A little something to the reader
The reason I came up with to write this story, came from an essay I wrote in high school. It had something to do with these six pillars of kindness the school attempted to drill into our heads. I'm adding it just to express why I have kept this game so near and dear to my heart for so long. It's not exactly a part of the story, but it is made with the same heart that I put into the story, so here it goes, comments are welcome to any part of the story. Now here is the essay:
My Thoughts on a Hero
As a child, I was always in search of a quiet place where I could relax and free my mind, a place where I could be of some help to those in need. For me, that place was in a game called "The Legend of Zelda". I played as Link, using my wits to solve puzzles, or thinking of what was the smartest way to beat the next boss…only to know that all of this was done to save just a portion of his country. I moved him from one little province to another getting rid of a ghost, or helping a troubled soul along the way. Each and every time I helped a person, I slowly but surely felt a certain responsibility, to these digital people feeling as though a denizen of there country would feel. I felt a certain obligation, in playing the game, as if feeling the trust of the people, to this hero, to save them from destruction.
The cold, empty truth came to my mind, though, when the game was shut off. I had to face what was my life. Having only been but a mere nine years old, I lost my house, my dog, my guitar, and my game that allowed me to be the hero. But with those things gone, finally, I stopped to realize, where are the heroes are now? It took the firemen until the house was burned to the ground to show up. Even then, the only thing they salvaged were the ashes of my old life, my childhood. Alas, all battles in life can't be won, but lessons learned. I respect the somewhat of an effort they had, and almost trusted my mother and father when they explained to me everything was going to be alright. I knew better by then. The fire had caused me to trust few to none and from then on and that's how I was.
By now you're reading this and have been informed of something the title didn't suggest, a part of my life, to me, this is how I explain a hero. He is the one to be respected, the one who holds the weight of his people and succeeds without fail. The people (in the game) have learned to trust in the legend of the fairy boy who came from the woods with a certain aura about him; they knew this to be their hero. I have a question for you now, how does one know of what a hero is in this time? Is it the officer, who is undercover, risking his or her life for a bust and turning crooked in the process, or is it the politician who supposedly fights and lectures for his peoples benefit, with his hidden agenda for the opposite?
My opinion is that the only heroes left are the unspoken individuals who do right without want of fame or money. Example being when a soldier falls on the battlefield, he may have lost his trust in his allies, in his beliefs, and himself, until the one brave soul comes to help him up and get him to safety. His actions only showing the want to know his friend will live. Or when an individual is having problems with life and just wants everything to go silent and numb. As his mind becomes a game being played, with malice intentions, increasing his slow seepage into a devastating depression, which would be fit for Poe, a friend comes to pick him up from the darkness to show that light still exists, that he was just blinded by the situation before, with no guidance. Those people who bring back those in need, are the worlds' heroes now, those are the people who deserve our respect and trust. Sadly though, the denizens of this world only realize the glamour statues that are actors/actresses, ball players, and etc. as their idols, as their
"See-Through Titans"
From time to time, I'll sometimes feel a nostalgic moment needed so I plug in the new system, pop in the game, and listen to that magical opening sequence that was once so dear to me when I was young. I play the game even to this day, but it seems to me something has changed. Though I know it's not possible, I'd rather live there in that place, rather than here. For the fact, that I could be the hero, the old fashioned champion who goes to the edges of the world and back, to restore peace to my world. Once again, though, I seldom like to come to the realization that there will be no more great legends made in this time or near future. There will be no more Beowulf or Heracles of the ancient lore. For now, we must trust and respect one another, for in us, are the true champions, the Titans, the heroes. If decided so, you could be that soldier's ally who saves him from death on an unknown soil, away from home, away from family. You can be the friend who shows the light to those in darkness. The Legend of Zelda is just a game with a fictional hero, but like in life, we have too many fakes, too many posing to do well. This world needs more heroes.
Do you think you can be one of them? And if so, remember, one can never start too soon nor too late, but just in the nick of time.
