Acts of Evil
Chapter One
There was once a golden era, an era where Hyrule thrived. A golden period, if you will. A time of happiness and joy, everyone got along, death rate was minimum. The Law was still laid down by the hero of Hyrule, the green clad savior that had defeated the dark overlord Ganon. A time when the Heroes were depended on, when villagers didn't have to lock their doors out of fear. Oh what a great time it was, but that thought was now just a yearning, no longer a reality, only a wish. Because every hero eventually falls. Only Link fell in a way no one would ever suspect.
It had all started when the Twilight Princess Midna, had left the realm of light, Link who was madly in love with the Twili heroine, was distraught. He still remembered the exact moment where his heart, hopes, and dreams were all crushed, shattered. The moment that she took her last step into the Mirror, the portal to her home. Link was a mess afterwards, no longer taking care of himself, his eyes lost that glint and his face dulled. A beard grew in and his clothes began to get increasingly dirty. It was as if he was aging ten years a day. It pained his friends to see him this way, he had no will to live on, the only thing that kept him alive, was the thought that he may be able to see Midna once more, the distant hope that he would get to see his best friend, and the woman whom he loved. Though his intentions were good, this was what essentially, led to his downfall.
Link lay in bed silently, trying to decide whether or not it would be worth it to get up at all. Day after day, he would argue with himself wordlessly on whether it was even worth it to live on any longer, after all the site that he saw the most was the ceiling. And day after day, he would always use the I may get to see midna later. It was his personal trump card, on keeping himself alive. Sighing he got up, and decided to go outside. After all, it couldn't hurt to talk to others once in a while.
Silently making his way down the trail, Link passed some kids playing, he recognized them as, Colin, Malo, Talo, and Beth. They were all laughing, as they chased a Monkey with a stick. Old habits die hard. Link thought to himself bringing a smile across his face. It was only about a year ago, that he saw the same thing, only this time, he could rest easily knowing that they were safe. Further on he started to enter further into Ordon Village. Meow. Looking down Link noticed a certain cat, reaching down to pet it the cat scurried away running through a flap at the bottom of Sera's shop. Pushing open the door, Link walked in to greet the Shop keeper.
"Hello Link!" Sera said warmly, "It's been a while"
"Hello Sera, how have you been?" Link asked trying to be pleasant, though he didn't feel very happy.
"Pretty well, I've been trying to harvest as much Bee Larva as possible, before the season is over" With that said, she pulled up her hands, showing some massive welts that were obviously from bee stings.
"Sera! Why didn't you have Hanch do it?"
"Because he is horrible at it, I swear the man is useless" she started to chuckle, letting Link know she wasn't serious.
Making small talk, the two went on about how Link's life has been, and Sera told her stories on what has happened, since Link had retreated into his shell. Though Sera was a lot more detailed on her story, she also seemed to gossip quite a bit. Purchasing some Milk, Link filled up his bottle, and proceeded out the door and toward Rusl's home. It had been a while, and Link was curious as to see how the old man had been over the last months that Link had remained inside.
Knocking lightly Link, waited for Rusl to open the door to his home. To his suprise Uli, Rusl's wife opened the door, when she saw it was Link her mouth stretched into a smile. She quietly signaled for Link to come inside, as to why they were being quiet, Link had no idea. He walked behind Uli into the living room of the home, to see Rusl carving what looked like a wooden staff. When he saw Link he got up and loudly asked Link how he had been. This had been a mistake, as the baby sleeping in the corner woke up and started crying. It was a baby girl, apparently Uli had given birth while Link had been gone.
Wincing, Uli ran to the baby and picked her up, patting her on the back gently until the baby stopped crying, and eventually went back to sleep. Link and Rusl chatted away like old friends, exchanging stories, and information, it had seemed that Zelda, had took the throne, and became a queen. Though she was not married.
"Did you hear?" Rusl asked Link.
"Hear what?"
"Queen Zelda, has been leading a campaign to find the Legendary Tri-Force" He said eagerly.
"Tri-Force?" Link asked not quite in the loop of things.
"Yes, it seems that this golden item, consists of three triangles, one of Courage, one of Power, and one of Wisdom. It is said that the one who holds this mysterious power can bring loved ones back to life, and will be all powerful. Zelda however, wants to destroy it, I can't think of why" With that said Rusl's brows furrowed and he went into deep thought of Zelda's intentions.
The wheels inside Link's head turned, and one word went through his head... Midna. As it had been said, Knowledge was power. Link wanted to know everything he could about this power. He would have to find it sooner then Zelda, or their could be problems. Leaving Rusl's house, he bid them a farewell, he had spent most of the day chatting to the many people of Ordon, and by now it was getting dark. The ambient sound of crickets chirping could be heard, and cheered Link up. His depression was gone, a new hope had arrived. The Tri-Force. It was late by the time he got home, but he couldn't sleep. He was too excited, early the next morning he would saddle up Epona and head into the Castle Town, and see if he could find any more information.
It took forever for the night to end, Link hadn't gotten any sleep, and he didn't plan on it until he got all the information he needed. He had spent the last year sleeping away his life, he would be able to live with lack of sleep, at least for a while. When morning came, Link was ready. He had everything he needed bundled up in a sack made from the Stomach of a Dodongo. This was a very rare item, as the Dodongo had been extinct for a very long time, it was a gift from the Goron Elder Darbus.
Walking outside, he put the sack on Epona, now plump and healthy once more, Epona was more than ready to go on another adventure, as she had also spent the year sleeping. Only visits from Ilia kept her awake it seemed. Climbing the ladder once more to get the two remaining Items that Link would need for his quest, he stopped. Flashbacks of what it used to be like, the memories alone brought a smile to his face. Grabbing the Master Sword, and his trusty Shield he set off. Since he had started off early he should be able to make it to Castle Town before night.
Riding and riding, they pushed through the quiet and comfortable fields of Hyrule, occasionally coming across some traveling merchants, or venturing nobleman, the scenery was amazing, birds flew high above Link, singing their songs, water trickled down into small streams that led downhill, trees that were full of blossoms and ripe fruit. Hyrule really was a pretty place this time of year. Link drank it all in, he felt refreshed, with a new hope his vitality returned with a fresh vigor. Stopping only briefly to give Epona a rest, and a chance for Link to eat they made it to castle town before night.
The sun was just starting to set as Link entered the busy town. Though at this time of night most people were headed off home, or were already there. Traveling incognito Link pulled out a dark heavy cloak, wrapping it around himself, he was out of anyones awareness, not even the Queen would recognize Link now. A lot had changed since Link had last been into the Castle town, new houses, new faces, hell there was even a new subdivision along with a new pub. Walking further and further Link started to enter the Slums of Castle Town; he had still not found the Library. Frustrated and tired, Link was not happy when a few street thugs started to come up to him. This could make for an interesting night.
"Hey" One of the dirty men called to Link. Stopping and turning around Link faced the dirty man that was wearing what seemed like dirty rags. "You have any spare rupees?" The man asked hopefully, before Link could respond he was grabbed from behind.
He had fell for it. The old man was just a distraction for the thieves that had been lurking in the shadows. A dagger was pressed upon Link's throat, the sharp cold steel uncomfortably close to his Jugular.
"Give me your wallet" The thief whispered into Link's ear quietly, so he wouldn't cause much of a fuss.
This was one of the last things that Link had ever even thought of doing, though he had a dagger to his throat, he felt quite calm, he had been in worse situations and had managed to keep himself alive. This wouldn't be much different. Unknown to the man, Link started to move his hands into his pocket, grabbing a very small dagger that fit in the palm of his hand, Link grabbed it and in one swift, clean moment he stabbed into the mans leg, in the shock and confusion the man let Link go, giving him enough time to drive the Dagger into the thief's chest. The man dropped with a dull thud. The other thief and the dirty beggar both took off deeper into the slums. Link had no intention of following.
Grabbing the man by the shoulders Link hauled him up and pinned him against the wall. "Where can I find the library?" Link asked the man. The man looked at him, started to laugh. However his laugh was cut short as his mouth started to gargle up blood. In a second the man's face paled and his eyes clothed. He took his last breath. Sighing, Link pushed the man's corpse onto the ground. He felt quite guilty, as he never wanted it to come to this. In all fairness Link was the one attacked. He would have better luck asking someone that he knew. Telmas bar was not so far, he would be better off asking her.
"Well sure I know where it is!" Telma exclaimed in her hearty voice. "But first you're going to have to buy a drink" She said winking.
Not really in the mood, Link decided to play her game anyways, "Get me some Goron Ale" Link said massaging his temples. With the recent activity he had managed to give himself a headache. What a wonderful night this was shaping out to be.
With a mug of the finest Goron Ale in front of him, Link explained for the third time this week how he had been, what he had been doing for the last year. And for the third time this week, he listened as the other person poured their heart out. What a wonderful week. He felt as though he could sleep for a day and still be tired.
"You have a room for rent?" Link asked the Bartender.
"Why sure, its downstairs." In the corner behind the counter there were some stairs leading to where "The Group" Stayed when they were in town. It had seemed that everyone was gone off on business though, so Link could stay there for now. At last, things were looking up.
This place sure wasn't a palace, but it would suit Link's needs, a bed and a place to rest. That was all he needed, and that was all he got, though he couldn't complain with the rates, as the room was free for him. Staring at the ceiling wondering what tomorrow would bring, Link drifted into an easy sleep, a comfortable sleep unlike he had been having for the last year.
Link could hear banging and chatter coming from upstairs, it would have been pointless to cover his ears, as the sound was very loud. Groaning, and then yawning, a tired Link made his way up to see Telma. Up above there was the Bar's regulars all sitting, some already half drunk. It wasn't even midday by Link's reckon, some people just didn't have anything to do.
"'bout time you woke up" Telma said grinning at Link.
"I got a much needed rest" Link mumbled, without another word Link tiredly slapped a pouch onto the counter and left. Though the room had been free he had felt that he needed to pay at least something for Telmas hospitality. Ever since Link's last adventure he had been loaded with money from the Throne room of the castle that Ganon had acquired through pillaging.
Opening the pouch Telma gasped. There lay a bundle of orange rupees. She promised herself that Link would never need to pay for anything ever again. Link let a smile crawl onto his face, his generosity had made him feel good, something that he needed, ever since he had almost been mugged. The thought of what had happened when anger over took him, made him sad.
He was sorrowful that this had to happen, as he knew that the thief was just trying to get money to support himself. Hardening his heart, he reassured himself. No, it was his fault, he should of found another way to get his money. He thought to himself a scowl starting to cross his face.
Through the busy bustle of the town, Link waded through mobs of people, looking at the signs on the buildings. It took a little over an hour until he found his destination. Looking upwards he saw the sign Hyrule Castle Town Library. Eagerly pushing the door open, Link exposed himself to a cozy environment a fire blazed calmly in the corner, bookcases were lined in neat rows, the books all neatly organized, an elderly couple sat in a comfy chair reading books, and the clerk smiled nicely as Link entered. Behind her glasses the Clerk welcomed Link warmly and asked if he was looking for anything in specific.
"Do you have any books on Hyrules complete history?" Link asked.
"Well nothing on the complete history, as history is still going on, my dear" She replied smiling. However she still lead Link to a bookcase in the very back, pulling out a leather bound book she handed it to Link with a warning. "Be careful, this is an old book and it is very rare to find one likes this." Nodding Link eagerly grabbed the book.
Sitting down at one of the tables, Link opened to the first page, immediately he was drawn into the book, drinking in all the words, he learned about various things that many people thought the knowledge was lost of. He learned of the three goddesses that had created Hyrule, he learned of the old races, such as the Kokiri, and the Gerudos, one a peaceful race that lived in the dense woods, the other a battle type race that lived in the harsh deserts, where Ganon himself originated. After getting mid way through the day was almost through, the Clerk calmly informed Link that it was near closing time, and that the book he held in his hands was not lent out. Things wouldn't be as easy as Link had hoped. Walking towards the back shelf, Link acted as if he put the book back while he actually slipped it into his cloak. Bidding the clerk a farewell he left the building. When he got out of the door he sprinted towards Telma's bar.
A small creak was heard as Link pushed open the door of the bar. Telma looked over to welcome Link, and pointed down the stairs while she talked to one of the patrons. Link rushed down the stairs and immediately opened the book. Finally. Finally he found what he had been looking for. He had found information about the Tri-force. This mysterious power was created as the Goddesses left the world, it is said that the Tri-Force was held in the temple of time, a building which is now lost from any known knowledge. Link's heart jumped. He knew where he had to go. His heart sank as he read one passage ye be warned, for who so ever touches the Tri-Force for his own benefit, will suffer a fate that he never intended.