The Legend Of Zelda:
SOUL EXCHANGE
Disclaimer
I do not own any of the Legend of Zelda Characters.
(That how I like it…short)
(Enjoy)
Prologue
After finishing with the war he again raged through time,
Link rode away from Termina on his faithful stead, Epona.
Now, with a clear sense of direction
The hero of time again set out to the homeland he once
Called home.
But Hyrule is a long way from Termina…
Anything can go wrong.
Chapter One
*Somewhere in the Lost Woods*
Link again set his path towards Hyrule. A land that had made him a legend, a land he once called home. As he rode Epona, his faithful stead, slowly drifting into the realm of dreams, Link could smell the sweet dew in the forest after last night's heavy rainfall. The air carried a soft cloud of dew and mist in the early morning's glow. The sound of Epona's hooves, echoed loudly in the forest's depths, as all other sounds were silent in the early hours of the dawn.
The same vast forest that Link had once travelled before, he now had travelled for the last three weeks without a clear view of the sky. The thick branches of the forest's canopy, shielded the forest's floor below that almost no light could penetrate the thick leaves. Every time Link had looked up to see a patch of blue sky, he was only able to see the green of the tree's leaves of the canopy. Small openings in the canopy, from fallen, old and broken branches allowed beams of sunlight to shine down and illuminate the forest ground. Link thought to steer Epona to these rays of light, but in his drowsy state, he lacked the energy to do so. If he happened to travel through one, he would look then.
Link, from his tired state, would raise his head periodically to gather his where about in this forest that separated Hyrule and Termina; though the little it would do. The Lost Woods was a maze of paths and routes. With no clear direction or signs to follow, the forest was true to its name. The forest seemed so unfamiliar to the young warrior, this time round as was his last. Even if Link was to pass through the Lost Woods again, he wouldn't recognize the path he travelled. All that Link knew was that Hyrule was on the opposite side of the forest. But there was no marking or direction to point Link in the right direction, so he left the driving to Epona, placing all his trust upon his faithful horse.
In and out of his drowsy state, Link looked back to the past, on the people and friends his made while on his newly finished journey. Thanks to the Bombers in Termina, he was able to make a lot of people happy; which the 'bomber's notebook' held as a reminded to him. Their smiles he could clearly picture. Anju and Kafie were maybe the ones that he could picture the most – being somewhat difficult and long enduring to complete, but well with it. He had heard their wedding bells as he left Termina all the way into the woods. 'Too bad' he thought disappointedly, that he could not stick around to enjoy the wedding celebration, but he had his own home to go back to.
While trotting in the forest, and with his mind reminiscing about Termina, Link had the strange urge that any minute, Tatl, the young and tough acting fairy, who had help him in his journey in Termina would suddenly pop up with her brother. Actually…he was hoping he could see her again. Thanks to Tatl, he remembered the journey he had shared with Navi, in Hyrule and throughout Time.
Having suddenly thought of his old fairy companion, Link's mind was taken back to his first great Heroic adventure in Hyrule. However, his mind did not reminisce about the whole of his adventure, but instead, he found himself flying high above the clouds, to place he had once been when his battle with Ganandorf was done. The last place his great battle had leaded to, the last moment of him being an adult. This was where he last shared a moment as an adult with the seventh sage - Princess Zelda. He remembered their final conversation and their last touch, when he exchanged the Ocarina of Time back to its rightful owner. Her weak smile and the single tear she shred as she played the melody of Time, as he was sent back to the past, stayed clearly imprinted in his mind.
A smile slowly crept across Link's face during this memory. He wasn't sure if he was happy to see her again, even in a memory, or if it was something else. Feeling suddenly peaceful and sleepy, Link laid his head into Epona's mane. Link began rubbing his face against Epona's soft mane, trying to get comfortable and stable as Epona strode about the forest, before falling straight asleep. Epona could feel her master resting on and tried no to disturb him while he slept.
.
.
After some time, Link awoke; with a constant soft nudging into his side. He rolled onto his side, as the prodding continued, to see Epona lying down next to him, resting her head on his side. The young warrior blinked at her for a moment before he rubbed her mane. As he did, he began to survey the area, wondering where his stead had taken him.
Link, rising from his sleep, now sat with Epona's head in his lap. Epona had taken them on a hillside, with a clear running river beside him. The river flowed clear and blue, dividing itself into a pond further to his left and the main flow of the river heading into distance behind him, which flowed under a bridge. Link rubbed the sleep from his eyes while he stood up; trying to get a better view of the area. Epona rose with him, getting upon her legs and standing beside her master.
'Epona… this place' Link mumbled, suddenly being struck with a sense of familiarity. 'I know this place…'
Link, with focused eyes, began taking in every inch of the scene before him.
At one moment Link felt confused, with what he saw. He felt he knew this place, yet he couldn't believe that he was even there – it was too soon to have arrived. The river was like many others he had seen, yet it felt more familiar; even the grass and the way the hill was positioned gave off a sense of familiarity. There was a strange tall rise on the other side of the bank that offered an observational view over the area. The area was considerably small to have need of such an 'observation view', despite the clear and peaceful scene. Not many places had such a thing – expect for one place the warrior knew of. As he continued to take in the sights, trying to figure out his locations, while casting aside his mind's attempt to acknowledge his whereabouts, the more he could not deny it to be true. The young warrior's eyes soften and then a wide smile beared across his face as the facts confirmed what his mind was telling him.
'Epona! This is… I don't believe… we're home!' Link shouted, turning about and hugging his faithful companion, tightly around her neck. This pond and the area he had awoken in were just a small peaceful portion of the mighty realm of his homeland of Hyrule. Being home again, he felt relieved. It's been too long since he had been back in his hometown. Link began to wonder where it was he should head first: To his old childhood home in the Kokri Forest just east of his location, or to the Goron city and its people within Death Mountain, passing through Korkika village along the way. Even Zora Domain was close by, heading through the trail just over the riverbed, and following the path towards the waterfall to the Zora's home.
Link twirled round a bit, his smile still upon his face, trying to decide where it was he would head first. Amidst his pondering, Link's mind suddenly drifted back to his mind of his parting with Zelda in the clouds, which caused the warrior to stop his twirling. The decision was made. The memory, along with his promise to return to the princess, had determined his destination. Acknowledging that, Link lifted his head with a slightly brighter smile upon his lips. He was already pointed in the direction he needed to go, so all Link had to do was run, and keep running till he got to the castle.
His feet barely touched the ground as he sprinted across the plain, as he blazed up the hill with such speed and power. He felt like he was wearing the bunnyhood upon his head, which made him run like the wind, but knew the mask was still tucked away safely within his tunic.
'That's Lon Lon Ranch… it your old home Epona!' Link shouted in his mind, as the huge stonewall of the Lon Lon Ranch rose steadily over the hill. Lon Lon Ranch sat proudly on the mound in the middle of the Hyrule plain, acting a middle ground and half way point between the other villages within Hyrule. Link peered over his shoulder to just catch a glimpse of Epona, who was falling behind her master in his empowered dash. 'Since the Ranch is appearing so quickly, I'll be soon within the market at this rate! Just over the hill, down the other side and a dash across the drawbridge and I'll be in Hyrule Castle's walls!' Link thought happily, remembering the grand castle's white stone walls, the moat surrounding it and the giant mighty castle that lay in the hills behind. Link remembered the blue of the castle's tiles, set upon its white stone structure and the royal blue and yellow banners in the high wind, welcoming him. 'Princess Zelda… I have kept my word!' He said calmly as he reopened his eyes.
Link was just a mere few feet from the top of the hill. After this, all he had to do was cross the last bit of open plain and he would be within the stone walls of the castle.
Feeling a sudden burst of energy surge through his legs, Link rushed up the last stretch to the top of the hill. With the sudden rush of energy, Link didn't feel like stopping once he had made it to the market. No, Link felt like running through the market and up to the Castle itself. He wanted to take in the sight of his old home, but at the moment, he just wanted to see the Princess again.
Link quickly reached the top of the hill, his heart and mind filling with the memories of the grand castle and…
(((BBOOMM)))
Not having a second to glimpse upon the castle or the market was Link suddenly blown backwards by a powerful force. It slammed into him without warning and felt like an explosion from a Powder Keg at close range. His body only hurt for a second, whilst in the air, and from the heavy landing, but apart from that he was fine otherwise. Link lifted himself slowly onto his arm then up onto his knees. He shook his slightly before staring back up to the top of the hill.
'What was that?' Link thought, rubbing his head slightly, staring up at the hill and the sky above it.
The warrior's mouth suddenly dropped open, at what he saw above. Looking up towards the top of the hill, Link saw the once blue sunny sky, had now darkened with vile looking storm clouds. Flashes of ominous looking lighting bolts lit up the sky periodically and a fiery glow radiating in the direction of the castle. Link scrambled to understand what he was seeing, till something else started to confuse and frighten him. Ash had begun to snow from the clouds, just like a normal winter's day, but with the smell of fire, brunt wood and blood hanging in the air.
That was it; Link couldn't wait no more. Link didn't care to check over himself to ensure if he was truly okay, he simply wiped the ash from his face, pushed off from the ground and bolted back up the hill. Link left his instinct and his combat knowledge and strategy, all behind him on the ground. Something terrible had happened, and he didn't have the time to play it safe, till he saw what had happened. The unknown surge of energy he had before was still there in his legs, allowing him to run speedily to the top of the hill.
But it was no longer joy or happiness of being home that lingered in his heart; it was now fear.
Just before Link reached the top, his mind again tried to grasp what had just happened – playing on little facts to conjure a reason. He had nothing. There was no reason for this, nor was there a faint idea of why he was so violently blasted back, or even to why the whole scenery had suddenly taken an ominous form. Nothing.
With a few last steps, Link had rescaled the hill once again. The colour drained from his face and his eyes widen with shock and fear. The mighty castle and market, which he had always seen from this hill, with a clear sky backdrop, was now darken and cover in a swarm of fire. The castle looked as though a full scale attack had taken place, yet the damage to the castle's walls, marketplace and even the castle itself suggested this had been happening for a while.
Absorbing the sight into his mind, Link motioned forward, soon to break into a sprint to go on the offensive or on the rescue. But as soon as he stepped forward to begin his sprint, a dark and giant shadow, suddenly materialised before him. It gave a mighty and powerful roar, blasting volumes of air into the young warrior. It then flexed it bulky arm out to the side to block the warrior's advance.
Link stumbled backwards, trying to peer up at the gigantic demon before him. The dark shadow growled heavily and glared down at Link with its bright yellow eye's narrowed, before chuckling slightly.
'I've got you this time…' it growled heavily, its voice resounding, '…Hero of Time…'
'G-G-Ganon!" Link tried to screamed, but fear griped his throat and forced his words into a mere whimper.
Ganon, The demonic form of the Evil King, Ganondorf, stood proudly upon the warrior recognizing it. It swished its tail like a whip and stomped its hooves into the ground. The demon, upon hearing the warrior gripped with fear upon speaking its names, chuckled uncontrollably.
Amidst its chuckling, the demon, Ganon, rose it's mighty fists above its head, clutched its hands together and with all the power and strength it swung…
'ARGH!'
Link sprung upright, his arms crossing his face and his whole body tensed. His breath was quick and short, and his whole body stay in tension for a few minutes, till he started to clam down. Link lowered his guard when he felt no pain from any coming attack. Link, staring at the darkness before him and seeing no sign of the demon Ganon, sighed highly. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, yet he could feel heavy perspiration all over his body. His body was shaking out of his control too. The warrior felt like there was fire dancing in his interior organs, while ice was collecting on his flesh.
'A dream…' Link murmured heavily, slowly coming to terms to with what he had just imagined. 'It was just a…dream'
Link took note that he was not in the realm of Hyrule as his dream had showed him to be, but that he was still in the forest. The night had come swiftly and Epona must have stop to rest for the night, while he slept on. He peered about their resting spot and found behind him, his faithful stead was sleeping; obviously not disturb the slightest by his sudden wake. He gave a slightly smile, watching Epona resting there, flickering her ear and tail now and then. Link's eyes then drifted from his horse to their current stop for the night. Epona had cleverly chosen a nice tall evergreen pine tree that acted much like an umbrella with its thick branches overlapping the other branches and shielding the base and the pair from the rain that was pouring outside.
Link glanced around the inside of tree and then slowly made his way over to the opening in the branches, examining for any signs of danger. With the heavy rain, Link couldn't see much outside. It was too dark at night and the rain made visibility nearly zero. From what he could of the outside, nothing seemed unusual. The forest was still and motionless. Most of the animals would be in their homes and burrows by now, waiting for the morning, and those that were active during the night would not be able to sense their location with the heavy rainfall so he could rule out possible animal attacks. Link, remaining still and silent, watched the forest with narrow and focused eyes, making doubly sure all was ok.
Giving himself the all clear, Link returned back to the base of the tree and again rested against Epona. He stayed there, his head on her chest, lifting and falling with his stead's steady breathe and slowly drifted off into his dreams. It wasn't easy, with the thought of his last dream haunting his mind, but he somehow managed, with the sound of the rain, to sleep.
.
.
As quickly as the night had come upon the Lost Woods, so quick did the dawn to rise. Link had risen early before the dawn had broken above the horizon and had already made the preparation to leave the small shade of the tree from which the pair slept under, before Epona had even awoken. Adjusting his tunic and weapons upon his back, Link slowly lowered himself on Epona's strong back, and gently nudged Epona forward. Epona shook her head slightly, to shake the sleep away, gave a quick grunt and then slowly trotted out of the evergreen's branches.
Link, as soon as they had set out into this new day, stayed alert and focused as he always in the morning, taking in the many sights of the uncharted forest. But after a few minutes, the warrior felt like falling asleep again. Something made him wants to sleep. He almost felt like he had just been through training, his body just seemed to feel exhausted. Having nothing to but survey the surrounding, was boring, he admitted, but not boring enough to make him this tired. But, as his eyes drew closed, the nightmarish figure of Ganon and the destroyed remains on the Hyrule Castle, in his dream prevented his eyes to close and him from resting long.
The two continued to travel along in the never-ending forest, Epona carrying her master onward and Link surveying and half sleeping.
After what seemed a like an hour, Epona came to a sudden paused. She stared into the distance, blinking her brown eyes and titling her head. She did this for a few seconds before grunted heavily, shaking her head to gain her master's attention. Link had only just slipped into a short sleep, before being woken by his stead. Link eyes were only half open as his brain slowly registered Epona's action.
'W-What is it Epona?' Link asked in a drowsy tone, yawning soon after. Epona grunted again, pounding her hooves into the ground while pointing her head directly before them. Link, rubbing his eyes slightly, slowly followed where Epona had pointed, till his eyes found what she had stopped for. With a shot of awareness, Link's focus and warrior instinct came into play. He seemed more alert and alive now. His drowsiness suddenly overcomes with a sense of danger. Link dismounted Epona and landed on the ground, causing a great deal of mist to retreat from his landing.
'Mist… Where did this come from?' Link asked himself, spinning around in all directions. The white, ghost like Mist was everywhere; hovering above the ground, swirling along with the wind and the warrior's staggered movements. It was in all directions; stretching forth from the forest's depths. Link again wondered where the mist had blown in from, how long had they been travelling with it under their feet; but being oblivious and sleepy to anything else in the forest; he knew he could not know.
'Nah!'
Epona suddenly nudged Link in the back and again pointed in the same direction. Link peered at her quickly, nodding his head and then drew sword and shield for his back. His hand gripped steadily upon both sword and shield before he moved stealthy towards the object, hidden almost entirely by the mist. The mist so thick, he could hardly tell what may be lurking under the surface. The ground was no longer visible, which meant Link had to take extra caution when setting his foot down.
Link hid himself well behind his Hero Shield, allowing only his eye to float above the top edge of the shield. His sword hung slightly by his side, but his arm was tense to quickly summon it forth to strike; if he had the need to. Link moved steadily with the mist at his feet; breaking around him as he and his shield moved onwards.
Moving a few more feet, Link stood in front of the object that Epona had pointed out to him. He made a quick check for any signs of noticeable movement from the mist or canopy before he completely lowered both sword and shield to the ground. Being a short distance away from the object, Link couldn't see what it was. The mist obscured his vision. Link tried to waverer the mist away with his hand, but the mist seemed persistent in staying. Frowning for a moment, Link grabbed his Hero Shield and swung it from left to right, repeatedly. The wind created by the shield was enough to send the mist retreating; allowing the warrior to gaze upon the hidden object.
'Hey Epona, come over here!' Link called out to his stead, beckoning with a raised hand. Link her grunt with hesitation, but slowly drew in close to her master. Link rubbed Epona's mane as he and her stared down.
'It's just a… man, Epona' Link stated, staring down at a man sleeping against the base of the tree. The man seemed to be that of a farmer or stable worker. He wore dirty blue overalls and a straw hat that covered his face, and his hands firmly rested upon his chest. The man was fairly matured, his moustache bearing some grey and sliver highlights in his hair. 'Maybe I should wake him up?' he suggested, look at his stead. Epona peered at him, but remained silent. Link lowered himself down beside the man, his face just above the mist.
'Hey Mister…wake up' Link said, shaking the man softly. The came no reply, just the steady breathing of the sleeping man. Link waited for a few second before trying again. Again, there was no reply. Link had thought to let the man sleep, but to do in the Lost Wood was not wise. 'Those who go into the Lost Wood and become lost will become part of the forest itself' Link recalled, remembering the saying from a childhood myth. Link was also concern that a hungry animal or wandering theft would stumble the poor man in his sleep and have their way with him.
Link kept trying, but each attempt became louder and harder.
'Hey!' Link shouted, shaking the man so hard he was moving the man entirely across the tree's trunk. His face becoming hard and angry and his eyebrow narrowed sharply. 'Wake up!'
'NAHHH!'
Epona's cried almost startled the Hero of Time from what he was doing, but Link was used to such things. Link peered over Epona, who had moved away from him while he attempted to wake up the man. She was again pounding her hooves into the ground and pointed her head towards the ground.
'What is it girl?' Link asked, hurrying to the horse's side. Epona nudged his side before pointing just up ahead. Link peered along the direction and jumped back in fright.
'W-What the…!' Link stuttered, stumbling backwards slightly.
To the left and just a bit down the track of the sleeping man they had discovered, was an exit out of the forest. The light of the sun shone brightly into the forest, blinding Link from seeing what lay beyond the forest's mouth. But with the sun's light pouring in, the mist lost its thickness. It was because of this that Link was able to see what lay hidden under the mist.
Riddled around Link and Epona, lying asleep, just like the man at the base of the tree, were more people. They were spread out along the path heading into the forest, some closer to the pair while others were collected at the forest's opening. Link gathered that these people had to be from a nearby town. Link's eyes scanned over the sleeping people, examining them for signs of wounds or any indication of what had happened to them or where they came from. There were guards, stable and construction workers and even families – each from different races. Link stumbled passed the sleeping masses, checking for any signs of attack. But there was no sign of attacks, scars or wounds for that matter, or any indication of foul play. It appeared that these people were merely… sleeping.
'What happen to these people?' Link muttered as he continued his way to the exit of the forest. Link again tighten his grip on sword and shield, but let them hang offside. Now that he could see the ground, he couldn't be easily surprised. His glare remained fixed on the ground, so he didn't stand on anyone. He thought maybe he should, just in case it was enough to wake them up, but then thought against it and kept moving.
Suddenly, reaching just a few feet from the forest's opening, Link came to a halt. His eyes had started to close, and he felt an unusual sensation of sleep become him. It was just like before when he rode Epona, but this time, he couldn't resist it anymore. He felt his energy slowly slip away from him, as if he was being drain of life. His muscles were relaxing and becoming numb. His mind was slowly down and his thought processors were becoming minimal. He tired to fight the powerful urge to sleep, but seemed to only buy himself a little more time. Using the little strength he had left, he slowly turned around, almost falling in his steps, to face his faithful stead – apparently unaffected by the sleeping urge that had become him.
'Epona…' Link whispered, raising a hand to Epona. '…Help…me…'
'NNAAHH!'
Epona, sensing a danger to her master dashed forward in panic as Link's strength failed him. Link could see everything slowing down, as his body descended to the ground. To Link; It felt like he hit the ground soft and gentle like, but the sharp amount of pain that raced through his side, said other wise.
Link grunt before he saw his world end in darkness. He felt almost a quick feeling of despair, but then peace as he lost consciousness.
'W-Wait'
'I can't go like this'
'Please…someone…anyone'
'Save me'
