Chapter 1

Rising Wolf


"If your attack is going too well, you're walking into an ambush."

-Infantry Journal


How could I forget the first day I met the Hero of the Time? It started as any other for me- I was on my fifth or sixth day without food (I got lucky and managed to kill a rabbit days ago), and when I woke up, I left my den to get some water.

I planned to search the fields of Hyrule for food that day, but... at my usual watering hole, I met a man.

It wasn't the Hero. The Hero of the Time wore a green tunic and hat. This man wore a black suit and top hat. He didn't acknowledge my presence until I got closer.

"Hello, Canis... former Assassin Canis," were the first words he said to me. The man had a common enough face; the only thing that set him apart from anyone else was his mustache.

I stared up at him for a few moments.

"...Do I know you?" I asked. He resumed staring out at the water.

"I hope so. I know you."

"...Doesn't it bother you that I am a wolf?" I asked. "Why speak to an animal?"

"You're hardly any different than you were when you served Al Mualim."

"How do you know... I served the Order of Assassins? I don't remember you!"

"Oh, I know quite a lot about you, Canis... just about everything there is to know, actually. I know that you were born in a stagecoach to latin-speaking parents, I know you were raised as an Assassin, I know how proud your mother was when you started walking... I know that you used to think Al Mualim was Sinterklaas... do you remember thinking that, Canis?"

I stared for a few moments. "No."

"Then, why would you remember me, friend? You cannot even remember yourself."

I was silent for a moment, and then I perked up again. "Don't you realize you're in the Lost Woods? You should leave, before you are cursed."

"Oh, the Deku Tree's influence doesn't bother me..."

"...Are you protected?"

He shrugged a little. "In a way."

I was silent, and he continued.

"Canis, have you ever heard of the Hero of Time?"

I nodded. "I heard the legend."

"Right, and you know about those monsters patrolling the corridors in the Sacred Forest Meadow, don't you?"

"Yes, but... how do you know of them?"

He ignored my question.

"The Hero of Time will be heading for the Sacred Forest Meadow today. He's not aware of the monsters patrolling the corridors that will try to stab him on sight. He'll be in this area in around two hours. Why don't you find him and advise him how to best proceed?"

I kept staring. This man was beginning to annoy me.

"Who do you think I am?" I asked. Finally, the man slowly turned.

"Oh, I know exactly who you are, Canis... just if you've got the time, is all."

"Who are you?" I asked. He simply turned away from the water.

"Look after yourself."

With those words, he walked off. I stood where I was for several seconds. I eventually shook my head. Since I knew that searching for food would ultimately end unsuccessfully, I decided I'd go meet with the Hero of the Time. Maybe he'd have meat for me?

I spent the two hours beforehand as I typically did: I thought of my shortcomings in my battle against Ganondorf.

I did not keep track of the men I killed as an Assassin; of the lives I ended for what my master believed was the "greater good". I was not the best when sent to take a target alone (that's not to say I was useless), but when I was sent with my two partners, we were very effective.

Sanford and Deimos. These were my partners for missions from 1189 to 1198. Our last mission was of Ganondorf. If we succeeded, I would not be telling this story right now.

It was my fault we went on the mission. Ganondorf killed my wife and boy... my lovely Abigail, and my son... the boy she named "Link".

I never met my boy. I was too attached to the brotherhood to care for my wife and child. I was always overseas. While I'd send her support through warm words and money, there is no substitute for being there in the flesh.

I never saw my baby boy except through Abigail's words... and how I loved him just by her descriptions; her letters...

"...blue eyes that are deeper than the sea that seperates us..."

Every day since his and her murder (Ganondorf chased them into the Lost Woods- forbidden trees that destroy non-forest nymphs or animals), I regretted never being home. Even if they were not killed, I likely wouldn't see them. My boy was born in 1187... and was killed shortly after his birthday in 1188. Ganondorf tried hard to cover up what he did, but... the Assassins have eyes everywhere. I learned the truth... so when I heard that Ganondorf was being targeted, I volunteered my team to go.

I was good with the sword. Had I gone several years before, I'd likely succeed... but our battles with the Templars (our enemies) were growing fierce. One of our best let arrogance get the better of him... our master betrayed us...

...too many things went wrong. The only thing good that came of our attack on Ganondorf was my being absent from Masyaf when Al Mualim betrayed us.

I digress. What I mean to say is, had we been sent sooner (before Ganondorf would have a chance to become too powerful), the evil Gerudo would have been stopped, and all would be well off for the land.

Had I succeeded, my two friends would not be dead and buried in undisclosed locations, and I would not be cursed to wander the lands as a tormented wolf.

I wonder sometimes why Ganondorf chose "wolf", of all animals. Maybe he found something ironic about a big, strong beast being unable to defeat him. All I know is, he used me as an example of what might happen to those who attempt to buck the system. My fate isn't known to be a reality; I'm a horror story told around campfires at night... but it happened.

I wouldn't be searching for the Hero of the Time by smell otherwise.

It wasn't too long before I managed to get him by ear, too. (That's not too tough; the soul of the forest is not so loud that you cannot hear yourself think, and that was true even more so when Ganondorf was in power).

"What's that saying? When you ass-ume you become a pain in the ass to me?"

It wasn't long before I had them by sight, too... the green-garbed boy, and two forest fairies (one green, the other blue).

I approached from behind, and I didn't want to make the boy think that I was there to cause harm, so I became submissive. My tail sunk between my legs, my ears drooped, I avoided eye contact (I'd glance up at him every so often), and I shook.

The blue fairy noticed me first. It almost immediately started quivering while flying.

"Jack, watch it..." she said. The green fairy (I guess Yack) turned to acknowledge her a bit.

"What? He's old enough to hear a little sailor-talk!"

"No, I mean watch it!"

The speed at which the Hero drew his sword and shield was impressive. He whirled around quickly and smoothly.

When I looked at his face, I was reminded of my baby's description. The Hero has blue eyes and blonde hair... but it's a common enough look.

Even if he was named "Link", it wouldn't be so strange. It's a common name in Hyrule.

"Wait a minute..." muttered the Hero. He was studying my stance.

"...You... you're the one that's supposed to destroy Ganondorf, aren't you?"

If I had the means to, I would have laughed. The expression the boy wore (I could only imagine his fairies had the same thing; they're too small and my vision's not perfect) was one of pure surprise. I didn't blame them; I was, after all, a talking wolf. I continued speaking.

"I've heard the legends! An evil man takes over the land and a boy from the forest pushes him back. Besides that I can smell the purity coming off of your sword. It's the Master Sword, is it not?"

"Who are you?" they all asked at once. I felt a little more comfortable (they were not going to attack me just yet), and I sat down, panting.

"Right now I'm a wolf in the present tense. Seven years ago I was "Canis". I wish to be a wolf in the past tense... and you are?"

"I... I'm Link... how is it possible that you speak?"

Link! I thought so; he looked like a Link. I smiled the best I could at him.

"Such is the power of the Lost Woods. Now then, do you want to know a secret?"

The Hero nodded, but he remained at the ready for an attack. I sighed and shut my eyes.

"Seven years ago I was a human. I was a man with aspirations on Ganondorf's life. Two friends shared my goal."

Before I could continue, the blue fairy interrupted.

"Do you believe him, Link? He could be working for Ganondorf!"

I growled lowly at the accusation. "I assure you that I'd be tearing Ganondorf's throat out right now if I could."

The blue fairy crossed her arms, and Link spoke up.

"So were you one of these "Assassins" or "Templars" that I've heard so little about? Tell us your alleged story."

"I was an Assassin. My friends were Assassins. Together we formed a trio called the "Dangerous Three". We came to put an end to Ganondorf's rule by any means necessary. We did what we could to slow his progress to a halt: We broke into his motel rooms, lit his belongings on fire, stole any boats shipping supplies to his supporters, and killed those he allied with to make a statement. Then the order came to kill the man. We tried- and failed. Sanford... Deimos... my friends were killed by the man. After we failed, the rest of the Assassins came to finish what we started- and all failed."

In reality, not every Assassin came to Hyrule. Really, only a few hundred did, as Hyrule has no standing Order. However, we work better in darkness, so it's best for everyone to think that we're gone.

"And yourself? Why did Ganondorf spare you?" the boy asked. I growled.

"He did not spare me! Look what he did to me! He cursed me into this form, he cursed me to remain in this form as long as he remains in power! I wish I was dead every day!"

The others were silent, and I continued.

"Immortality may be the desire of some, but it is no gift. It is torture. I eat very rarely. While it won't kill me, hunger hurts! Every day I think back to our failures... if Sanford had just been more offensive... if Deimos worked with us as a team... We may have had a shot."

I took a moment to breathe, and the three before me remained silent.

"Please... Link. I want to rest. I want to sleep. I cannot without the death of Ganondorf, though. Cursed I may be, but I can return the favor. This much I assure you."

I had a feeling... a gut feeling. I was preparing to try to do something, but Link interrupted me.

"I do not wish for you to repay me, Canis. I promise Ganondorf will fall to my blade. I make this promise for you and for the greater good."

This hero would make a good Assassin. He is very level-headed. Still, I sighed.

"I must help. I must repay your kindness. I am cursed, but in the Lost Woods even I have gained some power."

I felt the magic coursing through my veins, however temporarily. Mental, I took hold of the curse that binds me in this form, and I removed some aspects. No, I can't break my own curse, but I can alter it and place it upon someone else, too.

I gave Link my curse, but I turned it into a gift. It is what is called a "Sleeper Spell", and it passes through bloodlines. However, Link would be able to break the spell, he would not be immortal, his life would not be bound to anyone else's, and it is up to the Goddesses to decide when the spell should be active. Needless to say, after I passed my gift to him, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Perhaps you or your descendants can find a better use for this form than I. I have given you a sleeping power; one that will awaken when the need arises. It will pass on from generation to generation in your family: The power of a cursed wolf... or perhaps a sacred one. You may never experience what I have given you, or maybe you will. Regardless, I have a feeling it will come in useful along the path of history."

The boy bowed to me. "Thank you, Canis. I'm sure it will."
I returned his bow as best as I could, and then I eyed him again.

"I have a hunch that you're heading to the Sacred Forest Meadow. Be wary of the corridors, monsters will patrol them and stab anyone on sight."

Link smiled. "Thank you for the warning, Canis."

With that, I uttered a phrase I grew up hearing.

"Nihil versus, omnia licita. Goodbye and good luck, my friend."

...And then I turned and walked off. For the first time in a long time, I started to feel good about myself; about my simple verbal exchange. I wasn't smiling inwardly for long before I noticed the man from earlier walking alongside me. He walked casually with his hands behind his back, and he looked straight ahead. For most, the Lost Woods are disorienting, but... he looked like he knew exactly what he was doing.

"The stereotype of the Assassin Order is that you love killing; you love violence... isn't it?"

I stared up at him. He continued.

"Why would a bloodthirsty Assassin warn someone of possible danger? What gives you the right to decide who lives and who dies?"

This time, I spoke.

"You say you know me, yet you aren't aware that I dislike killing? You aren't aware that I only killed when necessary, and we let those that did not need to die flee?"

"Oh, I knew. I know that Sanford never agreed with your ideals, too."

We were both silent for a few moments, and I even stopped walking.

"Who are you?" I asked again. He turned to face me.

"You know, I admire you, Canis. Really, I do. Anyway, now that you've acquainted yourself with the Hero of Time, what did you notice about his choice of armor?"

The boy... he had a sturdy metal shield and some chainmail. Other than that... he was unprotected. Chainmail is effective blocking ranged attacks, but not much more.

"It's hardly armor at all," I answered. The man continued.

"I know that the Assassins have weapon and armor caches hidden throughout Hyrule, and I know that one happens to be just under the Forest Temple. Why don't you go there, see if you can find him some armor? Or don't! I know that the unknown can be awful scary..."

There was a pause. He turned to look out at the forest.

"Canis, what do you know about the Kokiri?"

I blinked, but didn't get up. I was comfortable where I was laying.

"I know that they are forest nymphs that live in the woods. I've met a couple."

"They fed you a few times, didn't they?"

I stared. "You approached the hero soley because you thought he might have food or something for you to eat. The hero believes he is a Kokiri, too."

"That's impossible," I muttered, and my eyes slowly widened.

"The hero is a Hylian."

The man chuckled lightly. "You and he have so much in common... or had."

"Because we were both Hylian?"

"Well, because you're both skillful with swords. And because your son-"

I growled at the mention of my child. "People go missing in these woods all the time. If he was my son, my wife would be here still, too."

The man nodded. "Oh, I agree entirely, Canis. She would still be here."

"Tell me your damn name!"

He chuckled lightly again. "Many damn my name. Just thought I'd let you know that. Maybe you can tell the Hero, along with finding that armor? Or keep it; not sure it'll make a difference."

Before I could respond, he started walking off again.

"See you around, Canis."

I stared at him while he slowly walked for a few seconds, and then I turned my head the other way; looking at the peak of the Forest Temple just barely above the treetops.

The Assassins have weapon and armor caches hidden throughout the world... but only a handful are simply rooms with goods in them. Most are dungeons filled with traps that only Assassins know to avoid. In Hyrule, there's something even better:

The magic throughout Hyrule is used even by the Assassins. Since there is no standing Order in Hyrule, monsters were created to guard our devices. Only Assassins are permitted through without attack. I was an Assassin, but... outwardly I was an animal. Should I enter the Forest Cache, I would be attacked... and since the Assassins attacked Ganondorf, I wasn't sure if I would find any armor.

Once I gave it more thought, I felt like I probably would find something. The Forest Cache is in the Lost Woods, and only Assassins wielding Goddess-blessed instruments would be permitted in the woods long enough to access the armor. Since the attack was so sudden, odds were not everything was taken.

I decided to help the Hero in this way. This isn't some game; he's not going to find some magic heart that'll somehow make him stronger. If he hopes to survive, he has to have armor. I started trotting back into the Sacred Forest Meadow (those monsters that patrol the corridors don't bother me, since I'm not the Hero of the Time).

I ran. I didn't want to miss the Hero of the Time (I could only hope that he wouldn't get killed inside the Forest Temple). Though he's a hero... I don't feel like he's so smart if he'll run into battle wearing only chain mail and a tunic on his body.

When I made it to the Sacred Forest Meadow, I knew where to go. I could smell the Hero's scent heading into the Forest Temple through a window (the doors were blocked off). I could also smell another person, but I did not know who it was.

I made sure that nobody saw where I was going (though it is said that the Templars were eradicated, too, they are also simply in hiding). I felt kind of stupid after I gave it some thought, though. Who would be around to see me enter the cache, anyway? Anyone this far into the Lost Woods would've turned by now... and the Assassins have more important things to worry about right now... like conflict amongst themselves.

I walked right to the entrance to the cache. It is directly behind a stump in the Sacred Forest Meadow, covered by moss. If you remove some of the moss, you'd see the mark of the Assassins. It is a doorway that requires a key to open, and then the Assassin crawls through it.

Our keys were typically the hidden blade. Since I no longer had my hidden blade (or opposable digits), I opted to ram my body into the small door until the lock gave way. They aren't strong locks, but security inside is usually what is focused on. We tried to make the insides of our caches so hazardous to non-Assassins, that anyone who broke in would regret it fairly quickly.

Though my allegiance will always be with the Assassins (I'd consider myself one until the day I die), I would probably be put to death for what I was doing right now. I broke into a weapons cache (anyone that uses them for reasons not specified is punished), and now I was crawling through the doorway. The door shut behind me, and I was surrounded by darkness for a few moments while I continued forward.

It was musty and dank. I could hear water dripping (I could even hear the footsteps of either the Hero or a few monsters in the temple overhead). When I finally got through the crawlspace, the cache opened up to several corridors, each advertising their own devices: weaponry, leggings/greaves, and chestplates/vambraces.

I didn't think I'd have to get Link a sword (he has one), so I opted for the armor. Sure enough, the moment I took a step into the corridor labeled "leggings/greaves", spikes erupted from the walls above me. Had I been standing on two feet instead of four, I'd have been in serious trouble (Ganondorf's curse on me is immortality. I'm not exactly sure what would happen to me then, and I don't intend to find out).

I took a breath and watched the ground as closely as I could, while at the same time trying to keep an eye ahead of me.

Skeletons littered the floor as I walked; bodies of would-be robbers that tried to do what I was doing right now. Some were hanging upside down by a rotting rope, others were impaled to walls, others still lay dead at the feet of redeads (they ignore animals), and many more were simply lying on the floor. Most looked like they died holding a weapon. Whatever it is guarding this cache was talented, that's for sure...

My front right paw stepped forward, and it immediately sunk through the ground. Dirt for several feet ahead of me gave way and fell into a punji pit below. Again, had I not been on four legs, I'd be one with the spikes. I was liking being a wolf more and more.

Once I regained my balance, I took a few steps back and leapt over the trap... but it was like I was expected to do that. Several spikes actually shot up from the pit, and one managed to make a large gash in my hind leg. The impact knocked me off balance in mid-air and I tumbled a few times on the other side. (I had forgotten about that particular trap and several others).

The impact stung, but I tried to fight off whimpering. I went several months without food before, and Ganondorf made every moment excruciating. This was a mere cat scratch. Behind me, the spikes slowly retracted back into the floor.

Once I shook off the trap, I continued. The corridor stretched and stretched... yet the only monsters I found guarding against invaders were redeads, and they only go after humans. Still, I knew there would be something out there that would harm me. Redeads were a favorite of the Assassins, but they weren't the only things out there.

I was reasonably surprised when I made it into the leggings/greaves cache without any other hassle.

In the middle of the room was a statue of a legendary Assassin known as Ptolomey. He worked in sciences, but in the darkness was also one of the most effective Assassins of his time. At the heart of many of our weapons caches is a figure of a legendary Assassin (in one there might be a status of Brutus, another our former mentor, etc), and a plaque describing what the Assassin did. Ptolomey's description was now worn away and unreadable (I wasn't very good at reading, anyway), but his likeness was here for a reason.

Once I was done staring, I looked around at the leggings that were left. All the great armor (Assassin Magistro, for instance. I would have killed to wear it in my time) was gone now. The only stuff left was the minimum- Assassin Novicius. It is what our lowest ranks wear, and it provides minimal protection against ranged attacks, and it's heat resistant. It provides no other decent protection because our lowest ranks are typically just scouts. They have to avoid ranged attacks and be able to resist the weather they might be subject to.

After making sure that there was nothing more, I reluctantly worked the armor onto my back (I held the greaves in my mouth). This would have to do.

The good news for me was there was a shortcut to the other caches (there was even an exit in the room that held the chestplates). The shortcuts had a few traps, too, but it would be easier to use them than to go all the way around.

After running my way through the hall (it didn't have as many traps because it had more creatures guarding it, and they might trip them), I made it into the room that held the chestplates and vambraces. I avoided all conflict in the hall, wanting to get this done with. I was getting tired and weaker still from hunger.

I was on my way up to the chestplates and vambraces when something smashed into my ribs and sent me several feet to my side with a yelp.

The greaves fell from my jaws and the leggings flew off my back. For a few moments I lay still, pushing back the pain I felt. When I eyed what hit me (it was a battleaxe), and then I looked at my side, I knew I took the entire impact but suffered no external injury. Still, it hurt a lot.

I was being attacked by a re-creation of Ptolomey. This doppleganger was likely used to guard the armor against thieves/Templars. It must have been tracking me from the leggings/greaves room.

The doppleganger stared me down and slowly raised the battleaxe. Neither I nor the doppleganger exchanged words. True Assassins speak to their targets before or after a conflict- never during.

I had to defeat the doppleganger if I wanted to walk out of the cache with the armor (it probably wouldn't let me leave even if I went without anything), but I was wary. The dopplegangers created from the magic in Hyrule look like those they are based on and fight similarly to those they are based on, but... they do not fight exactly like the originals. I credit my victory over Ptolomey's doppleganger to this exactly: had I been fighting something equal in skill to Ptolomey, I would probably have found out just how "immortal" Ganondorf made me. How many more strikes from a battleaxe could I take?

I didn't want to find out. I charged forward and leaped into the air, aiming to grab Ptolomey by the throat... but he weaved out of the way and I just barely missed having my head taken off by his battleaxe.

Instictively, I was baring my teeth and growling while we danced around each other. He went for an attack, but I wasn't two ranks below Assassin Magistro for nothing. This time, I dodged out of the way (I weaved to one side and dashed behind him). Once I was behind him, I lunged for him again, this time just trying to knock him off balance.

I managed to knock him down (he lost his grip on the battleaxe), but as I went to dig my fangs into his neck, he elbowed me. I recoiled for a moment, and that was all he needed to turn the tables.

I was pinned to the ground by the neck, and I saw Ptolomey extend his hidden blade. I couldn't get him off me, and he turned my head to one side.

Be it coincidence or luck, he turned my head in the direction of his battle axe (it was within reach of my jaws). I knew I couldn't do much harm to him with it, but I latched onto it with my teeth and I stopped the blade with it before I got hit.

The battleaxe intervention gave me just enough time to break free of Ptolomey's hold. I dropped the axe and latched onto his wrist with the now broken hidden blade, and I wrestled myself out of his hold. I used my advantage to knock him to the floor again, and this time I allowed for no time on his part to react. I bit down hard on his throat, and then released him when I was sure I won.

"Though you are only a shadow, it was an honor to battle you," I said. After these words, the doppleganger disappeared.

Once he was gone, I took a breath and retrieved the chestplate, vambraces, leggings, and greaves. (I held the vambraces and greaves in my jaws, and I fit the chestplate and leggings around my torso by way of belts attached to them). Despite my ingenuity, it wasn't the most comfortable way to wander.

With my treasures in tow, I escaped through a wooden door that was ajar, and from there I climbed several flights of stairs to sunlight above. The exit I chose emptied behind a few boulders (I had to break through a few vines to get out completely).

Once I was out, I started to find my way back to the Sacred Forest Meadow. I found a cave not far from the Forest Temple, and I set the armor down inside. Once that was done, I plopped down to rest my legs. I kept my ears up the whole time, though. I didn't want to miss the Hero.

As I was laying down, I thought about what that strange man told me. My son's name is Link, he disappeared with my wife into the Lost Woods and both died... if he was my son, shouldn't my wife still be here, too?

I knew that I'd never pick up the scent of my child (since he came to these woods as a baby, he'd have been killed by the magic in these trees. My wife would've been cursed). Though her shape would be different, her scent would remain (more or less) the same. If she was for some reason still human, then the Hero must be my boy.

I started sniffing at the ground, trying to find her scent (I've been a wolf for 7 years; I know how to do these things). I had to sniff at dry dirt and I ended up sneezing a lot, I had to make sure I didn't walk into trees or into an unwanted battle, I had to ensure that I wouldn't forget where I left the armor, and I had to be careful to get back before the Hero left the Forest Temple.

It was a bitch and a half, but I finally managed to find her scent. Once I did, it was only 5 minutes or so before I found her, or what remained of her.

She was not a human. She was in no way a human... it broke my heart to see what she became- a Stalfos. She spotted me, and all I saw in her hollow eyes was the need to kill. There was nothing left of my love in those eyes. If this was her fate, then my child is long gone.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as she stalked towards me. For a moment I debated putting her out of her misery... and though I've done many bad things in my life, even I could not bring myself around to do that.

I turned away and started running back to where I left the armor. I didn't openly cry for her, but tears fell from my eyes. My heart ached... but at least I knew now. I knew the fate of my Abigail, and I believed now that I knew the fate of my child.

If this boy suffered the same fate as my family did, then I did not want to keep him in the dark. Even so, I was disappointed. That strange man gave me a little hope on his last visit (though I still did not like him). To find that my wife was gone hurt, and my hopes were dashed.

I got close enough to my spot in time to hear the Link talking with his fairies, and I smiled the best I could. The soul of the forest was louder now (still not loud enough to interrupt thinking), and it sounded healthier.

The Hero succeeded. I trotted up to him and announced my presence by speaking.

"You've lifted the curse on this temple, and the soul of the forest is regaining it's lost strength. Well done, Link."

The hero and the fairies turned to look at me. Inwardly, I growled. I forgot the armor, and I'd have to run back and get it.

My eyes widened a little at the sight of his chainmail. Yes, I'd definitely have to get it. His chainmail wasn't providing any complimentary protection, and that's putting it lightly. It was shredded.

"Thank you, Canis," said the Hero. He sounded a little down, and I thought it wouldn't do to have the Hero of the Time sad, so I sat and tilted my head.

"But... it seems as if you are not without loss. Rest for a spell and tell me what is on your mind, Hero," I said. At my suggestion, Link sat down before me. His fairies rested on his shoulders.

"Canis, my best friend was the Sage of the Forest," he said. At these words, I perked up.

"Really? That is an honor, Hero! It is not a cross to bear."

"The consequence of such a responsibility is that I cannot see her again. Ever. I've lost my friend."

Again, I tilted my head a little.

"Although you are separated, don't ever consider your friendship lost. I consider my friends who died still with me; my family that died still with me. You may not see her again, but duty cannot destroy a true friendship."

My words weren't helping him so much yet, but they made me feel a little better. He stayed silent. I nudged him with my head so he'd pay attention, and I continued.

"Okay, let me ask you this, Hero: Do you love her? Do you love her like she was your family?"

He nodded. "I want her to be happy. Nothing else matters."

"And I'm sure she wants to see you happy, too," I said. Link was still not so sure.

"Think. If she's a good friend then she'd want you to be happy and move on. The world needs you, Hero. Show it your strength and make your friend proud."

Finally, I got him to smile. "Thank you, Canis."

I smiled in response. There was a brief pause.

"What of your friends?" he asked cautiously. I got tired of sitting and so I lay down before him.

"I had two: Sanford and Deimos. Which interests you?"

"Tell me about Sanford first."

I sighed. I hadn't spoken about my two friends much since what happened.

"Sanford never knew how to take a joke," I began. "He was talented in many forms of fighting but not so much at compassion. He liked to shoot first and ask questions later. Sanford carried around a large hook on a rope to use as a weapon. He was well-spoken and great if you wanted something to get done. Now, Deimos on the other hand..."

I took a breath, and let out a whine. I hoped nobody heard it (the green fairy, Yack, looked like he did).

"...Deimos was Sanford's polar opposite. He loved joking around and took almost nothing seriously. He preferred ranged weapons and was good at listening. He was good for distracting innocents while Sanford and I did what we had to do, though sometimes he'd... sometimes he'd do the job and he'd do it right."

I let out another whine. "The point is your friends never leave you. Remember that."

He nodded. "I will."

"Before you leave," I said. "I have something to tell you."

He stared, waiting. "What is it?"

I took a breath. Now, I didn't think anyone would believe that a mysterious stranger that knew everything told me this, so I made something up on the spot.

"I did some digging around the woods and heard stories from deku scrubs and skull kids that saw you seven years ago. I compared their descriptions of you to descriptions of the Kokiri. Something was off."

The only one that knew what I was talking about was the blue fairy, Navi. I acknowledged her, and continued.

"Kokiri don't grow up, Link. Kokiri always have fairies; you only got two when you were eleven. Link... there's no more doubt in what I want to tell you."

"What is it?" asked Link. I took a breath. This would either make him or break him.

"Link, you're not a Kokiri. You're a Hylian."

There was a brief pause before he responded.

"What? That's not true, Canis. The Great Deku Tree said I'm a Kokiri."

"No, you're not..." said his blue fairy. At around that point I stopped paying so much attention to the conversation and I started to think about the number of people that got lost in these woods.

Of all the people that did not belong here; of all the people the woods rejected, Link was the one that they allowed to come and go whenever. It is a fact that Kokiri die when they leave the forest. Link has gone mutliple times, and it never occurred to him. Perhaps he just thought he was the chosen one, or something? He was, after all.

If I paid attention to what Navi told the hero, maybe I'd have less to be depressed about. I don't try to depress others or seek pity by way of my story (Deimos might use a sad story to get company in bed), I just try to live on. I've struggled with the idea of going to kill Ganondorf again from time to time, but I just can't. Not like this. Over the years I learned to use this body (it's not killing to eat that I have trouble with. It's actually having a successful hunt). I can fight to defend myself, sure, but... I still wouldn't stand a chance against Ganondorf. If I couldn't do it as a human, there's no way now.

When I came to again, Navi had yelled at Link for something. I guess she explained to him what happened in his past, and he got upset and said something stupid, because she told him not to blame Yack; it wasn't his fault.

"Forgive and forget," I finally said. He sighed and put his head in his hands.

"Navi, I'm so sorry. I just... I feel like I've been living a lie," he said (him and me both).

"I understand, Link. You have not been living a lie. You are the Hero of Time, Link."

Navi the blue fairy was very sweet. She cared for him very much- almost like a mother cared for a son (I didn't know Yack so well at the time). I felt like anyone that came into contact with her would be her friend in under a day. Link was lucky to have her.

"I don't think I've ever been this confused before," said Link. I smiled the best I could.

"Destiny is confusing."

He nodded. "It is... Canis, why don't you come with us?" he asked.

I froze for a moment. If I went with Link, not only would I be able to show him where to find the armor, but I'd be able to help him clear the temples and then kill Ganondorf... Additionally, I might have a constant source of food.

If I went with him, I could be more or less happy... yet, I felt like it was wrong. My time has come and gone as a hero. I shook my head.

"It is your destiny that lies in the temples, not mine," I said.

"Very well," he said. He looked up at Navi. "Again, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Link. Now, is there anything else, Canis?" she asked.

I fought not to smile. It was time to get the Hero of the Time out of that torn up chainmail.

"There is one thing: I can't help but notice the condition of your chain mail, Link."

He started playing with the holes and slashes in it.

"Yeah, it seems to be failing me."

"Link, chain mail is effective for resisting ranged attacks. The cuts and slashes on your chain mail are caused by melee weaponry... to be specific I'd say... a Mongol's Sword?"

I knew exactly what type of sword he was struck by, because I saw the marks a Mongol's Sword can leave on armor, and I've seen the aftermath of an attack by one- one of our Assassins lost an arm to one.

As I thought about Malik's injury, I continued (trying not to wince). "I have to say, it's a miracle you even survived being struck by a Mongol Sword. You truly are the tempore heros; the... Hero of the Time. I'd like to give you something; a stronger armor. Hold on a moment."

With that, I trotted off to where I hid the armor. After I made sure nobody had eyes on it, worked it onto my body (it took a little bit). Eventually, I had everything, and though I did my best not to drag it in the dirt, I couldn't really help it. After what I did to get it, a little dirt was the least of my worries. When he was done with it, I had to remove it from existence (I can't say how that's done- do nothing that could compromise the brotherhood).

When I finally got it back to Link, I saw a confused look on his face. I set the greaves and vambraces down and bucked the chestplate and leggings off my back. Link knelt by me to look at the armor.

"This armor is used by the assassin novicius," I said. "It can resist heat and ranged, and weak melee strikes, but not much else. I will see if I can find stronger armor for you as time progresses, so come to the forest and see me once you finish whatever you're off to do now."

Once I finished speaking, Link started picking up the armor.

"How am I going to know when you're here or not?" he asked. I sat down and took a breath.

"Play this song on your Ocarina."

With that, I held my head high and I howled a melody; the song that was played to me when I was just a baby. Whenever I could not sleep, my mother would either hum this song to me or play it on her ocarina. She taught me how to play it on the Ocarina the day I was recruited as an Assassin.

My mother still lives, as far as I know. She is 65 and living in Italy with my father. I miss talking to them.

I digress. Once I finished the song, I looked up at Link, waiting. After a moment for him to regain his composure, he played the song once, and then again. I felt nostalgia flood through me, and I relaxed.

Yack named the song "The Song of Courage". My mother named it "Blessed son", but I liked his name for it, so I said nothing.

We bid each other farewell, and I left after uttering the basis of our creed to them- Nihil versus, omnia licita.

Most nights before hand, if I even slept, it was troubled, fleeting rest.

That night, I slept peacefully, and I dreamt of days gone by back home.

End of Chapter


7, 397 words.

The Strange Man is a nod to the stranger in Red Dead Redemption. We'll be seeing more of him.

"Yack" and "Hero of the time" are not typos. They're examples of broken english.

Next chapter is on finding armor for the water temple.