Forward From Within

by The Unplanner

Look within; step forward. A character has lost his or her way over time, but perhaps they just need to look deeper? A compilation of my stories in which a character does a little introspection and achieves character growth as a result. This collection encompasses many different video games.

1. To Go Alone

To Go Alone

Summary: It's dangerous to go alone. Take this! A deeper look into the famous phrase that kicks off the original Legend of Zelda.

For countless ages, the Hero has waged his eternal battle against the Demon King. In these battles, the Hero was always joined by both the Princess of Destiny, and another companion who would travel with him and show him the way. The path is always dangerous, but the Hero has always had someone to share it with, to see his actions, and to tell of them later as the next chapter in the Legend of Zelda.

But not today. Today, the Hero journeys alone.

Hyrule is in such a state of decline that the people literally live under rocks. Ganon has scattered eight dungeons across the land, each pouring vicious monsters into every corner of Hyrule. He already has the Triforce of Power and holds Princess Zelda captive. The Triforce of Courage has appeared on Link's hand, prompting him to set out on a quest to save Zelda and defeat Ganon (but not destroy him; Ganon cannot be destroyed). At the moment the Triforce mark appears on Link's hand, the adventure begins, but the only guidance he receives is from an old man in a nearby cave, who says, "It's dangerous to go alone. Take this!" Link leaves with the offered sword, thinking, Of COURSE it's dangerous out there. I can take it. Eventually, he realizes that "dangerous" wasn't the key word, but "alone."

There are no signposts in this Hyrule. All Link knows is that Death Mountain is in the far north; he keeps his shield in whichever hand is pointed in that direction to ward off Ganon's evil presence. Finding any evil dungeon is a matter of chance. Finding the easiest dungeon first is a matter of luck. Surviving long enough to delve to that dungeon's deepest room and defeating the giant monster there is a matter of great skill and supreme luck.

Entering a room causes all the doors ahead and behind to slam shut. Pushing and pulling the doors is fruitless, and a group of vicious monsters suddenly appear, leaving Link trapped in a fight for his life with no guarantee of victory. Even defeating all the monsters does not open the door; Link desperately throws himself against walls and obstacles to try to find an exit. One of these shoves moves a block to the side, and the doors bang open at last. Link resolves to remember this little trick; it's bound to show up again. And it does, in nearly every room in every dungeon. Opening the doors requires moving a block, slaying beasts, or both, and sometimes a seemingly normal wall hides a passage that can only be revealed by a bomb blast to destroy the fake barrier. A map can be found in the middle of the dungeon, along with an item to make the rest of the quest easier, like a boomerang or raft. The use of these items is not always clear, and the map gives no information about the contents or puzzles in each chamber. Link stumbles blindly towards destiny, only able to trust in his own perseverance to carry him through.

Link stands a good chance of dying in any fight, even against comparatively weak Octoroks. Battle cannot be joined blindly, lest he fall to a Zora's fireball from behind.

Even in the final battle, the blind stumbling remains. Ganon cannot be seen by the naked eye. The invisible beast must be found by noting where his attacks originate and following the pattern to strike the demon's flesh. Inadequate preparation can also be fatal; Ganon can only be slain by the unique Silver Arrows, which cannot be purchased at any shop. Failing to recover the power to create Silver Arrows from Ganon's lair at Death Mountain will result in failure at the very last trial, the ultimate irony that befell the Hero of Time not long ago.

That's right: there is no guarantee that the Hero can win at all. He is not destined to succeed where the Hero of Time failed.

Power, yet skill. Courage, yet caution. Wisdom, yet experience. Only the greatest and most skilled Hero has a chance of surviving these trials. There is nobody to point the way forward, nobody to warn of the dangers. And if Link fails before all is said and done, there will be nobody there to see or remember him.

Yes, it is dangerous to go alone. Are you worthy?

THANKS LINK, YOU'RE THE HERO OF HYRULE.

FINALLY, PEACE RETURNS TO HYRULE.

THIS ENDS THE STORY.