Prologue

Link was a prodigy.

Ever since the day he was born, his path had been chosen. He had beaten trained knights in swordplay at the age of 10, outclassing people with dozens of more years of experience. He would wield every weapon in known existence with ease, from Halberds to Spears to Greatswords to Bows, Crossbows, and freaking boomerangs. He had been famed as a genius in terms of combat tactics and puzzles, and out of the box thinking. He had been hailed as the second coming of the legendary god damn Hero of Hyrule who had saved the kingdom thousands of years ago.

And the best part? He didn't actually deserve any of it.

Because Link had an unfair advantage in everything he did. Every god damn thing. Some would call it a blessing, and say he was chosen by the gods. He called it luck. Pure, utter, annoying luck.

Because Link had a special ability. An ability that let him perceive time in freaking slow motion.

It was a cheat card for everything he did. He could read and think faster than anyone in the kingdom, so he could absorb knowledge and text at a stupidly fast rate. When he fought, he had an utterly bullshit tactical advantage. He knew his opponent's next move instantly, and he could predict every single thing his enemy did. It was a ridiculous, broken ability. It had ruined the pride of a dozen knights who had dozens of years of training and experience, and yet, lost to a simple child. It was like he had a type of precognition.

And it wasn't just that. If Link focused hard enough, he could move as fast as he perceived time, essentially making him a born and bred killing machine.

Of course, part of it had to do with skill. He had learnt and perfected the ways and methods of using a variety of weapons, using his ability to learn faster. Again, he had cheated. None of his accomplishments in life were actually his. They belonged to whatever was in him that had turned him this way. He didn't deserve shit. And yet, they hailed him as some prodigy. He absolutely hated it. At first, he thought everyone had the same ability as him, but the illusion shattered all too quickly. And once it did, Link hated his life. It was bad enough being put on the spotlight. It was even worse when he was put on the spotlight for something he didn't deserve. It was why he had mastered things like cooking, and created his own recipes, just so he could have something that he could call his. Cooking was honestly his favorite thing to do in his free time. Of course, this was kept a secret. Hyrule didn't want his celebrity image being tainted, and he gladly agreed.

Link scoffed.

"C'mon, Link. If anyone can do it, it's you." A voice called out. This belonged to Link's only friend in life, and only true confidant. The boy was named Rhye, a bumbling knight in training who he had befriended after helping him with techniques.

Rhye was also the only one who knew about Link's ability. When Link had told the boy, he had voiced his thoughts that it wasn't something to be ashamed of. It was then when they had their first, and last major fight. An argument that remained unresolved to this day.

"I don't even know why I'm doing this, Rhye. I'm already treated as the second coming of Hylia when I'm with the knights. If anything, IF I do this, it's gonna increase my publicity even more. And I really, really don't want that. I want to live a quiet life. Maybe as a knight, or a Shepard, even. I'll take anything." Link sighed. "Man, I must sound like a spoiled child saying this to you. I guess I am one. I'm blessed with gifts and opportunities, and I absolutely hate them..." Link looked down in guilt. Rhye simply slapped him on the back, laughing.

"Jeez man, you really need to relax sometimes. And I've already told you, I don't care at all. Maybe I felt envious of you for... What, a few days? But here I am laughing, while you're acting like a depressed teenager. Hell, I think I'm better off than you." The knight winked. Link gave a slight smirk.

"Perhaps you're right." He slouched. "All right, I guess I have to do this, huh."

"Yup. You can't escape it, bro. Everyone in Hyrule has to do it for their 17'th birthday. Consider this, as your trial of manhood, if you will. If you back down now, you'll stay a kid for the rest of your life!"

Link let out a chuckle. It was an empty, silly threat, but it had done well to ease the mood.

"Well, I guess here goes nothing." Link sighed before he placed his hands on the grip. Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for the pain that would come when he went through the ordeal. He really didn't want to do it, but an inner voice still guided him towards committing the act.

'When this is over, I'm gonna know if my ability was a lie or not.' Guided by that single idea as his motivation, Link swiftly inhaled and tightened his grip, raising his arms. The pain that came next was unbearable. It was the worst thing he had ever felt in his entire life. Like a constant stream of flaming hot lava was being dumped onto his body. His skin, his insides, his everything burned with raw, utter pain.

Link opened his blue eyes, the eyeballs practically bulging from their sockets in pain. But when he opened his eyes, his vision didn't greet him with the view of the forest he had last remembered. Instead, he was in... A house. It was a classic, old fashioned household that he could never forget. After all, the happiest moments of his life had been spent in those exact walls. It wasn't anything fancy. Made purely of wood, it only had a dining table, and 2 rooms. His father had been one of the greatest knights in Hyrule, but back when he was younger, the occupation was heavily underpaid, and they lived in a rather cheap residence. But despite everything, Link's years in his childhood home had been the happiest years of his life.

Out of thin air, a figure clad in steel armor formed from shimmering blue light. He had traditional Hylian armor, and he sported a Royal broadsword used only by the most elite knights in Hyrule. And yet, the figure had been beaten by Link in combat when the boy had only been 9 years old. This was, his one and only father. Link could tell from the sword, and the strange way his helmet was crumpled. For a reason Link could never fathom, his father had never bothered to replace his armor. He had been using the same helmet, chest plate and boots for dozens of years during his time as a knight. When Link had asked him why, he had simply smiled and replied, "It's personal."

The figure took a step towards Link, who still felt like his body was being thrown into a burning hot fire.

"You've grown a lot, son... I almost wish I could have been there to see it." The figure chuckled quietly. "Beating dozens of trained knights when you were 10 and calling it dumb luck. You really were pretty clueless, huh?" Link opened his mouth to respond but the figure put an armored glove on his mouth. Surprisingly, Link expected the pain in that area to double, but it had nullified. Surprised, the boy let out a large gasp. It was a refreshing feeling, and he had never felt so relieved in his entire life.

"Those were happier days. You were so much happier back then, when you weren't treated like a god, huh. It's funny. Most knights would kill for the opportunities you had." Link's father put a hand to his chin, as if he was in deep thought. "I never wanted you to have this responsibility, but I guess I have to do it. I know that if anyone can do it, it's you."

"DO WHAT? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!" Link's eyes were beginning to tear from the constant stream of pain.

The figure ignored him. "You will soon be presented with a jarring, almost impossible task. The fate of the entire kingdom will rest on your shoulders soon, if you accept the responsibility."

The pain stopped. Link barely kept himself from buckling and falling towards the ground. It had gone extremely abruptly, and he had not prepared for it. He barely kept his grip, and used the thing he was holding onto as balance as he steadied himiself up back into a standing position.

"I've already given you my blessing. But, the bigger question is, can you?" With that final question, the figure disappeared, dissipating into fine blue smoke, evaporating slowly into the air.

Link didn't know why, but he felt saddened. Heartbroken, even. Tears threatened to leave his glimmering blue eyes. Not being able to take it anymore, he exploded.

"WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO! YOU CANT JUST- YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THAT! ARGH!" He yelled in rage. "YOU KNOW WHAT!? FINE! I'LL DO WHATEVER STUPID TASK YOU WANT ME TO DO. I'LL THROW MYSELF, MY LIFE, MY EVERYTHING ON THE LINE!" As an afterthought, he mumbled, "It'll finally put my stupid curse to good use..."

A strange, hollow voice giggled from the air. "Oh, is that so? That's the spirit, boy. But you should probably change your opinion on your abilities. You were given those for a reason, and the reason wasn't to despise them. So use them well, alright?" The voice giggled again. "I accept your resolve. I hope you can accomplish the task ahead of you, Link. Because you're the only one who can." The voice said before disappearing. And then, Link stood there in utter confusion for a good 10 seconds. It was then, when the sound pierced the silence.

Schlink.

Link's blue eyes widened at the sudden noise, and the room around him, his surroundings, everything started to turn into something entirely different. The furniture went up in smoke, the floor rippled like water before changing its appearance, and the walls simply dissipated into an illuminating blue light.

Once it was over, Link found himself surrounded by a forest once more, but he felt another presence with him this time. A strange, inhumane presence that sent a warm feeling into his heart.

With full confidence this time, Link raised his arms and lifted the Master Sword into the air, the sheer presence of the regal, majestic blade leaving Rhye speechless.

And then, he collapsed onto the ground. Hard.

Gasping, Rhye quickly came to his aid. "Dude, are you ok?"

Link groaned, and gritted his teeth. He felt completely out of energy. "I'm tired as hell, and I really feel like hitting the bed right now..."

Rhye laughed. It was a purely joyful sound that uplifted the mood as it echoed throughout the entire forest. "Holy Hylia, Link. I swear, you're the only person who would lift the freaking Master Sword and then think of taking a nap."

Link let out a dry chuckle. "Oh my god, what the hell am I gonna do now..."

And it was a good question indeed. Link's head slumped onto the ground in exhaustion. But even as he lay on the ground, the experience he had gone through when he had lifted the sword never left his thoughts.

'What the hell was that...'

He decided that all would be revealed... Soon enough. Right now, he wanted to take a nap.

Notes

This is a little plot idea that I had in my head for the longest time. And if I do finish this story, trust me, it's gonna be long.

Anyways, please leave your thoughts in the reviews! Criticism is much appreciated.

Thanks for actually putting the effort into clicking on my story!