Chapter 2: Stories
"Impa, please," Zelda pleaded. She'd felt lightheaded earlier, and Impa had sent her to bed with the healer coming by to check on her. She'd been given a clean bill of health, but Impa insisted she rest the next day as well.
"You were in the Sacred Realm with the embodiment of evil for one hundred years. I will not take any chances on your health, as we do not know what is to be expected. Now, sit."
Hours later, Zelda's head lolled against the wall, bored far more than any moment she'd spent in the Sacred Realm. She wanted to get out, to see how much her home had changed. She wanted to know how much she'd changed.
"Your Majesty?" came a soft voice as Paya crept up the steps. "You look… you look healthy."
"I'm not telling anyone next time if I feel ill or faint. Let me collapse. Anything is more tolerable than sitting here alone."
Paya's eyes darted to the nearby bed. "I could sit with you, if you'd like."
Zelda's eyes softened. Paya looked so like Impa and Purah. "Only if you'd like to."
Paya nodded and bowed before moving to take her new seat. She was a bit awkward and stiff at first but took a breath and looked at Zelda with determination. "May I ask… what was it like facing the great evil 100 years ago? I've asked Master Link, but he gently reminded me of his fate."
Zelda closed her eyes, remembering that day more clearly than she wished to. "I said my goodbyes to your grandmother, your aunt, and Robbie and headed straight to the castle. It was already so different from the home I remembered only hours before. The walls had collapsed in the quakes caused by Ganon and the Divine Beasts, the malice oozed from the walls, ceilings, and floors. Newly formed Stalchildren wandered the halls, fresh from the first blood moon in centuries. It was true horror to wander the halls.
"I used my sealing power to fight Ganon's minions off. It doesn't just seal him away, but it is also an effective and unstable source of power. The sensation of the light through my body was beyond anything I could have humanly imagined. Perhaps that is because the power of light comes from the Goddess Hylia herself."
She looked up at Paya, who was listening intently. Zelda continued.
"I fought off some of the Yiga who were in my way- some I knew personally—and continued on towards Ganon. He was still materializing, just a sack on a ceiling. Several last-ditch floating skulls tried to stop me, but when I used the powers, they vanished and it was just me and Ganon.
"He held me in the darkness he commands, and I was forced to release my physical body, which he held. I used the power to hold his spirit, though I coud not seal it, I brought it away from the physical world. That is quite indescribable in itself. But I held him, despite his efforts to break free. If we were in a fight with our bodies, he'd have mauled me to death. But I had the Goddess' favor, and for the next 100 years, I kept a hold on him, tightening when he fought, loosening while he rested, but never letting go. Then, I had no more strength. Link took up the mantel, his destiny, and drove that blighted creature from our world."
Paya turned red at the mention of Link's name. "I would expect nothing less from the Champion of Hyrule. But you? I've only heard stories of what you did. None quite compare."
Zelda's ears perked. "Stories? I'd love to hear one!"
"Oh," Paya muttered, her fingers dancing anxiously. "We have many books about the two of you. I would recommend reading them. But most say that Master Link was killed in the fight with Ganon, and you, in a great rage, unleashed your sealing powers and sacrificed yourself."
Zelda shrugged. "That's fairly close, I suppose?"
"The historians and poets tell the story better than I do," she admitted.
"Well," Zelda said, standing to stretch, "Now you'll have to be the one to tell the true story."
Paya's eyes widened. "Yes, I suppose. I may see if Master Link can remember any more of those last few days. If you wouldn't mind sharing your perspective, I can add it to Grandmother's."
"Add it?" Zelda asked.
"Grandmother kept a collection from her memories, lest she forget. It is all written down."
Zelda looked around, eager to see some great volume or text, but there was nothing. Nothing that she could see, anyway. She went to ask Paya if she could see it, and to agree to help, but something stopped her. It was a feeling, like when someone knows that they are being watched. But Zelda felt more that she was being listened to.
Moving to the steps, Zelda peered down them. Link was leaning against the wall. He turned to her, a similar feeling washing over him, and he smiled guiltily.
"I didn't want to disturb you, but you have a visitor."
Zelda crossed her arms defiantly. "Oh, so I'm not allowed to leave, but I may have visitors? What sense does that make?"
Shrugging, Link looked across the room at someone Zelda couldn't see. She tried to peer around the wall, but still couldn't catch a glimpse of the surprise guest.
Her curiosity beat out her stubbornness. "Do they wish to come up here? Or should I go to them?"
The visitor, wracked with his own inquisitiveness, stepped up to the steps. It was a Rito, tall and proud. His feathers were a striking blue, and he wore garb strikingly similar to the lower half of the traditional Sheikah outfit. Loose red feathers adorned his own on his head, and his wings petered out from blue to red to white and then back to blue again. But the thing that was most striking about him was not the color of his feathers, but the accordion that was strapped against him. It was familiar. She was almost sure she'd seen one before.
"Your Majesty," the Rito said with a graceful bow. "My name is Kass. I am a travelling minstrel. Your knight and I are good friends, and we worked together to both fight the calamity and restore some of his memories."
At that fact, Zelda's eyes darted to Link's. Though he looked slightly embarrassed, more disappointment shone through his eyes. He shook his head slightly. "With very little success, Your Highness."
Kass shrugged, seeming an eternal optimist. "We'll get there! We have made it this far." Returning his attention to Zelda, Kass continued. "You see, I have a unique advantage to help your knight: my teacher was a court poet, one who knew you personally. He was a Sheikah, one of Impa's people, named Kilik. Does that sound familiar to you at all?"
Zelda's eyes lit up. A memory of a tall, uniquely dark-haired Sheikah flooded into her mind. He'd been rather handsome, and she enjoyed his company, his songs especially, though she had never developed any true feelings for him. Another individual had already begun to fill that role.
"I do, of course! We met for the first time on the day of the Champion's Ball. We officially announced the Champions of Hyrule that day, and Impa brought several Sheikah to the castle for protection. We'd suspected a spy of being a member of the Yiga Clan…" she said trailing off. The spy had been a friend, and it was not a memory she wished to hold on to. "He was a good man. He helped me when Link…" she trailed off again.
Kass smiled sadly. "You've been burdened, Majesty. Forgive me. Though in your sadness, I see the truest beauty. You are more than the songs have ever described. More than my teacher ever did either, and he certainly had a lot to say about you. His devotion to you lasted until his last day."
"How did he die?"
Kass' wing brushed against the accordion. Zelda realized it looked so familiar because it was the same one that Kilik had used. "A long-standing illness got the better of him in the end."
Zelda placed her hand on his. "I'm truly sorry for your loss. I can see it still stings."
"It was some time ago, but yes. It does. And I'm sorry for yours. All of them."
Zelda had fallen into a mundane routine since she'd been in Kakariko, and having Kass around to break it was more than Zelda could have asked for. The Rito extended the time of supper, and after, the village joined together at the house to listen to the tales of the hero.
Beyond fascinated, Zelda was intrigued hearing the stories of the hero from 10,000 years earlier, how he and the champions and the princess truly defeated the Calamity. It reminded her both of her own successes and failures in that regard.
But as Kass continued to tell the tale, she realized that he'd switched, at some point, and the hero of the story became the Link she knew. Looking at him, she could see his smirk and red face. It seemed that only a few people had caught on to the change, but it only went to show how Link compared with a legend. They were on the same level of greatness.
The villagers began to leave for the night, only few remaining until it was Kass, Link, Zelda, Impa, Paya, Purah, Robbie, and Jerrin.
"So," Zelda asked when things had calmed down, "How are the people of Hyrule after Ganon's defeat?"
Kass turned to her, but his eyes flickered to Link. "They are relieved, to say the least. Many believe that it is all too good to be true, that Ganon will return, that their fields will burn again and that it's not worth planting seeds of the future. Others, myself included, believe it is done, that you have saved us all from a wretched fate. Most simply long for a glimpse of the Princess of the Past and the Hero of Hyrule."
Zelda studied him carefully. Though he spoke with confidence, there was something more that he was clearly omitting. She was unafraid, as she might once have been, to call him out on it. "You seem to be holding something back. Whatever it is… please, tell me."
Kass' eyes flickered between Link, Impa, and Zelda. "The leadership that we all have come to know in the absence of the monarchy is displeased with your return. They love their power, Majesty, and they are not going to relinquish it easily. They do realize, however, that you are Goddess-chosen, and your right to rule is divine. It's a struggle you'll likely find yourself in the midst of soon."
"Sooner than you think," Impa interrupted. "I sent word out to all who consider themselves leaders. I'll be expecting responses from King Dorephan, Lady Riju, Boss Bludo, Chancellor Cole, and Chief Kaneli very soon."
Zelda's eyes brightened. "King Dorephan is still the king? And did you say Kaneli? I knew him when he was a newly hatched fledgling."
Impa's eyes softened. "He's rather the aged bird now. Too fat to fly, and too old to remember."
Paya all but jumped from her seat in horror. "Grandmother! Do you realize what you've just said?"
Impa winked at her. "I'm far older than he is, and just as mobile. I can insult his age if I so wish. He and I are old friends, in both senses of the word. Don't let age dampen your humor, Paya. It's dull."
Robbie sniggered besides his wife, though he tried to hold it in. Purah practically jumped up and down in excitement. "You're insulting me! I'm the older sister!"
Impa flashed a grin at her. "For now, you are the younger one, child."
Zelda glanced beside her to see Link's lips turned up, watching the scene unfold. If he saw her watching him, he made no notice of it.
"Kass?" she asked, raising her voice over the bickering sisters. "Are the Yiga Clan still active?"
Link turned to her and shifted uncomfortably. "I took care of their leader. I don't know if they have a new one, but they were headless Cuccoos for some time. Without Ganon, I can't even see what their purpose would be."
Her relief was visible. The Yiga had haunted her daily thoughts and dreams 100 years ago, and she didn't need it now. "Well, are there still Bokoblins, Moblins, and the like wandering Hyrule?"
Link shrugged. "A few, yeah. They didn't leave when the Calamity ended, but I doubt any Blood Moons will be bringing them back this time."
"Is it safe enough for me to venture out tomorrow to see my kingdom? As much as I love Kakariko, I need to see what's happened."
"You should stay here," Impa said, speaking up and injecting herself into the conversation. "At least until the representatives come."
Zelda turned to her in shock. "No. That could be some time still. I have to see what the Calamity wrought."
"Well!" Purah shouted out in her childish voice. "Let me tell you that the Calamity was hard enough to handle when we lived through it! Nothing is there that you'll remember, Princess. It's going to be hard and you might cry but I say check it OUT!" Her hands gestured wildly.
Zelda forced a smile on her face, though it was hard to look at her former friend. There was very little of the woman she was friends with and remembered in this child. Even the way she spoke was worlds different. "Thank you, Purah. I'll be prepared." Zelda looked around, noticing that both Impa and Paya both wore equally distressed expressions. Zelda wondered how long Purah's childish form had been present for.
"Ach!" Robbie exclaimed. "You don't need to see that, My Queen. I'll tell you all you want to know. Though… I've been in Hyrule Field few times in the past century. I could bring you to my lab in Akkala"
Jerrin turned and glared at him, clearly disinterested in the invitation. But Zelda held up her hand. "Akkala is a bit far from everyone but thank you."
The next to input their uninvited opinion was Kass. He looked smug, glancing between Zelda and Link several times. "Link was your appointed knight 100 years ago. He remembers pieces of that life, and his skills are beyond any other's. If you wish to see Hyrule Field, your home, the ruins, everything, Link would be the most capable guard and guide."
Zelda turned to Link, a pang of heartache rushing through her at his disgruntled expression. He was glaring at the Rito, who only seemed to grow smugger by the moment. She knew there was something she was left out of. "Link served me well," she said, choosing her words carefully, "but his vow was to serve the Royal Family and myself through life or death. His… sacrifice was enough for me to consider him released from that vow. His life is his own now."
She could see surprise flicker through his eyes, though he composed himself quickly. "I'd be glad to escort you, regardless."
Feeling another bout of sudden dizziness, Zelda smiled and nodded, directing her gaze to the ground. It was her best effort to avoid being sent back to her room by Impa to rest. She could still feel at least one pair of eyes on her, and she was certain who they belonged to.
But Kass had begun to speak again, and the room was laughing. Zelda felt like she was floating, much as she had felt during her time holding Ganon back in the Sacred Realm to prevent the Calamity.
She tried to focus on Kass instead, willing herself to forget her uneasy feeling. He'd taken out his accordion and was beginning to play; a wordless melody at first, but he soon began to add lyrics to a song that he said was written by his teacher years ago.
"An ancient hero, a Calamity appears; Now resurrected after 10,000 years. Her appointed knight gives his life, shields her figure, and pays the price. The princess's love for her fallen knight awakens her power/ And within the castle the Calamity is forced to cower. But the knight survives! In the Shrine of Resurrection he sleeps, until from his healing dream he leaps! For fierce and deadly trials await. To regain his strength. Fulfill his fate. To become a hero once again! To wrest the princess from evil's den. The hero, the princess—hand in hand—must bring the light back to this land."
Zelda turned to Link. He was avoiding her gaze now, and it appeared that this wasn't the first time he'd heard this song. She turned her attention to Kass, who set his accordion down.
"My teacher, Kilik, was determined to see you two back from the dead, to restore the long-forgotten peace. He searched every document and played every song to learn of the hero of legend's fate in the hopes that he could pass on the knowledge to Link to save you."
"And that's how you and Link became acquainted?"
Kass nodded once. "I fulfilled my master's dying wish."
Impa reached out her hands, and Paya rushed up to grab them, pulling her grandmother to her feet. "Well," Impa started, "It's been quite the busy day. And apparently, our Queen has a busier day tomorrow. I'd like to take some rest. I believe we should all do so, and we can reconvene this gathering tomorrow."
Robbie and Jerrin were the first to leave, followed closely by Purrah and Kass. Link was the last, heading outside to the inn just across the way. Paya, Impa, and Zelda were left inside.
"I'm becoming a burden to your home," Zelda noted as Impa climbed into a small bed on the first floor. "I've completely upended things."
"You have," Impa agreed. "But I'd trade your disruption for nothing. It's much like the day Link came barreling in. A moment can change your life, and that was the start of a much-needed breath of air."
"Actually," Zelda said, turning to both Paya and Impa, though only Impa would have an answer. "I had a question about Link. When he… 100 years ago, he went into the Shrine rather battered. The Champion's Tunic I made him was ripped and torn, covered in burned holes from the Guardians' blasts, but he's wearing it now and it's perfect. Did you make a new one?"
Impa smiled. "No. The one he wears today is the same he wore 100 years ago. Purah and I fixed it. We rid it of blood and dirt and stitched it back. I held onto it until Link's return. Paya has nearly finished your white prayer dress you came to us wearing."
"Thank you, Paya," Zelda said kindly, an automatic response, as her mind was still on Link. "And thank you, Impa. You could have left it."
"The garb of all the Champions was always a symbol of hope. Seeing him in it these past few months has brought that same feeling back to Hyrule. Her people recognize him in his garb with the Master Sword. They love him."
Patting Impa on the arm, Zelda turned away from the old woman and headed up the steps to the room she still shared with Paya.
Zelda was glad it was an acceptable hour to fall asleep. Her head had begun to spin again, and she felt light, like she might drift off into the sky at any moment. Sitting down, she pulled a blanket over her, not bothering to change from her clothes. She needed to lie down.
She could hear Paya come up some time later, careful to keep her footsteps light and her nightly rituals quiet.
It wasn't for some time that Zelda fell asleep finally, and she immediately regretted closing her eyes.
She found herself in the Sacred Realm. As if she hadn't seen enough of it for 100 years, she had to visit it in her dreams as well. But it wasn't peaceful. She felt her arm tug violently and a roar ripped through the air.
Ganon was back, and she had let go of him.
She tried to reach him, to move herself closer so that she might take hold of him to seal him away again. Stumbling until she was falling, Zelda frantically reached out and took hold of a wisp of Calamity, pulling herself closer to the beast.
He fought to shake her off as he plummeted to the physical realm of Hyrule below them, but Zelda held firm, as she had done in the past. She summoned her sealing powers once again: power that was both offensive, as well as able to seal away evil's incarnate.
Immediately, she felt Ganon's powers fighting her back, and she was losing.
Though she'd struggled 100 years prior to unlock her sealing powers given by the Goddesses, now she called it to herself easily. She pushed against Ganon, forcing his power away with a great blast. But she could hear screams from Hyrule below, and she felt she was too late. Again, she willed her powers at Ganon, but he was untrappable. It was unlike any trial she'd ever faced.
The air shuddered, and her body began to shake. The screams were growing louder, and her fear began to overtake her. She'd failed Hyrule again. They'd all die again, all because she couldn't do her sacred duties.
Her eyes flung open and she found herself in Impa's house once again. Relief washed over her; it had only been a nightmare.
But the screams hadn't stopped.
She looked around, but was blinded by a bright light, one that dared a viewer to stare for too long.
It was beautiful and deadly. And it was coming from her own hand.
A/N: Hey! It's so great to see some familiar names again in the reviews and follows! HI! I missed you all! And it's great to see new names! HI! Thanks for hopping aboard the crazy train! Just kidding… (sort of)
But anyway, we're able to finally start getting out of the background stuff and into the new plotlines. I'm pumped. I have ideas, which is more than I had a few weeks ago! And I still don't have a ton to do in the real non-fanfic world, so I can hopefully quickly bang some chapters out for both stories I'm working on while I have time. On that note, I'm off to write! But I'll take time out to read your reviews! (OOO still doing that whole subtle thing there! Bet you didn't even notice that sad grab for reviews! It's really just a friendly nudge. I'll stop now.)
