Silence. A pure, absolute silence.
That is what Link first noticed.
Next came the stormy gray sky, then the quivering trees, and lastly a gray stone pedestal. The pedestal was covered in intricate patterns and strange carvings that Link couldn't quite read, but he still had a feeling he should know how.
A long black sword with a jeweled hilt was resting in the pedestal at an angle. A faint chiming, along with a rush of wind suddenly shattered the silence. Link could now hear the deafening thunder, the howling wind, signs of a huge storm brewing.
The chiming was back, causing Link to look for its source. His gaze rested on the black sword that seemed to be the source of the noise.
Link hesitantly stepped forward. The chiming continued, growing louder and louder, turning into ringing…
"LINK! TURN OFF YOUR ALARM ALREADY!" Startled, the blonde boy fell out of his bed. His flailing arms had knocked the alarm clock off his bedside table, and judging by the lack of sound, it had probably broken. Again.
"THANK YOU!" His uncle (who was actually his grandmother's cousin's son) yelled from downstairs. His uncle, who insisted on just being called by his first name, was only twenty-two but as Link's only living relative he had custody of the fifteen year old.
Link changed into a sky blue tank top, light gray skinny jeans, and a thin white hoodie he left partially unzipped. He slipped a silver bracelet on, and then pushed his favorite sapphire studs through his pierced ears.
He stomped downstairs and saw Alec sitting on one of the dining room chairs as he watched the morning news, his feet on the table and the chair balancing on two legs. Again.
Annoyed, Link tipped the chair back farther, causing it and his uncle to crash to the floor. Alec blinked up at him, then glared. His expression screamed 'I am not impressed, you little brat'.
Link grinned. Alec glared harder.
Before they could start arguing (well, yelling on Alec's part and smug silence on Link's), the doorbell rang. Link went to open the door, already knowing who would be there. Link's best friend, Zelda, had arrived to make sure Alec and Link were ready for the trip.
Zelda's grandparents owned a ski lodge a few hours' drive away, and she had invited them to go with her, her parents, and her two siblings when they went to visit.
Zelda was going to ride with Link and Alec, due to the lack of room from all of the luggage stuffed in the other car.
"Hey, sleepyhead! Are you planning on brushing your hair before we leave?" Zelda asked, ruffling Link's already messy hair. He pouted at her, but went to the bathroom to fix his hair before they left. Zelda walked through the fairly small house into the dining room, where Alec was still on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
She quirked an eyebrow at the pouting Alec, but chose not to question his continued presence on the floor. After a few seconds, the immature adult stood and ran a hand through dirty blonde locks, trying to smooth out his permanent bedhead. As always it didn't work, much to Alec's frustration.
Link came down the stairs, hair brushed and his duffel bag in hand. Alec picked his own duffel and grabbed his car keys from where they were hanging next to the front door. With a bit of cussing from Alec, silent laughter from Link, and soft giggles from Zelda, the three managed to pack themselves and their luggage into Alec's little black coupe.
Finally, they were on their way.