Crimson Hope - Part II
Hylia watched her people from her throne in the sky, preparing to go to the surface to put her plan into action.
The other gods saw nothing but pitifulness, suffering, and darkness on the surface. Even the loftwings, her own creation, sought that she give up her plan to free the people of her land.
Hylia saw something else in the people. She saw their strength, and willingness to fight. She saw their reverence for the land they lived upon.
But most of all, Hylia saw a growing flame, and though it sometimes shrank, there were other times where it roared with strength. That flame was hope. Hope that her beloved people still held, despite the darkness and malice of the army they fought against. Despite the cruelty and greed of their leaders, whom she had led the Demon King's army to, in order to end their pitiful reign over her people.
The greatest example, of course, was the mortal whom she held in highest regard. He continued to fight, despite the pains others would inflict upon him. His strength and courage rivaled that of the gods. Her chosen champion.
Link.
"Greetings!" Kaepora, the man who had led the group who had come to free Link, cried out to the army. The thousands of warriors went silent, eager to discover what was to come to pass. "I am sure you have all heard of the deaths of our lords and leaders. But perhaps this is not as saddening as we had previously though. We can now choose leaders that care for something other than power!" The army cheered in triumph.
"I have already been chosen to aid in your leadership," Kaepora continued after the soldiers had quieted. "based upon your own wantings." The army once again cheered it's agreement. "However!" Kaepora's voice sounded slightly exasperated by the rowdiness of the soldiers. "I am not trained in the art of war. I could not lead you to battle with wisdom and clever plans. But there is another," Kaepora said, turning around, "who can. One who is willing to lead you, despite being wrongfully accused years ago"
Kaepora stepped back, and Link stood, making his way to the front and center of the platform. Murmurings spread through the army like a wildfire.
Link closed his eyes and drew in a breath to compose himself. These voices… it reminded Link of when these same people had shouted against him the day he was found 'guilty.'
"You murdered that child!"
"You're no better than those you protest against!"
"If you could commit such a crime, perhaps there is no hope for us."
"Shame on you, and all of your seed!"
"Disgrace!"
"Shameful excuse for a Hylian!"
He opened his eyes, completely composed and ready to address them. "People of Hylia!" Link called. The army silenced. "I know that many of you are distrusting of me."
"And won't trust you anytime soon!" A voice called angrily from the soldiers before him.
"And that," Link continued, "is perfectly fine. I am not here to prove my innocence. However, right now, despite our… differences of opinion, we all have a common goal."
Link looked around the army. He could easily spot boys who couldn't be past their sixteenth birthday. He saw men with gray hairs and tired eyes, dull from the horrible sights they had seen.
"I can see it in your eyes," Link said. "You have all been broken and beaten. You have seen things that our predecessors haven't even seen in nightmares. All of us have suffered, whether from the death of a wife, a child…" Link paused. "A sister, or a brother. Friends and comrades. All of us have been affected by this war."
The army was silent.
"No matter our differences, we all have that in common, as well as something else," Link said. He smiled, his hesitancy from before, gone. "Hope! Hope burns, whether a tiny ember or a raging fire, within all of us!"
The soldiers hesitated, before some began to cheer.
"We are all willing to fight and die for the end of this seemingly eternal suffering!"
This cheer was less hesitant, and more joined in.
"We are all willing to fight for our wives, our children, and this wonderful land that the goddesses have created for us!"
The army roared its agreement.
Link closed his eyes and blocked out the cheers for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. "My dear Land of Hylia…" his eyes flashed open, and a wide, hopeful smile consumed his face. "Though the hearts of the people, the trials and tribulations, may, and will, change with time, may this land's beauty, pride, and purity forever remain!"
The army erupted into cheers. Link glanced backward, where Kaepora smiled and nodded approvingly.
As the cries died out, Link turned back to face his comrades. "If you have need of me…" he called, "...then I will forever fight to defend you." He raised his hand upward in a fist. "Let us fight together, children of Hylia!"
The army cheered loudly as Link turned away and stood at the back of the wooden platform, Kaepora taking his place.
"I am sure that you all recognized that man," Kaepora said. "For that was none other than Link." The soldiers cheered once more. "Four years ago, he was framed by Lord Dagianis for a crime he did not commit. Yet he still agreed to come to our aid! He is experienced in battle, once a head strategist for the army. He knows how to lead us in war, and he will bring us to freedom from the chains of demons that threaten to bind us!"
The army cheered loudly.
Kaepora opened his mouth to continue his speech, when sudden confusion rippled through the soldiers. They were all pointing upward…
Link followed their gazes, and was shocked at what he saw. What-?!
A crimson bird - monstrous in size - was gliding toward them.
Link furrowed his brow as the people instinctively began firing arrows. This beast - it did not feel like a demon.
Link gasped as he spotted a glint of white and gold on its back.
"Hold your fire!" Link shouted. "There's someone on it!"
The order spread around, and the soldiers stopped what they had been doing, their eyes instead following the bird's regal, crimson wings.
Link leapt out of the way as the bird swooped towards the platform, rolling to absorb the impact. He felt the platform shake as the beast landed heavily. Link could feel the wind swirling and pushing past him before the bird rested its wings at its sides.
A woman dismounted, and stood tall, towering above the tallest of men. She was clad in a snowy white gown, trimmed with gold, matching the flow of her long golden locks that fell far past her back. Her eyes were brightest blue, as if the sky itself lived within her, her irises a window to inside.
"I am the White Goddess, Hylia," the woman said, her voice divine and graceful, loud enough for all to hear. "I have come to aid you in your fight against evil."
Goddess? Link gasped. He pushed his way forward.
"Coming here was pointless, Hylia," a voice spoke from the loftwing, disappointment dripping from its words. "These people are so fearful they cannot see between their guardian goddess and the monsters who wish their destruction! The one I seek will not be found, here. They are of no use to fight alongside us!"
"No use?!" Link couldn't help but exclaim. He stood up, meeting the beast's pride filled golden eyes. "If you seek souls to fight alongside, there is not a more willing and able people. We will defeat the Demon King!"
"Oh?" The loftwing sounded amused. "And who might you be?"
"I am Link, a knight of the Land of Hylia," Link replied simply. "We humans may seem small in the eyes of a god, but there are those that remain among us with the courage to fight!"
"Hmph," The beast scoffed. "If this is truly so, then prove this to me!" The loftwing then proceeded to launch upward, sending wind towards the soldiers due to its powerful wings, before disappearing into the clouds above.
"The Demon King will soon raze the surface with the fires of destruction," Hylia said, drawing Link's attention back toward her. "I cannot simply stand aside while my land and people fall to ruin. My people, you can escape to the skies!"
Murmurs echoed through the soldiers, but Link remained firm, his eyes trained on the goddess.
Hylia raised a sword, made of otherworldly ores that glinted in the sunlight. "This is the Master Sword, a blade that repels evil. It shall sunder the earth, and act as a pillar to support the land as it makes its way up to the sky.
"And yet," she continued, "it was created by the gods, meant for our use alone," Hylia said. "In order to exert its power on the surface, it must be reforged by human hands." Hylia stepped towards Link, and offered the sword to him. "The hands of the most honorable hero in the land."
The army began to whisper, but Link heard it not. His mind, instead, raged like a swirling storm. Why me? Of all she could choose, why did the goddess consider him her best option?
Link shook his head. "Benevolent Hylia, I was imprisoned for a long time. I am weak, my strength and my honor tarnished. I couldn't possibly lay hands on this sacred sword. There is another, more favorable individual fit for the position."
The goddess seemed to frown, though Link was not sure if she showed emotions in the same way humans did. She then shook her head. "This blade knows whether or not you are tarnished," She said calmly.
"Link," She continued, bringing Link to absolute alertness. She had spoken his name with such… respect? No, there seemed to be something more than that in it. Perhaps I'm simply hearing things. "Do you intend to take revenge on the kingdom that held you in contempt? Or will you save it from doom?"
Shameful mutters spread through the army. They believe that they made a mistake, imprisoning me. They think that Hylia will not choose another.
Regardless of whether they are humans or gods… Link chuckled internally. All of them seek my answer. Truly, they use me whenever it suits them.
But similarly to that day just a short while ago, when they were pleading for him to come with them, out of the shadows and into the light, he already knew the answer.
"I accept."
'Ello again! The final part count for this story is three, BUT I am planning an epilogue! So... yeah. You're welcome.
As per usual, if you notice any errors or have any suggestions for improvement, I am completely open! That's one of the main reasons I started publishing fan fiction, after all!
Anyway, onto the replies to the reviews!
MeaninglessMayhem: To be honest, I wasn't expecting this, either. I was just going to write a Skyward Sword one shot about Link and Zellie as kids, but then THIS came up, and it was just SO much better. Anyway, THAT'S why there was that little snipit at the beginning of part one. I'm glad you like it so far!
bladeofthebookworms: I'm glad! This was a bit of a spontaneous creation, but the same is actually true for Before, so, hey, whatevs (did I seriously just say "whatevs?" What does that even mean?). I LOVE that manga - it's actually one of the things that got me super into Zelda. I am SO glad I spent all my money on Hyrule Historia, now! Anyway, once again, I am so glad that you like it so far!
Hmm... what else? Um... well, if you enjoyed this part, I'm glad! Leave a review and tell me what you liked! If you didn't, leave a review, anyway! But don't just write "I'd rather stare at the sun for the next two hours than read another second of this," because, for one, ouch. For two, I can't fix it if you don't tell me why! So first, tell me why you didn't like it. You may then proceed to tell me how much you hate it.
Sincerely (Probably),
Ari