Blizzaga Saga: I wrote this years ago, but it had serious flaws and I never finished it, so Rogue 2k8 and I are working together to edit/resurrect it. This is another one of those "A new Link goes on a new adventure" stories. It takes place many decades after Ocarina of Time and features Saria, a new Link, other familiar faces, and some original characters. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: "A Timid Soul"
Link heard nothing over the wind shaking the trees; the usual quiet, the reason he came here, was lost to the strange weather. Finding it hard to focus with the wild gusts chilling him, he felt as dull as the overcast sky, but he continued nonetheless. Though it unnerved him that someone could approach and watch without him knowing, the same determination that brought him here every day pushed him forward. He would get stronger. He would get faster. He would get better.
The normally simple task of attaching targets to random places within the forest clearing proved difficult with the breeze, and when he resigned himself to practicing archery without them, the intense wind blew his sweaty bangs into his eyes. Small whirlwinds stirred up leaves and dirt, carrying the arrows from his light child's bow off course. For half an hour he defied the weather, but at length he conceded that worthwhile training was impossible right now.
Disappointed, he stashed his bow and unsheathed a small dull sword, but holding the poses he had known for years tired him out unusually quickly. Everything he had practiced countless times was suddenly awkward and taxing, and before long he placed his hands on his knees, panting. Where was his usual energy?
Angry with himself, he resolved to try again later and walked the short path leading back to town, dragging his feet across dirt and rocks. He felt inexplicably heavy, graceless, like he had never exercised before and was moving about for the first time in his life. When he stumbled, the wind tricked him into thinking he heard a girlish giggle from a bush off to the side. He froze self-consciously and peered in the bush's direction, but no one was there. He kept going and shook his head, ignoring the effect it had on his headache.
In the village outside the buffer provided by the trees, the wind blew more aggressively, adding to the chill he'd felt all day. He decided to go home and warm up before a voice called out.
"Hey, Link!"
Deep, confident, and cheerful…He recognized it immediately. "Hey, you're back," he replied hoarsely but enthusiastically.
From the town gate, a young man with a large sword strapped to his back and a smirk on his face ventured to meet him. A foot and a half taller than Link, he came to a stop in front of the boy, standing proudly with his arms crossed. Poise and strength radiated from him, and Link felt better able to compose himself in his presence.
"How's it going, kid? Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah…but…" Link looked around, taking in the peace he felt from the abandoned town.
The young man smiled down at him before taking a seat on the edge of the town's well. "We're all going to miss Kakariko. Lots of memories. You and I have certainly left our mark in that forest clearing. Still, I bet you're looking forward to getting out of here and joining the others, aren't ya? Most everyone's gone already. It's like a ghost town."
"Are we leaving tomorrow?" Link could tell that the warrior had to concentrate to hear his voice over the wind.
"No. Castle Town is really crowded right now with all of Kakariko's people living there. They need time to make more room. I'll take the next group in a few days, and when I get back I'll take you and the last group."
Link took a seat next to him. "…I don't know if I'm ready to live with that many people," he admitted hesitantly.
"I hate to say it, but you're going to have to. Times are hard, and we all have to make sacrifices. I know you're uncomfortable around other people, but you'll get used to it. Besides, I heard they just opened up a school to teach people swordsmanship so they can defend themselves if the monsters get worse. You ought to join. Orca's getting too old to look after your training, and I'm not around regularly enough to check on your progress. If you go, you'll learn, gain some new rivals, and maybe even make a few friends too. If you quit fooling around with your bow and that little ocarina and really apply yourself with the sword, you'll go far. We need good fighters in dangerous times like these."
"You know I don't play the ocarina anymore. My dad says it's a waste of time. We can't bother with silly things like that with Hyrule in the shape it's in now."
Stan's grin was as broad as his chest. "That's a very grown-up decision. Orca would be proud to hear you say that."
"I know."
"I haven't had a chance to talk to you much about it, but how have you been coping these past few months? With all the monsters popping up lately, you probably haven't been able to leave the village in weeks."
"It's okay…I always have the woods if I feel I need to get away."
"That's good to hear. I'm sorry you and Orca are last to leave. Some of the others were impatient. I guess they didn't feel safe."
"It's fine…" Link said. There was a pause while the taller of the two ran a hand through his short brown hair, likely tired from his latest journey. Link was tired as well: his eyes felt heavy, though it was not even supper time. A question lingered on his mind, one he'd wanted to ask for weeks. "Is it scary escorting people to Castle Town?"
"Nope! Nothing out there can scare me. I'm Stan the Man! As long as I'm strong and have a sword, I'll make it in this life. No monsters can touch me, and the ones that have come close have only made me stronger!" Link stared in shock. Stan was stronger than he'd been before? Was that even possible? "So I trust you've been keeping up with your sword practice? Orca probably nags you all the time about it. Have you gotten any better? I hope you haven't been wasting your time shooting little twigs at things while I was away."
"I've been practicing, but I'm not any better. I might have actually gotten worse," he said dejectedly.
The man eyed him critically. "Hey, you all right? You look like you're about to fall asleep."
"Y-yes, I'm fine."
The swordsman did not look convinced. "Are you sure? You're a bit pale, and your voice is even quieter than normal. We can wait a day to spar if you need it."
Link shook his head forcefully. "No, this is part of my training. Dad will be upset with me if I slack off."
A roaring laughter erupted from the man. "Ah ha ha! Good for you! Orca always was hard on people. Brings back memories. Well, if you're sure, let's get started!"
Despite his conviction, Link did not feel like getting up just yet. "But…out here?"
"Don't worry. No one's watching, if that's what you're worried about, especially not Orca. The guy hardly leaves the house these days."
"He's…been really sad about that."
"I know. I hope I never live long enough to have my strength leave me. So to make sure that never happens, you have to become good enough to kill me, okay?" Link did not mention how strongly he doubted that would ever happen as the two stood and unsheathed their weapons.
Link cringed at his performance. They did not spar: rather, Stan tested Link's defenses. But although Stan did not make full use of his abilities, Link had an unusually difficult time defending. He was certainly trying: the boy's face showed the utmost concentration. It also showed fatigue, however.
Stan slowed down to give his opponent time to find his rhythm, but at length it became clear this would not happen. He sighed and sheathed his sword. As Link breathed deeply to catch his breath, he hung his head low, already knowing what would come next.
"You're lying about being okay. Your performance today was terrible. You're sick or tired or something's bothering you, and we're done here until you get over it. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Stan…"
Sympathy overcame him, seeing the forlorn youth. "Ah, don't look so depressed. Everyone has bad days. I'm sure you'll be back on track to becoming a swordsman in no time!"
Link did not lift his gaze. "Thanks…"
"Anyway, I'm going to talk to the next group I have to lead. You know, make sure they're ready and all that. I'll see you later."
Link let his long blonde hair hang in front of his eyes as Stan left so no one could tell how ashamed he was. Stan was right, of course, but Link knew his father would hear no excuses for his recent regression in skill level. He wanted to avoid that discussion for as long as possible, but he was so cold. Cold, tired, achy, and nauseous. He needed to rest and warm up indoors, and that meant going home. A frigid blast of air hit him propelled the shivering boy toward his house.
He easily navigated the empty paths between wooden buildings. The normally busy town was dead, noise coming only from the relentless wind and the boy's movements. He thought to himself that running through the village while it was like this would make him very happy if he were well. In this solitude he was free from the stares of others, and their words could not reach him.
Hurrying through the door to one of the smaller, more neglected buildings, he quickly shut it against the wind.
"Link? Is that you?" a congested voice called out.
"Yes, dad…"
A tall old man shuffled toward him. The one-room house was barren, its inhabitants having packed away most everything in preparation of their leaving—Link could not remember a time when less swords and spears hung from the wall—but Orca still had difficulty moving through it.
Once an immensely powerful man, his strength had left him in old age. His thin, wrinkled body was plainly visible on his shirtless form. Unable to move much in recent years, his arms were reduced to twigs, and little folds of fat had replaced what Link remembered as a toddler to be nothing but muscle. Long white hairs covered his chest, back, arms, and shoulders, cradling crumbs and specks of dirt, while nothing remained on the top of his head. His eyes reflected no energy, only the sorrow of a tired used-up man, an emptiness which frightened Link when he looked into them for too long.
Orca walked for what Link presumed to be the first time that day. The labored breathing and only half-attentive stare which had become the norm accompanied his strained voice. "Have you completed your training for the day?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. I would like to see you practice some day when I am more mobile."
Link did not reply to that. He took his leather boots off and placed them against a wall, noticing that the usual clutter he kept in that spot was gone. "This place is so bare…but there's never been much here other than battle gear, has there?" Orca did not answer, and Link suspected his poor hearing was to blame. He spoke in a loud voice reserved for his father. "Everyone else's houses used to be filled with so many extra things before we started leaving. You remember, don't you? It always seemed silly to you and me that they had that extra stuff. It probably made it hard for them to leave. Do you think you'll miss our house when we leave?"
Orca thought for a moment. "A warrior can make his home anywhere."
The blonde's gaze fell to the floor. "…I see. I'm going to bed."
"So soon? Is it late already? I confess I haven't been outside today."
"The sun hasn't set, but I'm not feeling well." He knew exactly what to say next to prevent a lecture. "I'm going to rest so I can train twice as hard tomorrow."
His words had the desired effect: for the briefest moment, the old man's eyes lit up, in pride or happiness perhaps. "If that's the case, then I won't disturb you. Now that I'm on my feet, I think I'll get something to eat. All the food in this house has gone bad, and I'm tired of the same thing every day."
"Will you need help?"
"I won't go very far. Besides, a little exercise will be good for me. I'll be gone for a while, though: Stan's supposed to be back today. I need to talk to him about what will become of this village when we leave. You'll probably be asleep when I get back."
"Okay. Good night, dad." With great effort, Orca put on a heavy shirt and left. The wind that came in before the door shut again motivated Link to get in bed right away. He did not even bother to change out of his simple brown shirt and leggings before pulling the blanket over him.
He was so tired that he expected to pass out the instant he got into bed, but he was frustrated to find that lying down increased the pain in his head and, worse, made his nose stuffy. Apparently falling asleep would be just as difficult as the rest of his day had been.
Rest came intermittently, embracing him for a few minutes at a time before releasing him into the painful realm of consciousness again. He fought on, determined to get at least a little sleep before he had to start training tomorrow, but just before he succeeded, his stomach lurched.
In a panic he rose and rushed outside, where he retched and retched until dry heaves racked his body, and then the boy collapsed in an exhausted heap. Staring up at the night sky, he thought miserably that it wouldn't be long before the sun rose and his morning exercises began.
Despite his fatigue, he was now wide awake thanks to all the vomiting and decided he might as well empty his bladder now that he had emptied his stomach. A minute later he added his boots, weapon, and a thick long-sleeve tunic to his outfit and was on his way to the woods at the village's end.
He reveled in the silence, but as he looked at the surroundings he'd known his whole life, he wondered whether life would be better or worse after he left. He could not help having pessimistic thoughts when he considered the great numbers of people he'd have to endure in his new living space.
He walked without paying much attention to anything until voices reached him from around a house corner. People were talking about him. He might have changed routes and kept walking, but when he recognized one of the voices as Orca's, Link quieted his footsteps and pressed his back against the wall.
Link recognized the voice of Mr. Brandon, Brittany's father. "Why don't you ease up on the lad tomorrow, Orca? He's clearly sick. He won't accomplish anything by training until he's better."
"Training is only meaningful if done regularly," said Orca, solemn and reasonable as always. "He still has much to learn."
"He's made incredible progress in the past few years! No one his age could beat him in a duel."
"Yet he is still no match for a trained adult."
"Of course he's not! He's a kid!" the angry voice of Brittany's mother cut in. "Honestly, what do you want from him? He's not Stan! He's only fourteen!"
A short silence followed. Link thought he had lost their conversation in the wind until Orca spoke in a tone Link had never heard from him: smug, knowing, almost amused. Orca was never amused.
"No. He will be even better than Stan someday." His eyes widening, Link wondered if his father was well. Surely he wasn't serious.
"Link will never be like Stan. Stan is probably one of the best swordsmen in Hyrule, and if all goes well he could become a knight someday. The royal family has taken great interest in him since he began leading Kakariko's evacuation. I'm not saying your boy doesn't have potential, but it's unfair to ask him to duplicate Stan's progress. Give him a break."
"I understand what you are saying, but his training must continue."
"Orca…there's no easy way to say this. We've been talking it over. Your 'training' is dangerous to Link's health. He's been getting sick and losing his appetite too often lately. Have you seen how much weight the boy's lost?"
"He hardly ever smiles anymore," the mother added. "When was the last time you hugged him? He flinches when you approach like he's afraid you're going to punish him. He's taking your teachings about not letting emotions control you to an extreme that just isn't healthy for a growing young man. Aside from you and Stan, my daughter is the only one he'll open up to."
"All I will say is that I have my reasons."
"I'd hoped this day would never come, friend. I've put this talk off for so long hoping the issue would resolve itself. But as you've grown older, you've…you've become, well…"
"I am not senile, if that's what you're trying to say."
"Well it's either that, or you're so desperate to prove you still have a stake in this world that you're trying to outdo the success you had training Stan."
"My reasons have nothing to do with selfish desire. I am preparing him."
"For what? And how? By keeping him sick?"
"I am not trying to weaken him. As for what, I'm afraid you would not understand."
"We can't let him keep living like this. When we go to Castle Town, Link will live with us. And you will live with us too, if that's what it takes. But the training will stop until he has more than just skin on his bones."
The group argued, and unable to listen anymore, Link ran away in shock until he reached the forest's edge. His back to the village, he let loose a stream of yellow water while he caught his breath, and he found to his horror that he had no opinion of the events he had witnessed. Did he want to stay with his father? He did not know. Living with Brittany would be nice. Still, Orca was his dad.
Any chance he might have had of getting a good night's rest was gone. Link needed more than ever to be alone and collect his thoughts. The forest clearing was not an option—he could not see well enough under the trees at night to get there—so instead he took the nearby path to the town's graveyard.
Unfortunately, laughter and loud young voices greeted him there. Apparently the village's remaining children had gathered for one last night of fun before they left. They sat around a bonfire, and in their merriment they didn't seem to care how late it was.
"Will you quiet down?" Dampe, the nocturnal grave keeper, snapped irritably as he dug a new grave. "You've no right to bother me or the dead with your inane happiness."
"It's okay, Mr. Dampe!" one of the kids said cheerfully. "We're just telling ghost stories! I bet the dead love being talked about!"
Old, ugly, hunchbacked, and pale from many years of only coming out at night, Dampe made a frightening figure as he glowered at them. "You know nothing of the dead. Why couldn't you have done this in town? The dead and I just want to be left alone, so get out!"
"Try and make us!" one of the bolder boys challenged. In response, Dampe dropped his shovel. He narrowed his eyes at the boy before placing a pair of glasses over them.
"Those may help you see us, but they won't help you catch us!" The kids eagerly stood for a game of chase, but Dampe shook his head.
"I will not force you out. If you children knew anything of the horrors of the dead, you would piss your pants and run home crying for your mothers. Therefore…" he grinned maliciously, taking a place at their circle. "I will enlighten you."
They all cheered and sat back down, and a girl of eleven noticed Link. "Hey, Link!" Her long red hair shook as she waved energetically. "Dampe's gonna tell us a ghost story! Come sit with us!"
"Don't invite Link! He's weird!" several protested, but Link made his way next to her. Her smile widened when he offered a small one, ignoring the effect the fire's heat had on his tired eyes.
"Hello, Brittany."
"Now then…Do you know the full tale of the Tragedy of Time?"
"Aw, Dampe, not that one! We hear it all the time from our parents!" There was a great clamor of agreement before Dampe silenced it with a snarl.
"That story is an important part of Hyrule's history, possibly the most important poem ever written! Everyone should know it. Besides, I don't mean to tell you what you've already heard. I'm going to tell you the parts of the story your parents held back, the gruesome details they thought your young minds were too weak to handle."
Appeased and eager, the crowd stopped complaining and huddled closer to the man trying to get rid of them.
"You know the basic story: 130 years ago, the King of Evil attempted to take over Hyrule, and by trying to stop him two ignorant children accidentally granted him access to the Triforce. But the two children became the Hero of Time and Princess of Destiny and defeated him, saving the world. You were told the story has a happy ending, but the story does not end there."
"You mean the Princess and the Hero did more after that? Did they get married?" Brittany asked excitedly, and several boys made a show of being disgusted while Link raised an eyebrow at her.
"None of what they did after their adventure is known. What I meant was that you were not told the correct story. Your parents coddled you with sugar-coated fairy tales, but think, you little pests, why would a tragedy have a happy ending?"
"You mean…it didn't? Did the Hero die?"
Dampe laughed and flashed a creepy grin in the glow of the fire. "No, but I bet that if we could go inside his head, we'd find that he wishes he would die, wishes he could die."
Most of the audience was still excited, but a few began to look nervous. As Dampe peered at them through his glasses, he seemed to be daring them to muster up their courage.
"The truth is that there is no happy ending, because the story is not over. It may never be over. By allowing Ganondorf to touch the Triforce, the two children doomed Hyrule and themselves to an eternal struggle. Every few generations, the Hero of Time and Princess of Destiny will be reborn to fight the King of Evil once more for the Triforce. If they lose, evil will grip this kingdom forever. But if they win, there is no reward, for evil never rests: they will continue to be reborn and fight for the safety of Hyrule until the end of time, knowing that if they mess up even once the land is doomed. That is the Tragedy of Time: to fight forever, and to have no choice in the matter." He threw a glance at the new grave he had dug. "So many have died, all for a senseless battle that will never cease. Infants, monsters, Hylians, Gorons…"
Dampe wove horrifically detailed accounts of the mangled bodies he had buried and the legendary slaughters in the Tragedy of Time, and Link stiffened when Brittany hugged his arm for security. Just before Link was about to lead her away, a new arrival broke the spell of fear the grave keeper had cast.
"Stop scaring them, Dampe."
"Stan!" many of the children exclaimed, standing to hug or tackle him.
"Hey, now, let's not hurt anyone!" he joked.
"Oh, it's the village idiot," Dampe deadpanned, somehow more annoyed than before. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You have no right to give them nightmares like this," he answered fiercely.
"They came to bother me, not the other way around. I suppose that's a bit much for you to understand."
"I'm taking them to their homes."
"But Stan, we can't leave yet!" one whined. "We still haven't heard a good ghost story!"
Stan chuckled, his fierceness melting into his usual good humor. "All right, fine. I'll tell you one story, and then you all have to go back home, okay?"
Dampe scowled. "Ugh, great. I have to endure yet more idiocy. Be sure you all leave after this."
"Be sure you never frighten these children again," Stan shot back. The old man simply returned to his digging. "Now then, which story do you all want to hear?"
"Tell us about the Stalchildren and the Stalfos!"
Everyone voiced their agreement, and a subtle sadness flickered across Stan's face. Link feared the consequences of the suggestion, but the melancholy disappeared before anyone else detected it. Stan's expression was no longer cheerful, but pensive. Link decided it did not suit him.
"Very well. Long ago when the goddesses Din, Nayru, and Farore were still shaping this world, they created a place south of Hyrule called the Lost Woods. It was a dark, cursed forest where a race of children lived. It's said that the light of the goddesses could not reach them through the cover of the trees, so they became wicked and mischievous and never grew into adults. The forest children, the Kokiri, are immortal, so they still exist today, and they torture any foolish enough to enter their domain."
Link watched the changes in his expression carefully. Stan was becoming engrossed in his story as though reliving a memory. The others mistook the storyteller's passion for enthusiasm and crowded closer.
"Many Hylians have gone there to search for treasure and mythical creatures called fairies, but when they enter the Lost Woods, the Kokiri play tricks on them. The Hylians get lost and wander aimlessly until they die, but only their flesh expires. Their souls and skeletons remain, forever wandering and confused. They become Stalfos if they are adults or Stalchildren if they are young, and these are the creatures that have been popping up across Hyrule Field, the reason we have to leave Kakariko. The scary part is that no one knows how to stop them. They can be destroyed, but it seems that no matter how many the knights of Hyrule defeat, more appear to terrorize the kingdom. The—"
A shrill cry cut him off, and everyone turned to where a screaming little boy pointed, his eyes wide with terror. Rising from one of the graves at the back of the cemetery, a purple mist which had no place in the natural world took the shape of a phantom carrying a lantern. The children yelled and backed away while Link and the two adults looked on in shock.
"It's a Poe!" Dampe gasped in disbelief.
Transparent at first, the apparition gradually took on solid colors: black for its face, dark purple for the rest of its body, and a bright burning yellow for its evil eyes. Floating above the ground, it laughed and swung its lantern in glee as it surveyed its surroundings. The flame in its lantern glowed more intensely when its gaze fell on the living creatures before it, and Link gulped as it flew through the bonfire directly at them, ready to burn as many people as it could.
Even in his groggy state, Link had already drawn his sword and positioned himself between the enemy and the children. But as quickly as the situation escalated, Stan raced forward with a speed Link thought was impossible even for the grown warrior and slashed his massive blade in two mighty arcs. The ghost faded away into nothing, letting out an inhuman screech that pierced the darkness.
All were still for a moment while the fire continued to crackle and roar. Stan kept his sword drawn and looked around warily for anything else that might have appeared. When it was clear the ordeal was over, he turned on Dampe.
"Is your hatred of me really so strong that it created a Poe?!"
Dampe was all too ready to lash back. "A ghost appears and you blame me? This is beyond even your stupidity! If you were good at anything other than swinging that weapon around—like thinking, let's say—you'd be getting everyone home instead of berating me!"
Stan turned toward the group. "We're going home, everyone." They followed him obediently, too frightened to separate, but Link noticed the pack was short by one adult.
"Are you coming, Mr. Dampe?" he asked timidly.
Even in times of emergency, the deformed Hylian managed to look disgusted with everyone around him. "I'd rather stay and die than follow that fool."
"Stan only means to help."
Dampe laughed darkly. "You know, Link, the other kids are annoying, but you're all right. You always tread so…carefully." Dampe unnerved him, staring at him with those glasses on. Link could not look back. He felt as though the old man were peering into his soul and judging him. "I hope your dad doesn't succeed in making you into another Stan. Hyrule doesn't need any more morons."
"Everyone else is already gone," Link replied, still not looking directly at him. "We should hurry."
"I've told you my decision. I'm the grave keeper; it's my job to guard this place from the living and the dead. I must see if I can calm the spirits buried here."
"B-but—"
"Go back to the group," he said, losing his patience. "I will not budge."
Link left him and pushed his aching body to catch up with the others. Back in the village, many had already disbanded and were fleeing in various directions to their houses, but the shaken Brittany had not yet left Stan's side.
"Link, take her home."
With a nod, he did just that. Too petrified to speak, she stayed closer to him than was necessary, and he could not find any words to say that didn't sound stupid in his mind.
"Link!" Mrs. Brandon greeted with surprise when he opened the door to her house. "What brings you here? Oh my goodness! Brittany, what happened to you?"
He resisted the urge to pull away when Brittany grabbed his hand. "A Poe appeared in the graveyard," he explained, his throat suddenly sore. "Everyone's fine. Stan destroyed it and is taking everyone home. Dampe's keeping watch in case more appear."
He willingly stepped aside as the little girl's mother hugged her. "It's okay, baby. Dampe, Stan, your father, and I will make sure nothing happens to you. And Link is here too, right?"
Link did not expect to be brought into this discussion. "Y-yes," he stammered.
"Now scoot up to bed, okay?"
Brittany made to do so, but first wrapped her arms around him in a wordless expression of thanks. Link awkwardly embraced the girl a full head shorter than he before she ran up a set of stairs to her room. Seeing nothing else to do, he moved to leave.
"Link."
He froze in his tracks. "Y-yes?"
"Thank you for looking after her. She's lucky to have a friend like you."
"It's nothing…"
"She really looks up to you. You're like Stan, except you actually make time to be around her."
There was a pause while she looked at him in a motherly way and he shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "Where's Mr. Brandon?"
"Oh, he's talking to Orca somewhere. The three of us were discussing something important a few minutes ago, but I got tired and came back."
"I'm tired too. I'm going home."
"Hold up a moment. There's something I want to talk with you about first. It has to do with what my husband and your father are discussing." He continued facing the door, unable to bear the emotion in her eyes. "I…I'd hoped to put this off, but somehow the timing seems right. Brittany really likes you, and she needs someone strong to lean on in strange times like this. Link…When we go to Castle Town, would you like to—"
To his relief, dry heaves racked his body just in time to keep her from finishing her question. He rushed outside and fell onto all fours while spit and chunks of partially-digested food dribbled from his mouth.
Mrs. Brandon was instantly by his side again. "Oh, you poor thing! I didn't know you were still this sick. Come on, let's get you home."
"I can make it myself," he insisted between coughs, but she pulled him up by the arm, making his vision swim, and led him to his house. He was too weak to do anything but let himself be dragged.
He didn't realize he was home until she removed his boots and forced him onto his bed. "Let's get you tucked in. I see Orca's still not back yet." She shook her head disapprovingly. "He should be here taking care of you…but I suppose that can't be helped."
His eyes closed, and she dared to place a palm on his forehead. Immediately his eyes snapped open and he flinched away from her, backing away as far as the small bed would allow, and he felt guilty when Mrs. Brandon looked horribly sad.
"Try and get some sleep, dear," she soothed. "I'm of course worried about my kid, but I'm worried about you too. Don't push yourself too hard tomorrow or my family won't be able to do anything but worry about you. I'll put a bucket by the bed in case you have to throw up again. Good night."
He relaxed once she left. To his pleasant surprise, his head didn't hurt as much as it had when he lay in bed an hour ago. Rather than a throbbing pain which allowed rest only between pulses, he now felt a dull ache numbed by fatigue. Sleep came easily.
"Time to get up, son."
"Orca, don't you dare!"
Link instantly regretted opening his eyes. Thought dim, the light shining through his window exacerbated his headache, and as he squinted, two quarreling figures came into focus.
"Go back to sleep, Link."
"Let's get some food in us," Orca said, completely ignoring Mr. Brandon.
The boy groaned and slowly sat up, disappointed to find he felt only a little better than he had yesterday. How long had he slept? Judging from the angle at which the sunlight hit him, not very long.
"You're pale as a ghost," Mr. Brandon declared loudly, both to inform Link and to make a point to Orca. "Lie back down. Your father and I will talk outside."
"That is not necessary," Orca informed the other adult calmly. "I've said all I want to."
"It's okay, Mr. Brandon," Link said weakly, hoping to diffuse the tension. "I'm fine. I'm going to get up now. I have a lot to do today…right, dad?" He did his best to mask the effort it took to stand.
"Right."
Mr. Brandon silently fumed, knowing he had lost. "We will discuss this more at a later time. Make sure you eat a good breakfast, Link. You need to replenish your strength."
He exited, leaving father and son to themselves, and Link asked if they had any food left.
"Bread is all we have. It's hard to make food with everyone gone. I'm not much hungry, so you can have it."
"Thank you. I'm going to the forest clearing to eat."
Link wobbled on his feet and left quickly, though the old man wouldn't have been able to follow no matter his pace. He needed to get away from his father, away from everyone. He felt too weak to endure another person's presence.
His sick body needed food and sleep, but since he was forbidden one, he would have to get as much of the other as possible to make up for it. He restrained his eating to a slow pace for fear of throwing up again, but the bread was still gone long before he reached the forest's edge. Suddenly he had nothing to do but start training again, but he stopped before disappearing into the trees.
Stan. He needed to talk to Stan. Stan would know what to do. He hadn't seen the warrior on his walk through the village, but Stan wasn't like everyone else and wouldn't be sleeping at this hour. At once the fight with the Poe came to mind, and Link changed course to the graveyard.
Once there, though, he found he was utterly alone. He walked to where the fight had taken place, but Stan did not magically appear the moment his feet landed on the correct bit of cobblestone. Link unsheathed his sword, trying to remember the fluid motions Stan had used last night. He had seen the swordsman use that double-strike before, a deadly sequence of directional attacks which took advantage of his absurd strength.
"Fancy yourself a fighter, boy?"
Link almost dropped his weapon. "D-Dampe? I'm sorry! I thought you were..."
"Normally I would sleep during the day, but after last night I thought it best to stay up a bit longer than usual."
"Oh…" Link looked down. How did Dampe always know what he was going to say?
"Don't look so embarrassed. Why are you here? Don't tell me you came looking for that fool."
Link was relieved that the old man did not have his glasses on; it made talking to him easier. "I…need his help with something."
"Indeed. Quite the situation you're in with Mr. and Mrs. Brandon." Link looked at him inquisitively. "You didn't think I knew? I hear all the nonsensical musings of the idiots in this village. They want to force you into their family so their daughter will feel safe. How noble," he muttered sarcastically. "Most girls are married off between twelve and sixteen. When Brittany reaches that age, they might even try to marry you to her. What a mess. Do you honestly expect good advice from Stan?"
"He's always helped me in the past," Link asserted, "and he knows my dad as well as I do. He's bound to have an opinion on…on…"
"On whether Orca's gone soft in the onion? On whether you should abandon your old man?" Dampe shook his head, annoyed. "Do yourself a favor. Make the decision yourself and don't listen to any advice that knucklehead—"
"He's not a knucklehead!" Link surprised himself with that outburst, small though it was, and felt ashamed for letting his emotions get the best of him. He waited with baited breath for a scolding, but Dampe only laughed.
"Right," he snickered. "My mistake. I wouldn't want to insult your precious hero. He's already left to take the next group to Castle Town. The Poe that appeared last night has everyone spooked, so the second-to-last group left early."
"But," Link said quietly, "I could really use his help. I don't want to have to choose."
"Making tough choices and not letting others make them for you is part of growing up, and you're going to have to grow up fast: the last time someone saw a Poe was 130 years ago when the King of Evil ruled. For one to appear now has to be an ill omen. People will be relying on you in the days ahead, I'm sure."
He swallowed the phlegm in his throat. "You're right. Thank you, Dampe."
Dampe smiled for one of the first times Link could remember. "Get out of here and make your choice. I don't need anyone pestering me."
Link resolved to make his decision after he finished the day's training, and for the next few hours he went through the mechanical motions of stretching, falling into different poses, and swinging his sword within the forest clearing. His ailing body protested every step of the way, but he pushed himself as he did every day. He trained with the same goal which always motivated him: to improve until one day he could think of himself as something other than weak.
The weather was warm come midday, not at all like it had been yesterday. The sunlight which reached him through the trees gave him a headache, and moving made it worse. Feeling the effects of sleep deprivation, he sat against a tree and gave in to his body's needs.
Link woke to a man calling his name. The footsteps accompanying the voice were too clumsy and unsure of the path to be Stan's. With a yawn, he announced his presence, and Mr. Brandon appeared in the clearing.
"Are you busy?"
Link tensed, still undecided on the question he anticipated would come next. "No. I just finished practicing."
"Good. Brittany is sick. She wants to see you."
Link climbed to his feet despite his nausea. "Is she all right?"
"She has a very high fever. It's probably whatever you have. Thank goddesses the doctor didn't leave with Stan's group today. He's already been by to drop off some medicine. She'll be fine, but she wants to see you before she goes to sleep."
"Of course. Of course I'll come see her," he responded automatically, picking up his weapon and following the man down the short trail.
"So…how are you feeling?"
"About leaving?"
"No, your health. I was surprised you could get out of bed this morning."
"I'm fine. My dad's taught me to be strong," Link replied, paying close attention to Mr. Brandon's reaction, but Brittany's father only joked in response.
"Right. You know, you've gotten pretty thin. Are you trying to lose weight to impress someone?"
The man was holding back a comment, Link could tell. He decided to push further. "He wants me to purify my body of all weakness." Neither Link nor his father had ever wanted Link to reach the state he was currently in, of course, but Link sensed more behind Mr. Brandon's actions than just wanting Brittany's friend to visit her, and he needed to know what.
"Oh. Well, becoming stronger is an admirable goal." The man was not speaking his heart. Clearly he wanted to avoid driving the boy off until they reached the house, but why?
They arrived before he could form an answer. On the second floor, Brittany was tucked snugly under a blanket. "Hi, Link!" she greeted happily despite her bedridden state. Her red hair framed a face which looked sickly pale by comparison.
He managed a small smile. At least her demeanor was normal. "Hi. How are you?"
"I have to meet your mother somewhere. Don't give Link any trouble while I'm away, all right? I won't be gone long."
A moment later, Link was the oldest person in the house. He stared wide-eyed at the exit, surprised and slightly offended by the bold move. Did Mr. Brandon really think that Link wouldn't notice something was amiss? Link knew in ordinary circumstances the two loving parents would never leave their sick child's side. They were manipulating him and Brittany somehow.
Brittany seemed ignorant to any ulterior motives. "Mom and dad said I have to sleep, but I'm not tired!"
"Good. Hopefully your condition isn't too serious, then."
"Did you and Stan fight yesterday?"
Even while sick, she had so much energy. Maybe he could learn something from her. "Yes, we sparred, but I didn't do so well. He beat me again."
"Stan says he's gotten even better in the past few weeks. Are you better too?"
Link sighed. "No. I don't think I'll ever catch up to him."
"I bet you've gotten stronger!" she insisted. "Mom says you practice all the time. She says you even practice too much. I bet you could beat a Poe any day."
"I'm glad we didn't have to find out. Stan was terrific last night, wasn't he?"
"Yeah, but you would've kicked that ghost's butt. I wasn't scared, 'cuz I knew you were there."
He chose not to call her out on that lie and instead smiled knowingly. "That was quite a yawn. Are you sure you're not sleepy?"
"Not at all!" she declared defiantly. "Will you play me a lullaby on your ocarina?"
Link's smile fell. He listened and looked around nervously, making sure they were in fact alone. Then he retrieved a small potato-shaped instrument from his tunic. "Are you sure you want me to?" She nodded eagerly. "Okay. But you have to promise you won't tell anyone, all right? Stan and my dad still don't know I've been practicing. This will be our little secret."
He smiled once more at the happiness in her eyes. She obviously felt special that he trusted her with this. He began to play the simple, slow lullaby he had played for her many times, and at various points she hummed along with it. By the end, her eyes closed. She wasn't asleep, but she certainly wasn't energetic anymore.
"Go to sleep," Link whispered gently. "You're more tired than you think. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"My birthday's coming up," she mumbled. "Are you getting me a present?"
"Maybe," he said in a tone that let her know the answer was yes. "Go to sleep. I'll see you later."
She obeyed. Not knowing what else to do, Link silently crept downstairs and stepped out of the house. Mr. Brandon would not be happy with him for leaving her alone, but Link suspected that the father—and perhaps the mother as well—had not gone far.
His hunch was correct; the couple waited for him outside. "Ah, Link! I was just about to head back in. How's the little one?"
"Sleeping," he answered. "Hello, Mrs. Brandon."
"Hello. Did she get to spend much time with you before she drifted off? She was quite insistent."
Something clicked in Link's mind, and now he was sure of their motives. "No. She fell asleep without a word. She was pretty out of it." A twitch of the lips betrayed the couple's disappointment, but they recovered quickly.
"Well, I'm glad she's finally getting some sleep. Thank you for watching her."
"You're welcome. Did you take care of your errand?"
"Yes. You can leave now if you want. We'll keep an eye on her."
On his way home, Link noticed that more people milled about now that the sun was higher, and he avoided their gazes as he walked by. Not many remained, even less than he had seen yesterday. They busied themselves gathering their belongings, and in his feverish state Link despaired at the work which awaited him until he remembered that he and Orca had finished days ago. They hadn't had much to pack.
For the first time in many days, Orca was already on his feet when Link returned. "Link."
"Yes, father?"
"I need to talk to you." Despite this statement, they stood in silence for several moments, neither used to communicating with the other. "I can't remember the last time we spoke about something other than training, but…you know I love you, right? I've been strict with you, and we've never spoken of it, but don't think my harshness stems from lack of love. I've struck you more times than I've hugged you, but I do it to make you stronger. You have a dangerous life ahead of you, I've no doubt."
It disgusted Link that he was uncomfortable talking to his own father. "I know, dad."
"I'm sorry you've been getting so sick lately. That is my fault. I just don't want you to slack off."
"This is about what will happen when we move, isn't it?"
"…Yes." He closed his eyes. "There's a good chance I will not be able to take care of you. Life in Castle Town will be very hard, and there's not much work an old man like me can do."
"But we have some money saved. We never buy anything other than food. There has to be at least fifty rupees in this house."
"I'm sure that sounds like a lot to you, but it will not last long."
Silence blew over them once more. "…I'm going to have to live with the Brandon's from now on."
"Yes. …Well, I'm going to see what needs to be done around the village. I trust you've completed today's exercises?" Link nodded sadly. "Good. You should do as much as you can before we move. I doubt finding a place to practice in Castle Town will be easy. Stan said he could hardly walk there without having to brush past someone."
Link understood that Orca was giving him silent permission to sleep by leaving, and he fell onto his bed gratefully. Between naps he thought about what living with Brittany—and possibly without his dad—would be like, now that he had made his decision. For the rest of the day he did little else but sleep and think.
To his happy astonishment, Link felt fantastic the next day: tired, but no longer achy or feverish for the first time in weeks. He started the day the same way he started every other day and devoted all his attention to training. No thought was spared for nonexistent ailments or for what to do about the conflict between his dad and Brittany's parents.
He actually looked forward to his new living situation. He still didn't fancy being around so many people, but it would be a nice break from the wordless monotony he and his father shared. His cheer created a confidence that carried over into his training. The path to becoming strong was clear again.
His good mood remained for the rest of the day, and before suppertime he ventured to Brittany's house to see her. Her parents barred him entrance, however.
"She's sleeping right now. I'm afraid she hasn't gotten any better. I'm sure she'd love to see you tomorrow, though."
He put her out of his mind and carried on training, daydreaming, and doing the chores involved with packing up a whole town. He remained optimistic, but when he tried to see her again the next day, the sight of her parents' expressions wiped the smile from his face.
"She's gotten worse. I'm sorry, Link, but she won't be able to see anyone today."
"She's worse? I thought the doctor came to see her."
Mr. Brandon struggled to keep the worry out of his voice. "His medicine isn't working. She hasn't woken since last night, and her fever just keeps rising."
"The doctor said that without medicine from Castle Town, she might die. There's no one left in the village who can make it across Hyrule Field safely, so we're going to wait until Stan gets back tomorrow and send him to buy a blue potion."
"Oh. All right…Let me know if there's anything I can do for her."
Stunned, Link left the scene, and at once a great guilt possessed him. He had spent time around her without any thought that he might inadvertently spread his illness. He brooded at home and thought once more about what his new life would be like. In particular, he wondered what he would do if Brittany died. Though young, she was his only friend excluding his father and Stan. He had always thought he could live without anyone, live the way Dampe did, but this belief was shaken by the realization of how much he really cared for the three most important people in his life.
Another thought came to him: it was still morning. He had not done his daily training yet, so he still felt energetic. He thought about how long it would be until Stan came back. Link's sword lay before him on the floor, halfway out of its sheathe as though begging to be used.
"Dad."
"Hm?"
"…I'm going out," he said and then rushed all over the house, gathering what rupees he could find into a pouch on his belt. He moved so quickly that he tripped and visited each potential money location more than once without realizing it.
Orca watched his son's frenzy in lazy, mute fascination, and his eyes lit up just as the boy left. Link ran to the gate of Kakariko, the only barrier between the village and Hyrule Field, and was going to run straight through when a voice stopped him.
"Link, wait!"
Link stopped and turned around to see Orca panting and walking to him as fast as his old body allowed. "Dad?"
"Link," he wheezed, "you must not go!"
"But Brittany—"
"I've heard, and I understand. But there's no guarantee she'll die if we wait an extra day for Stan to get back. You know how dangerous Hyrule Field is. There's a reason we built this huge gate. She could die if we wait, but you could die if you don't wait. I cannot allow you to go as you are now."
"Please, dad, you have to let me go!"
"Not alone. You are still just a boy."
"It will be faster if I go by myself. Please, dad!" he begged. "Brittany needs help now!"
It was the first time in years Link had raised his voice to him. Orca appeared awed by the boy's dramatic insistence. "…Perhaps it is time, then," he said quietly, as though to himself.
Link heard him, though. "Time for what?"
"I will not allow you to venture forth unarmed." Link pointed to his sword in protest, and Orca shook his head. "That dulled scrap of metal is only fit for training. Let me give you a real weapon." Link noticed that his father carried on his back a sword and shield, which he presently gave to him. "Take these. I can't say why, but it is of the utmost importance that you keep them near you at all times. Do this, and I'm sure you'll come back safely."
Link eyed them in wonder. Both sword and shield looked too big for him to use and were made of steel so polished he could see his reflection in it. They clearly were not cheap, yet they looked like they had never been used. "Father, I'm sure I've seen all your weapons, but I've never seen these before. Where did you get them?"
"There's no time for that," Orca replied sternly. "Get going."
Link paused, not understanding the situation. Then, "Thank you." He secured the items on his back, opened the gate, and bolted out into the world. Orca held the gate open and watched his son's retreating figure with a look of grim realization.