she continued. "Well, he's become so obsessed with the Gods, and myths and legends and all that. He scarcely has time for the real world anymore. I worry about them Ramos, I can't help it. And I just need to know what to do, just so I don't lose them forever."
Ramos nodded, thinking over what to say next. Finally, as they reached the altar, Ramos said what he hoped was good advice. "Well Grace, it seems to me that Link and Aryll are still dealing with their parents deaths. It still hurts them since they're so young. With Aryll, I believe all you need to do is sit with her and talk things over. She needs to know that she has her grandmother to talk to, that someone is there for her."
Grace nodded, it made sense after all. That was what she liked about Ramos, while other priests based their advice off of the scripture and things like that, Ramos always thought with a clear head. "What about Link?" she asked, hoping he had some more kernels of wisdom to share.
Ramos stroked his chin where he was trying, without success, to grow a beard. "Well, it seems to me like Link is merely seeking comfort in his religion." he gave a stern look at Grace. "After all, you and I both know this is the one place that Tiberius and Claudia never fought."
Grace nodded, it was the truth. After Aryll had been born her daughter and her husband were always at their throats about something. But here at this little church they never fought, it was almost like they still loved each other.
"Still, I want him to find a root in the real world as well." said Grace in a resigned tone.
"Perhaps he could enter the Priesthood." suggested Ramos. "He has the zeal for it, I could even see Link as a preacher."
Grace shook her head. "I don't think so Ramos, he talks all the time about joing the army, but you and I both know he'd never survive there. I just don't know."
"He could become a mage, like Tiberius." said Ramos a bit hesitantly.
Grace stiffened, the fact that Grace distrusted all magic and that her daughter had married a mage had been a bone of contention between them up until Claudia's death. "Maybe..." said Grace trailing off.
Ramos held up his hands. "I'm not saying to should do anything now, but if he is to be a mage it would be wise for him to start soon, when he's young."
Grace nodded, turning to look at her Grandson who was speaking with Malon, the pretty ranch girl. "I don't know Ramos, he's only eight but I feel like I'm speaking to an adult whenever I make conversation with him."
Ramos chuckled. "I agree, an old soul if I ever saw one." As though on cue, the bell began to toll as more of the town's inhabitants entered the church, preparing for service. "Well, it seems like that's my cue." said Ramos. "Duty calls." he said kissing Grace's hand.
Grace giggled a little bit. "Oh get up on your soapbox you dirty dog."
"Let us give thanks this day. Let us give thanks to the Gods on high who have blest us with the road to Salvation." Ramos said at the altar to his gathered congregation. Link and the others bowed their heads in prayer, listening to the silence filling the room, feeling it settle in their bones.
"Let us pray to Din, let us ask Her for Power." said Ramos.
Link prayed to Din. 'Oh Din of Fire and Stone, Din whose fiery arms shaped the World, grant me the Power to change what I can.'
"Let us Pray to Farore, let us ask her for Courage." intoned Ramos.
Link breathed out and continued his prayer. 'Oh Farore of Wind and Lightning, Farore whose courageous spirit gave life to the beast and people of the Earth, grant me the Courage to accept that which I cannot change.'
"Let us pray to Nayru, let us ask her for Wisdom." proclaimed Ramos, his voice echoing conviction.
Link felt the power of the Gods in his veins. 'Oh Nayru the of the Stars and Water, Nayru who gave the spirit of Law to the world and Man from mute Beast, give me the Wisdom to tell the difference between that which I can change and that which I cannot.'
"Let us pray to Oni, let us ask him for Protection." said Ramos, the Fire of Faith in his eyes.
Link felt the Fire of Faith burning in his heart, he could have sworn that the Gods themselves whispered in his ears now. 'Oni of War, Oni of Life, Oni of Death, give me the Will and the Strength to protect those I love.'
"And finally, let us pray to Hylia, let us ask her for Love." said Ramos as light filtered through the window behind him, giving him a sort of halo.
Link felt the song of heaven singing through his veins, through his soul, ringing in his ears, and it was beautiful. 'Oh Hylia the Blessed Mother, grant me the love to give to my family and friends.'
"So we pray to the Gods, so we ask them for Power, Courage, Wisdom, Protection, and Love. Amen."
"Amen." said Link with the rest of the congregation. The assembled raised their heads, opened their holy books, and prepared to listen to the sermon.
And that's when the world exploded into fire.
Fire, ash, sulfur. It was everywhere. The smoke in the air was thick and there were the distant crackle's of fires.
Link could hear nothing, there was only a ringing in his ears and his vision was blurry. His clothes felt ragged and there was much pain in his left leg. There was a warm wetness running down his legs and arms and Link knew it was blood. Link lifted his head wincing at the pain it brought. He looked around and through his blurry vision he could see that the church was in ruins.
Only one thought entered Link's mind, and it possessed him like a demon.
Find his grandmother and sister.
Link pulled himself to his legs, but screamed in pain as he felt a sharp stab of pain in his legs. Link fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. He used his arms to pull himself forward, crawling through the wreckage as best he could.
Suddenly he felt hands grab him and haul him up. He did not know if anyone was talking, he still could only hear the ringing in his ears, but he knew this was an unfamiliar person. Link struggled weakly for a few moments before the pain became too much, and he was ripped into unconsciousness.
Link opened his eyes and saw a stone ceiling above him. His vision was repaired at least.
Link groaned as the dull ache of his wounds was felt in his flesh again. He looked down the length of his body to see the extent of the damage. He felt vomit rise in his mouth as he saw that both his legs, his feet, and most of his arms were covered in shoddily attached bandages. Link shifted a bit and felt the presence of more bandages beneath the sackcloth which had replaced his Sunday clothes. On either wrist was a heavy metal magical shackle.
As he could now hear his own groans of pain he assumed his hearing had returned. He struggled to his feet, wincing at the daggers of pain in his feet and legs. Link looked around, trying to get a bead on his new surroundings. The place he was in was a tiny cave, covered with a barred door. Link limped over to the door and grabbed the bars looking out. He felt his breath hitch in his throat when he saw what was outside.
He was in a deep pit, filled with hundreds of cells just like his, and as far as he could tell, all of them were occupied. Guards patrolled around the walkways, rough and mean looking men all of them. Some were accompanied by furless hounds with great gaping mouths.
'I'm in Hell,' was all Link could think. For what else could this be but Hell? Certainly no mortal men could devise such a horrible place. And yet Link knew he was alive, and that those were men patrolling the halls of this dark place. Link backed away, his breath coming fast and shallow. The eight year old couldn't believe what he was seeing, what twisted madman could have spawned this nightmare?
"So, you're up." said a tired voice from the other side of the cell. Link whirled around, but cried out in pain as the sudden motion sent great jolts of pain up his legs. Link clenched his teeth and rose to his feet to see the person who had addressed him.
In the far corner of the room was an emaciated old man. He had a long white beard and bushy white eyebrows. His face and body were covered in wrinkles, along with the occasional scar. Next to him were... other children. Six in total, huddled up together by the old man. "Hey there new kid, I'm Rob." said the old man. "You got a name?"
"L- Link." said young Link in a frightened tone.
"Link huh? Well let me introduce you to the rest of the family." said Rob. Rob turned to the children beside him. "It's okay runts, he's okay."
With hesitant steps the children came out from behind Rob and the old man introduced them. "The blue-haired one with the interesting birthmark is Jellal, the little blonde one is Sho, the brown-haired girl is Milliana, the small black-haired boy is Wally, the bigger one is Simon, and the red-haired girl here is Erza." said Rob.
Link looked over the children as Rob spoke and matched each description with their name. But when he saw Erza and heard her name he jumped in surprise. "Erza? Is that really you!?" cried Link in shock.
The little red-head looked up in surprise. "You- you know my name?" she said in a surprised tone.
"Your Malon's twin sister! The one taken away when she was three years old!" cried Link, for he was certain it was her. Who else besides Malon's family possessed such flaming red hair and elegant features. Horror filled his heart as he realized, that Erza had been here for five years. "Erza, dear Gods." he said, his voice choking up, tears finally falling. "Five years, I'm so sorry." he said.
Jellal stepped forward. "You know Erza, your from where she's from?" he demanded.
Link nodded, dashing away the tears. "Y-yeah. I'm friends with her sister Malon. We we're talking in Church a little... while..." he trailed off as the facts finally sunk in. The bomb had nearly leveled the Church, and he was most likely the only survivor. If anyone else had survived, they were here in this Hell-Pit. He was not sure which fate was worse.
All this hit him with the force of a freight train and he fell to the ground staring forward at nothing, shuddering.
He was alone.
In that moment Link Atreides felt the Fire of Faith dim in his heart, and all his despair, all his pain, all his grief erupted out of his mouth in a primal animal scream that echoed across the prison with a force of thunder.
Link collapsed to the ground, tears leaking out his eyes and his small body trembling. He was dimly aware of the other children rushing to his side and Rob lifting him up. Link didn't really care, he didn't feel anything. He was alone, in Hell.
He was damned.