In this fic, Link wears his green tunic but has the other two stashed away. He's also going to be about Ricken's age (which I assume is 14). He'll have all his items except the Net and Hint Glasses although not upgraded. The Master Sword is upped to Lv3 (gold ver). As such, he will be slightly overpowered but not invincible.
I will make major adjustments to prevent him from being boring and too OP; he is a kid after all. F!Robin will be based upon build 2, face 2, hair 3, hair color 17 and voice 1, and aged 16. This story will be mostly told from Link's perspective and the stamina is replaced by magic (the meter, like from ALttP). This is during the beginning of the Walhart campaign. All right, please enjoy.
Courage Ablaze
Ch.1 "Lorule... Oh, Ferox?!"
To say he was surprised by the strange twist of the world crossing would be the understatement of the year. Fourteen-year-old Link of Hyrule, the chosen wielder of the Master Sword, had merged with the stone wall's dimensional crack that would take him to Death Mountain in Hyrule. That had been his intention. However, the bracelet he was given by Ravio suddenly decided to make his life even more terrible than it already was. He'd just saved Rosso, the ore miner from his imprisonment in the Ice Ruins, and now he was well on his way back to rest in the nearest Fairy Spring. Again, that had been his intention. The distortion caved in on the painting-form Link, his mouth wide open as if to scream. It was agony and yet it was not. He felt like a mysterious power was sucking him dry from his magic and turning him inside out. Gods, now he knew how his shirts felt like when he rung them dry!
Link cried out and it appeared to be the trigger for a blinding light burned to life from the back of his left, dominant hand. The youth peeled one eye halfway open to see the brightness that was his recently obtained Triforce of Courage, alight and ready. The green-clad Hylian gasped when it engulfed him in a circular sort of barrier, bringing him out of the painting form and into the flesh. He stared transfixed at the golden triangle of unending magic that ceased all his pains and worries just by sight itself. The distortion all around Link began to fizzle out and slowly replacing itself with a sky full of clouds. Wait, clouds? The sky? Where exactly was this place? Was it still somewhere within Lorule or Hyrule?
The spherical shield was descending down to the apparently white blanket of a ground below, Link noticed, and he seemed to be a beacon of light in the dark canvas as his background. From a distance, he saw what looked like a village; some houses had light in them, most likely from fireplaces or candles. The sudden thought of being near something so warm made him shiver; he'd crossed a death mountain - literally - full of snow, snow, oh yeah? More snow. It was cold and freezing, but thankfully his tunic wasn't bad at keeping him comfortable. Good ole Hyrulean quality cotton! Still, even with his Power Mitts on, his fingers felt frozen solid, the tips of his ears chillier than normal and it made traversing the Ice Ruins that much harder. It didn't help when those Wizzrobes fired ice magic at him to temporarily freeze him on the spot.
As his descent ended, the Triforce of Courage stopped glowing, dulling to a faint yellow triangle on his hand. His boots crunched under something cold, wet and chunky. Link grimaced and silently prayed to the gods it wasn't snow. He looked down and his fears were confirmed. Gods dang it! He'd just came out of a snowy area and into another one?! The Master Sword wielder frowned but put that thought aside when a random, harsh wind blew over, making him instantly wrap his arms around himself. Okay, the Hyrulean quality cotton wasn't doing its job against this fierce wind! Was it a snowstorm coming through? "S-s-so c-c-cold," Link shivered and teeth were already chattering together. Once again, his ears and fingers were nearly on ice. Dang it, where was that village he'd seen when in the air?
The teenager trenched through the three feet deep snow, trying his hardest to keep warm and failing horribly. "I wish I had s-s-s-some fire... oh!" He blinked and slapped himself mentally. He had a freaking Fire Rod and Lamp! Quickly as he could, he retreived the items from his magic pouch that had been Gulley's - his best friend who was Sage - and set to lighting the lamp using the Fire Rod. Yes, now he could see! It was so dark out. The rod's natural heat warmed the hand he used to carry it. He'd have to replenish his magic as soon as he spotted the village. He hoped the people within were friendly.
-o-
Link felt like he was about to be the next icicle as he trudged through the snow and storm. It felt like he had been walking for hours on end; he was certain he was! However, lo and behold, he saw the light from a few homes up ahead and rejoiced to the Hyrulean gods for directing his path. Yes! Finally, he could rest and return to solving this new oddity about this supposed other side of Lorule or Hyrule after that. Well, that is if they were kind folk. There were some mean people in both worlds he discovered and he'd be no stranger to unkindness. Although, he strongly preferred if they were nice. Teeth still chattering and light icicles hanging off his hair, cap and ears, Link clutched the rod and lamp close to him in a vain attempt at staying warm as he approached the village's closed gates. His blue eyes squinted to read the sign that wasn't so far away and...boy he was in shock.
There wasn't any Hylian text inscribed on the sign at all! He couldn't make out the strange and intricate loops that were supposedly text on the sign. What in the? "That's... s-s-so w-w-weird," Link thought aloud, turning from the sign and trying to put some rationality into this. Okay, it was just that; perhaps there wasn't anything to really worry about. He's dealt with all kinds of strange stuff as of late in his journey to saving Hyrule and Lorule. From being turned into a freaking painting on the wall to gargoyles of ice trying to flatten him to the ground, yeah this couldn't be as strange as those. But, why did he get this ill expression about what might lie ahead? He didn't believe he'd run into another monster, but the feeling he had was similar to when monsters were around him. Anxiety before they descended upon him to take him out.
Shaking out of his reverie, Link remembered that he was still outside in this blasted cold and began pounding the gate as hard as he could. "H-Hey! Can som-m-meo-o-one help m-m-m-me?!" Normally he was the one helping people all the time and it felt mighty good to be thanked, whether by heartfelt warmth of their smiles or of course, by a cool new gadget to add to his collection or money. He had a full wallet of Rupees, majority of them from collecting in treasure chests that were left behind in the dungeons he traversed through. While receiving money as thanks, he really appreciated it when it was spoken from the heart. So, he hoped he could be helped just as the same as when he helped people all across Lorule and Hyrule. He continued pounding, although they were getting softer as the adrenaline was wearing out and the cold was taking him over. Why was nobody coming? Would he freeze here and die before saving Zelda and the two worlds? Gosh, what a chosen hero he was.
Link huffed a chilly breath, slowly closed his eyes and knelt next to the gate, his bangs brushing up against its surface as he did. He couldn't believe he'd be dying before his adventure was finished and before he did what was tasked upon him. Was this whole thing Yuga's doing? ...No. Link would have known, just like when the fiend turned him into a painting in the Eastern Palace, and turned Osfala into a painting. Ravio's Bracelet somehow ran out of magic during his trip from Death Mountain's rift through the worlds and his newly acquired Triforce somehow saved him.
Was the gods looking over him? Were they forsaking him now, that he could possibly be outside their realm of silent guidance? But, what caused the magic in the bracelet to die out? And, how could he return to Hyrule or Lorule with it? The youth glanced to the trinket in question, noticing how the purple gem upon it was a dulled color; usually it was brightly shining but now it seemed dead. Then again, Ravio told him that the bracelet's magic sometimes depended on his magic reserves. Perhaps, Link didn't have enough when traveling through the rift? The more he thought of it, the more sensible it became. That was plausible, all things considered.
Then the Triforce, probably as an act to save its bearer, activated and took him to a safe location, outside of the rift. Maybe, it took him to a similar, geographical place. Death Mountain in Lorule was an ice cap more or less. Death Mountain in Hyrule was a volcano. This place was blanketed by snow everywhere... so perhaps...
"...So cold...ugh... Zelda, I'm sorry..." Link sighed sadly, nearly resigning to his fate. No one could hear him over the storm, no matter how good their hearing might be. He wasn't going to give up, but all things considered, he'd need another miracle to bring him out of this mess. If only he could redo his blunder...
"Hello?! Anyone out there!? Hello!" a male voice shouted, or at least Link thought he heard a shout and hurriedly, as fast as he could, tried to scramble up. Maybe he wouldn't be out of luck or miracles yet!
"H-H-Hello! I-I-I'm here! M-Me! I mean, I'm o-o-outs-s-s-ide! Please o-o-open th-th-the gate!" Link shouted back, as far as his voice could go. He was normally a reserved, quiet individual. The wind roared and whipped in his hair, clothes and everywhere else on him, making it twice as cold. It was blowing against him, so he stood his ground as much as he could without being blown over. He hoped that man whoever heard him. His prayers were answered when he heard the voice again.
"I'm opening the gate! Stay where you are, lad!"
How'd he know he was a kid? Oh well. Link wasn't going to question it. Muffled sounds of unlocking came from behind the gate could be heard and the green-clad youth took slow, few steps back as the gate opened outwardly, although not all the way. In front of him was a heavily dressed man in the appropriate attire for such weather, also sporting a lamp of his own and spotted the apparent kid with his eyes. He gasped but grabbed for the teenager, being careful with him.
"Come on, son. Let's get you out of this cold and into a warm house," the villager said, bringing Link into their village walls. The boy was ever grateful that someone was helping him, the doubt at the Hyrulean gods vanishing; how could he ever give up like that? Well, he hadn't fully given up but the thoughts his mind entertained were dangerously close to. Miracles were still happening, thankfully.
The man closed and locked the gate and then carefully but hurriedly rushed the both of them to a house nearby. Even with the combined light of the lamps, it was still dark and the wind was blowing constant snow into his face. "Don't worry, son. We're almost there." the man said most likely taking notice of Link's condition and grimace of the storm. The home was within sight not a moment longer. The door was wide open and standing outside on the door frame was a woman's figure. She had a lamp in her hands as if waiting for someone to return. As the pair got closer, the woman's image became clearer to the teenager. She had pale blonde hair and fair skin complexion although she was knitted up in the same appropriate attire as the man. Her eyes immediately landed on them when they arrived.
-o-
"Chares!" the woman beamed in happiness and concern. "You've returned safely!" she then took notice of Link and gasped. "Goodness! You're chilling to the bone, child. Hurry Chares, bring the dear in. He's shivering!"
"Of course, Eirene," the man, called Chares, said, hastily entering the house as the woman, called Eirene, stepped aside to allow them in. The female closed and locked the door behind her and swiftly went to fetch blankets while Chares lead Link to their fireplace to sit him down close to it.
"Th-thank you," Link managed to say through his chattering, milking in as much heat as he could. His clothes and chainmail were damp and he wished to change out of them... but he would wait for a while until he was ready to move. The fire... such warmth...
"It's no trouble, kid. I'm glad my wife heard your cries for help, otherwise you'd become the next icicle," the man said as he gazed upon the teen. The boy was armed, a sword and shield strapped to his back, now that he noticed, and he had a pouch of sorts tied to the belt looped around his waist. Was this kid a traveler? Or, perhaps one of the unfortunate fellows who were involved in the war against that man, the one calling himself the Conqueror of Valm? Curiosity ate at him and Chares couldn't keep it back. "Kid? Are you a traveler? A fighter, perhaps?"
Link had just peeled off his damp gloves in order to warm them further when the question was asked of him. He tilted his head slightly before nodding. "I am a fighter of sorts, yes. I fight against the evil of the world, in order to save the princess from peril and monsters who plague the land." The youth replied as truthfully as he could without revealing too much. He was a trusting fellow, although Link didn't want to include too many innocent people in his adventure. He didn't want to scare them in fear of Ganon's revival that was upon them. He'd rather keep them in the dark and save them from the disaster that was the evil of Ganon than tell them what could happen should he not make it in time.
"I'm also sort of lost, but that's all right. I'll find a way back on track," he added for good measure, giving the man a warm smile. "Thank you again for your help. S-Still a bit cold b-but... I don't think I'd have lasted that long out there." It was true; he'd been traversing the chilly Death Mountain of Lorule and the Ice Ruins that staying out in that weather probably would have killed him.
Chares, however, translated Link's message differently than he spoke. The 'evil of the world' that was 'plaguing the land' must have been referring to the Conqueror and those fell dead creatures called the Risen. Saving the princess must have referred to Princess Lissa of Ylisse, as that was the only one he knew. Unfortunately, since the girl's older sister was claimed dead in Plegia two years ago, a sacrifice that swayed many Plegians, although not all. Chares smiled a little at the boy's tale; the Shepherds ought to recruit this young lad for his determination. He may seem young, but he was full of tenacity that not many folk these days had. A rare gem among those who couldn't speak of perseverance like him. And, the man saw it in the lad's blue eyes; the eyes of an experienced youth who has seen hardship and trials.
Those weren't ordinary eyes; those were the eyes of a warrior. There was no mistaking it, despite the youth's warm personality. A rare gem, indeed. Eirene returned with a multitude of blankets, packing them on the lad in attempt to dry him thoroughly. She fussed over him like a mother would her child, mostly due to his age, and eventually let up to make warm tea for him once helping him set his items aside. Link felt really grateful and would definitely pay these nice people back for their kindness. It was the very least he could do.
"Lad?" Chares asked after a few minutes passed by, working with Eirene to make sure he was all right. "I must ask, what's your name and where are you from?" At that moment, the woman returned with the hot tea, helping the cup into his hands. "By the way, I'm Chares and the lovely is my wife, Eirene."
"Pleased to meet the both of you. My name's Link, sir and I'm from Hyrule," the boy said with relative ease while sipping from his cup. The man and woman stared at him oddly when he recounted his birth home and he wondered what troubled them so soon. "Um, is there something the matter?"
The pair exchanged odd glances with another before Chares shook his head. "Nothing too wrong, lad. It's just we've never heard of any place called 'Hyrule'. Where on the continent of Ylisse is that land located?"
To Link, this question baffled him. How did these people not know- oh wait, they're Lorulians, of course. No one other than apparently Princess Hilda, the sages and himself know of Lorule's and Hyrule's connection. He didn't want to trouble them, so he scrambled for a reply.
"I apologize. Hyrule's pretty far away from here, this land. I...forgot a bit." The youth chuckled while bashfully looking away a little. "But, you said this was...Ylisse? Where is that in this land of Lorule?" He had never heard nor seen any such place throughout the nearly year-long travels he'd undergone. The couple continued to stare at him in bewilderment and his own wasn't helping him understand why they were. Did they not know of their own land's name?
After a few moments of befuddling silence, the woman, Eirene, spoke up. "Link, dear. I'm afraid to say we do not know what a 'Lorule' is either, if I am saying it correctly. The continent here is called Ylisse. Our neighboring nation is named after our continent. Where we are now, is Ferox, and our village is Woodham, in the snowy reaches of the kingdom," she explained as best as she could. Poor child must have gotten his locations mixed up or really was lost and didn't know. She wanted to rectify that issue. "You may have journeyed through the incorrect lands in your search in ending this...evil you spoke of." Okay, that wasn't what he intended to hear! It was almost as if she were saying he wasn't in Lorule or Hyrule at all. That can't be...could it?!
Blinking in sudden anticipation, Link tried to assess the situation, tried to wrap his teenage mind around the maybe concept that he was no longer in either of the worlds he knew. Ravio had informed him to be careful many times... His forgetfulness landed him in this possible situation that he was nowhere near either of the lands he was chosen to save. Gods...
"Could... I see a map, please?" he asked, a little in disbelief. "I mean, I could have sworn I was in Lorule, ruled by Princess Hilda?"
Eirene went to fetch a map while Chares studied the lad a little more thoroughly. Now that he looked at the kid more, his ears were very different. They were longer and pointed at the end. Almost like one of those fairytale stories children often speak about. Beings called "elves"... were they actually real creatures? Or, perhaps, he was of a different racial descent? Were those even natural, he wondered. The woman returned once more, this time with a rolled up parchment she handed to Link.
"I'm sorry... the only princess we Feroxi know of is named Lissa, of Ylisse, the sister to Prince Chrom, the current leader of the halidom neighboring us," the woman replied to his earlier statement she'd overheard while fetching the map. Link regarded her answer before nodding slowly. He wasn't truly getting it yet but...maybe...
"Thank you," he said, placing his tea cup down and moving to fetch his pouch, drawing out his own maps of Hyrule and Lorule he received on his adventures. He spread them out as best as he could and as soon as he peered from both maps he knew to the one he didn't, he gasped out in astonishment. No way. The continent he was staring at was clearly different than what he knew and added to that fact, the fine print on the Ylisse continent's were in that same text he couldn't read on that sign not so long ago. None of the geographical locations could be connected to one another. This was... This was...
"...N-No longer in... L-Lorule or H-Hyrule..." Link could barely breathe. This wasn't the first time he experienced culture shock, the sudden revelation hitting him harder than when he first crossed over to Lorule from Hyrule's Castle. As his mind was currently undergoing deep denials repetitively, a more decent side of it was putting the pieces slowly together. This happened when that anomaly happened during the transition from Lorule's Death Mountain and to Hyrule's Death Mountain. The bracelet running out of magic at such a critical time was the key, which caused his Triforce to ultimately save him from perishing. It all came down to this: he wasn't in either world any longer and he had no way back! How was he going to stop Ganon's complete revival and save both worlds if he wasn't anywhere there?
Was Ylisse an opposite world to Lorule, then? Was there any way to prove both places existed on another, parallel side? He really was lost then.
"Link...?" Chares' voice was the first to bring him out of his thoughts. The youth managed to remember to breathe and exhaled deeply. Gods, how was he going to ever get back? Where could he start looking for clues to go about this?
"I-I'm sorry I paused for such a long time. I was thinking... and really confused. I must have gotten off...track. Way off track from my travels..." he admitted though keeping most of the reasons to himself. These people didn't need to know he was a bearer of the Triforce from his world or that he was a chosen hero. No... They probably had enough burdens somehow in this world, and he didn't want to trouble them further. Also, what if they leaked that information out to troublemakers? Link, as noble as he was, wouldn't blindly put out his faith or trust into these people. At least, not just yet. "I'm really lost, unfortunately. I'll have to find my way back home and continue my travels. I'm...sorry to be a burden." Link quietly stood up from his spot.
"Oh, no dear. You're no burden. Please, at least stay until you recover. We'll do what we can to help you find your way," Eirene insisted.
"Hm... Lorule, huh? It might be across the sea for all we know. As Eirene said, we'll do what we can to help you, young Link. It might be hard, but we'll figure something out." Chares added. Link appreciated the welcomed assistance and nodded.
"Thank you very much. I honestly don't know what else to say other than that..." the teenager bowed his head.
"Don't fret about it. Now come on, let's get you changed out of those damp clothes before you catch a cold! I've already warmed a hot bath and change of clothes for you in the next room. I apologize if the clothes are too large for you; our son was much older than you appear, Link. I'm afraid it's all I can spare at the time being."
Link pondered over her context clues and suddenly felt guilty. She used 'was' in her previous sentence. Did that mean their only child was gone? He didn't want to steal anyone else's clothes, even if they were dead or something. It didn't seem right. However, the nice lady was offering all she had; how could he refuse and say 'no' to her generosity? Instead of feeling sad, he smiled. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Eirene. I appreciate it." Link followed her, after he rolled up his maps and gave the one of Ylisse back to Chares, to the next room, where she explained everything he needed to know about the bathing room and the appropriate soap. She left him to himself after a minute and Link allowed himself to soak in the warmed water without his wet tunic and cap. He sighed in content at the relaxing temperature though he couldn't get his mind off the recent events.
Traveling to another world, huh? How in the blazes did he manage to do that? This continent Ylisse... the land within it was called Ferox. For some troubling reason, Link felt he would have to go on yet another journey in order to solve the mysteries around his arrival here. The only way to do that was to set out and explore. After all, that's how he got around Hyrule and Lorule. He just prayed to the Hyrulean gods that both lands were safe for the time until he returned. The Hylian youth's gaze turned to his bare, left palm, examining the dulled out golden Triforce embedded upon his person. It hadn't completely faded out like it normally would; it was flickering like a dimming out candle and he wondered if that was a sign of danger or truth. He knew he had to be careful when exploring. Who knew what dangers were in this place? Well, perhaps Mr. Chares and Mrs. Eirene would know of any current and ongoing issues happening. They seemed well informed and if the off chance they weren't, he'd have to travel to find information that would ultimately help him back to his true home.
'Don't worry, Zelda, Hyrule, Lorule. I'm just taking a shortcut trip to get there but I will not abandon my duty. Just hold on until I return.'
What will Link do next? Stay tuned for the next chapter: Entering the Shepherds!
-Ijoa
