The Dark Relic

Chapter 1: I Know You From Somewhere

Link was just putting an old book back on the shelf so he could go and finish his homework. This particular book has been in his family for many years, his dad claims since the middle-ages. But Link always shook his head and walked off. The title of the aged book was titled "The Old Country." The author's name was written in rune's that were undecipherable. Link enjoyed reading the book time to time, the part that wasn't written in ancient runes, only because he longed for a freedom that doesn't exist. It is currently the 21st century, there are many laws that don't allow you to roam free like the heroes of old mentioned in his book. Heroes that have done great deeds, and made their mark into the stone wall of history, and stood up what was right. Heroes that where . . . legends and fairy tales in Link's mind.

Link is an average high school student, counting every day that goes by so he can leave the horrible town he lives in and forget about the idiots that live there. He was preparing for the next day of school, where he walked quietly through the halls to the next boring class, and tried to forget that he was sitting through a mundane lecture from a decrepit teacher. He could never escape the feeling that he was meant to be something much better, that that feeling seemed to have been doused in gasoline and lit on fire after hearing people talk about their latest conversation on their cell phone.

"So are you ready to hit the books again tomorrow?" asked Link's dad.

Link chuckled, "I seriously hope that you're joking."

"Not one bit, you need to study so you can be something someday," replied Link's dad. "It is different nowadays, you have to go to school or you'll be a bum on the streets."

"Yeah I know that, but the people that are at that school are…unbearable," whined Link. "Too busy with pointless things that won't make a difference in the real world, and that's just the students. Some of the teachers you'd want to . . . to throw a meter stick at!"

"Then why don't you do something about it?" asked Link's dad. "For the people that annoy you, it's only yourself that lets them get to you. I am sure you can fine a way to keep them from getting under your skin. As for some of the antagonists you may face there, well they probably don't respect you, and you only get the respect that you demand."

"True, I know that but it is hard to stand up to these people when everyone takes what you're saying as a provocative insult."

"Oh, don't sweat it," assured Link's dad. "In time, I think you'll get your shot at respect. People will see you and say, 'Isn't that the guy who achieved greatness?'"

Link smiled a weak smile, "Thanks, but from where I stand, it appears to be a long-shot." Link stretched out a long yawn before continuing. "I better go to bed; I was told that I have to escort this new kid in my class around, as if it is hard to find your way around our school."

Link's dad chuckled, "Yeah, especially if you have to dodge all 100 students that are in the high school alone."

Both Link and his dad laughed at this for a few minutes before Link retired for the night.

"Tomorrow is a big day," thought Link. "More insults from my tormentors and most likely a new one to help them."

While Link lay in bed, he was had the most peculiar dream. He was in a dark room with a young girl, about his age, strapped to the floor by chains. And there were four figures in the shadows, all of them laughing maniacally. The dream came to an end when one of the figures drew out a bow and shot an arrow at Link, he awoke from the dream right before the arrow struck is sternum.

Link sat up, breathing heavily with sweat glistening on his forehead, "Whoa, what the Hell was that all about?"

Link looked up at his window to realize that it was already morning. He got out of bed, mumbling several swear words to himself, and cursing the sun for being bright. When he managed to make it to the bathroom, he looked in the mirror to notice something odd.

"Wow, my eyes are more blue than usual, and their not blood-shot anymore," said Link in surprise. His eyes were in fact closer to the blue on the color spectrum than they were. Due to the stress of school and Link being an insomniac, they always looked bloodshot, much like the eyes they have on the eye drop commercials.

After discovering his eyes have changed over night, Link continued with his morning routine of showering, eating and brushing his teeth until he was ready to leave for school. "Later Mom, see ya Dad!" yelled Link as he went out the door. Link didn't hear much of an answer because he shut the door before his parents could reply.

He walked up his driveway to wait for the bus. He lived just outside of a small town, very far from any city, so he had to ride a bus every day. He didn't mind the bus ride, or the classes, it was the people that made him so miserable. Link usually tried to tune everyone out while he was at school, but the people here always knew they were getting on his nerves, so they continued to gnaw on his patience day-after-day.

Link arrived at the end of his driveway moments before the bus arrived. "Here we go again," said Link under his breath.

Link progressed through his bus until he found his usual seat in the back, right next to his biggest tormentor. Link would sit somewhere else, but the bus was always full, leaving him that seat.

"Hey Rick," moaned Link. He would prefer to not say anything at all to Rick, but on lucky occasions if Link greets him in the morning, then Rick will ignore him. But there are other days . . .

"Hey, are you ready to get your ass stuffed in a locker today?" threatened Rick with a smirk that said, I kick ass, and I use you to prove it.

"Do I have a choice?" retorted Link, as he turned his head to look out the window.

"Actually you do," chimed Rick, in a tone that seemed almost brotherly.

This caught Link's attention, "What is it?"

"Do you want to go in head first or feet first?" laughed Rick.

"Ooooh, that is such a hard decision, why don't you pick for me," replied Link, cross-eyed and thumping his chest with his hand.

At that Rick balled up his fist and slugged him in the arm, "Smart-ass."

Link rubbed his arm and just turned away, wishing that he could knock Rick a good one without getting in trouble or worrying about Rick's friends attacking him.

Link's gaze moved to the other students at the front of the bus. Those who watched the incident between him and Rick were either laughing or giving him the thumbs up. He gave credit to those in this town that applauded his come-backs towards Rick and his cronies. If there was anything that he saw eye-to-eye with them, it was that Rick was an asshole.

As soon as Link got off the bus, he headed for the office so he could help the new student. Link was mumbling swear words all the way to the door to the office when he saw the new student for the first time. Her eyes were a deep blue, like a swimming pool on a moonless night. And her hair was sandy-blonde, which reminded Link of a post card of a tropical beach he's seen on a postcard. Link looked at the girl and couldn't help but feel that he's seen her before. Or perhaps he didn't feel that he's seen her before, maybe he really has seen her. That is...That is the girl that was…Nah, that couldn't be the girl in my dream . . . could it?

"Hi, my name's Zelda, what's yours?" chirped the new student.

"Uh…Link," replied Link while rolling his eyes. Ugh, a morning person. "I'm the one who will be escorting you around this humongous school." Link waved his arms in the air to exaggerate the size of the school.

Zelda giggled, "I take it you have a sarcastic sense of humor?"

Link was taken aback, "What? It's about time that someone in this place finds it amusing. At least you're intelligent enough to know what sarcasm is."

"I hope that wasn't a joke," said Zelda putting her hands on her hips and trying desperately not to smile. "I feel like I know you from somewhere. Like I've seen you somewhere, I just don't know where."

Link felt nervous, he also has that feeling, only because of his dream, "Hehehe yeah, I also have that feeling, have I seen you somewhere before?"

Link and Zelda walk out of the office and Link started to show Zelda around the school, which to no surprise at all took next to no time at all, trying not to get distracted by his thoughts of the dream and how familiar this new stranger is. It's probably just a coincidence. Either way, she's very personable.