I forgot a couple things from when I first posted the Prologue. I forgot some warnings I could not fit into summery (due to character limit). There of course, will be as mentioned before, blood and gore, sexual scenes and etc. There will be death (not just monsters killed by link, but people too) and probably ideologically insensitive content. Despite what I write, you cannot complain nor report me for content. I have given a warning and I shall continue to do so. Each chapter that contains stuff like death and sexy stuff, there will be a per-chapter warning.
Okay, here's a real chapter and I hope you'll all be pleased with. (FYI, this will be mostly written in a 1st person point of view with only a few exceptions). Also there's a lot of in game dialogue to keep the story pretty on track.
Disclaimer:I, Tenrou Nogitsune do not claim ownership of the Legend of Zelda franchise, just this particular fanfiction written by me. LoZ is © to Shigeru Miyamoto.
Chapter I
Sunlight streamed through a small window across the bedroom of a small, two floored house. Though bright, it wasn't what had roused me from slumber. No, it was the boisterous voices of young children below chucking pebbles at the side of the house. I hadn't even had to go to the window to know. They did this often and they knew it bothered me.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I moved over to the window and pulled it open so I could stick my head out to address the children. I winced at the brightness of the mid morning sun. "Oi, stop throwing rocks at my house! I'm up! I'll be out in an hour or so!" They groaned, but I knew they'd just wait in the clearing just outside my house. This was a regular thing. Of all the days off, the brats couldn't let me sleep in for once! 'I wonder if their parents would get mad at me if I threw a clay pot at them. Probably.'
Before I went to eat breakfast, I glanced into a dingy mirror by the beside. A somewhat tamed mane of blonde hair barely reached my shoulders past my slender, pointed ears. In each ear, there was a blue metal ring that I was told belonged to my ancestors and I wore them as proof of my lineage, not that many people knew my parents nor was I told much. Although, the rest of the village seemed to have rounded ears. I was tall for a man in the village, being more than five and a half feet tall. Yep, just a normal Ordonian villager.
I whistled a tune as I lazily made my way down the stairs and grabbed a candle. I held the wick in the still smoldering embers beneath the cooking pot to catch a flame. Once the candle was lit, I opened the trap-door that lead to the cellar. With one hand, I climbed down the ladder and moved to the ice-box to took a lump of goat cheese. It was wrapped in wax paper, and so with a steady arm, I tossed it up to the next floor. After retrieving the cheese, I placed it on the table and cut a few slices of bread to go with the rest of my meager breakfast.
As I ate, I recalled the conversation I had with Rusl the day before...
[Flash back]
As I sat on the sandy shore of the Ordon Spring, breathing slightly harder, I was listening to the swordsman talk to me after the lesson on swordplay.
"...that is why loneliness always pervades at the hour of twilight," finished Rusl. He remained quiet for a moment before saying, "But enough talk of sadness... Link, I have a favor to ask of you." I was going to ask what of, but he did not give me time to speak and continued, "I was supposed to deliver something to the royal family of Hyrule the day after tomorrow. Although it was a task set to me by the mayor, but...would you go in my stead?"
"Uhh," I began, at a loss for words. He wanted me to deliver the package to THE royal family?!
"You've never been to Hyrule, right?" At my nod, he said, "In the Kingdom of Hyrule there is a great big castle, and around it is Castle Town, a community far bigger than our own little village. And far bigger than Hyrule is the rest of the world the goddess's created. I think you should look upon it with your own eyes." With a heave of his body, Rusl pulled himself to his feet and said, "It is getting late...We should head back to the village. I will talk to the mayor on this matter."
After he finished speaking, I too rose to my feet and helped Rusl load the stacks of wood for the village's hearths onto Epona, a chestnut colored steed whom I had been lucky enough to have bonded with. After leading my horse out to the bridge, Rusl locked the gate behind us before we returned to Ordon.
I was pulled from my reverie as the children started throwing pebbles again. Quickly, I finished my breakfast and brushed the crumbs onto the floor. I'd sweep that up later. I grumbled as I opened the only exit in the house. I didn't take the ladder. Instead, I jumped off and landed on the ground. The impact jolted my legs. It took mere seconds to recover. I found Talo, Malo and Beth jogging over to greet me.
"What was it you wanted?" I asked, stifling a yawn.
Excitedly, Talo shot off his mouth, "Hey Link! Didja hear? They're selling a slingshot at the store right now! A SLINGSHOT!" He grinned and blabbered on, "I wonder how powerful it is... I need... I must try it!"
"Talo, if you and Malo want it so badly, just buy it at my parent's shop!" huffed Beth as she glared at the slightly younger brothers.
Talo said with a retort, "Do you see any Rupees in my hand? I can't afford that thing! C'mon, Beth, can't you just loan it to us for a while?"
Beth scoffed, "You know I'd get in trouble for that! If you two want it, save up your allowances or something. Don't try and get me to do your dirty work!"
The short boy known as Talo complained, "But... our allowances terrible! Aww, I wish I was born into a family with a slingshot instead of one with a waterwheel..." He huffed and said, "C'mon Beth, we just wanna look at it a little. So can you get it? The slingshot? From the shop?" In a lower tone, he said, "If you can't do that...we can just trade families."
"KNOCK IT OFF!" shouted the young girl.
I shook my head. These kids were such a handful. How did their parents deal with them? I left them to bicker in front of my home and headed into the actual village.
Soon after I entered Ordon, I bumped into Hanch, the henpecked husband of Sera who ran the local shop. It seemed he was trying to knock down a Hylian beehive by chucking rocks at it despite his terrible aim. Fado would not be happy there were rocks all around his house. He'd told me that his wife's cat had run away.
As I passe by the river, Jaggle called out to me, "Yo Link! Up here!"
"Yeah?" He beckoned me closer, and I acquiesced. From the ledge where the thirty-something man was standing, I found some sturdy vines and climbed up. It bewildered me that the vines held my weight. Would be more convenient if the village just built in some footholds for easier access. "What's up Jaggle?"
"There ya are. Hehe, your voice carries well as usual," the middle aged man said, complementing me. "Check this out," he said, pointing across the way to a fishing pier. A calico cat sat on the edge of the dock, staring at the water. "You know Sera, at the general store? Well, isn't that her cat over there? He's just been having a staring contest with the creek next to my house. You don't suppose he's thinkin' he's gonna catch a fish, do ya? Ha ha ha! A cat can't catch no fish!"
At my shrug, he said, "Anyways, that's not what I was here to talk to ya bout. At the end of the creek here, some monkey's snatched a cradle for Uli's unborn kid. You're strong and athletic. Think ya can get it back?"
"No problem," I said, smirking. I hopped with ease to the next rock the rose from the water. Then, I jumped onto a faded red roof with a weather vane. With a running start, I leaped onto the next rock and then to the next. Unfortunately, the next rock was much to far for me to make. And at the far rock, there was a whitish monkey gloating with it's trophy.
I looked around, and found some unique grass growing beside me. One of the two types I liked to whistle with. Picking it, I held the grass near my lips and blew into it, making a pitch changing whistle. Somehow, this always seemed to call the largest hawk in the area, like a trained hunter falcon. As it land on the arm I held out for it, I pointed over to the monkey, giving it orders to retrieve the cradle.
With a large flap of it's wings, the hawk launched itself into the air. As it found it's target, the hawk screamed shrilly, 'kee-eeeee-arr'! It swooped low over the primate and snatched the cradle with outstretched talons. It let out another shriek with it's victory. Flying above me, the hawk let the cradle fall, and I caught it.
"Good job," I whispered as the hawk flew back over the trees past the territory of Ordon. I tucked the woven crib under my arm and returned to Jaggle and said, "Here, can you give this to Rusl and Uli? I've got some other stuff to take care of."
Chuckling, the middle aged man said as I handed him the wooden cradle, "Well I'll be damned, you're one hell of a guy Link. I doubt anyone else in the village woulda been able to get the cradle away from the monkey! Yeah, I can drop this by their house. I'll tell em how brave ya were." I chuckled quietly as I jumped down from the rock and went on to do other business.
Once Uli had found out I was the person whom had returned the cradle, she showered me with complements before giving me a fishing rod that Colin had crafted for me with the intention of fishing together. An idea formulated in my head, remembering Sera's cat by the creek. I told Uli I was busy and I would talk to her again sometime soon.
Near where I helped out at the Ordon Ranch where we had a barn of goats, I bid Mayor Bo a good morning. Before we could dive into an actual conversation, a loud, booming voice shouted from up at the ranch.
"WHOOOAAAA, A GOAT'S GOT LOOSE! IT'S HEADING FOR TOWN! SOMEONE STOP IT!" He had alarmed us too quickly and the goat stampeded past us into the forest. I was about to resume the conversation when Fado shouted again, "WAH, 'NOTHER GOAT GOT LOOSE!"
Reacting quickly and level-headed, I tossed the fishing rod to the mayor and dashed over to the road. I could see one of the black, thick haired goats charging down the path. Once I figured it wasn't changing its course, I planted my feet into the dirt and held my hands before me. As I was about to be trampled, I firmly grabbed the goat's semi-circle horns, slowing it down. I was only pushed back a couple feet before I was able to completely impede it's movement. I grit my teeth and heaved, shouting, "Seeeua!" The goat let out a whine as I threw it to the ground. It got up, becoming docile once again.
"Ugh, sorry 'bout that mayor," said Fado as he ran down from the ranch. "I'll try to keep em busy up there." He bowed apologetically and led the goat back up to the barn at the ranch.
I stretched, thinking I got a little workout for the day. I picked up the fishing rod and chatted up the mayor again, "So what were you gonna say?"
"Uh...man I forget. But now," he said, "That Fado...Sorry about that Link, but thanks to you, that goat didn't get away. Them goats have been pretty skittish lately. You always gotta be on yer toes. Looks like I'll be garnishing the cost of that goat from his wages. Anyways, see ya around!" There, we parted ways.
For the rest of the morning and some of the afternoon, I did some odd jobs around the village including catching a green-gill which Sera's cat Link (never understood why a cat was named after me) stole the fish and returned to his master. When I went to the shop, Sera was in a good enough mood to give me a bottle of milk...even though it was half empty. But still, she let me keep the bottle. Not to mention I used the hawk to knock down the beehive Hanch was so desperately trying to get and gave the larvae inside to him.
After earning enough Rupees from odd jobs and my normal wages, I returned to Sera's Sundries and asked for the Slingshot. She'd seemed wary when I bought it, but I assured her I was doing it for the children since they had been so excited for it.
When I returned to my house, Rusl had informed me that he left a gift for me inside a chest on the ground floor of my house. Before I could put a foot on the ladder, the three kids swarmed up to me.
Talo seemed to have saw the slingshot sticking out of my pocket as he said, "WHOA! Link has a slingshot! Amazing!"
Trying to be flirty, Beth said, "Wow, you had enough money to buy it Link?" I sighed as I nodded. I knew Beth had a crush on me, one I was not interested in.
But somehow, I got roped into showing them the item and how to use it. They set up a bunch of targets painted like a bulls-eye, telling me to show them how good my aim was. Beth had commented that this showed how childish they really were. Every pellet I fired from the slingshot shattered the targets with one shot.
"Amazing!" chimed Beth and Talo simultaneously.
"You really are amazing Link!" said Talo proudly pumping his arm while the light haired girl swooned over how exceptional I seemed to be.
Beth spoke up, not seeming interested about the slingshot anymore, "By the way Link...were you expecting Colin's dad to bring something by here? 'Cause he did."
"Oh yeah!" said Talo. "What was that about anyways?"
For the first time, Malo spoke. Normally, he was quiet, being more mature than his older brother despite his babyish looks. Now, he said, "I command you to tell us..." 'That was a bit rude,' I thought to myself.
I climbed up the ladder and went inside. A unique blue storage chest sat a couple feet from the door. Walking over to it, I undid the latch and lifted the lid. Inside, I found an intricately carved wooden blade. "Huh, Rusl must have just honed it after the last lesson." I equipped it onto my back and headed outside.
The children saw the blade and ogled it. They were jealous, I could tell just from their eyes. Children were children. They pestered me with many questions, like asking for demonstrations and the like. Not wanting to upset them, I showed them a few techniques like the vertical slice, the horizontal slice, a stab and a specialty move, the spin attack. A little more pressure, and I showed them a leaping strike. Maybe Rusl wouldn't be too unhappy I showed them.
That was when one of the forest monkeys showed up from the path to the left of my house. Talo spotted it and became angry. He shouted as he chased after, "Get back here you stupid monkey!" Then the other two kids ran after their friend.
"Dammit, just great," I groaned. "They know they aren't supposed to go anywhere past my house. Faron Woods is especially off limits. Looks like I have to go get them." With that, I too gave chase.
Just past the entrance to the forest, I found Beth staring worriedly deeper into the woods. As I approached, she told me, "Talo and Malo went chasing like crazy people after that monkey! I just can't keep keep up with those two..."
I nodded and said, "I'll bring them back."
Beth smiled and I ran deeper and deeper into the woods. Soon, I came into view with Malo who was standing at a fork between Ordon Spring and the way further into the woods. When I asked him where Talo was, he replied as he pointed, "They went that way. The rest is up to you." Again, I just nodded and continued running.
Soon, there came the wooden bridge. Beneath it was a deep ravine with so little water. Thankfully, there were handrails that would prevent falling in. But still, I made deeper into the forest. As I reached across to the other side, I found a patch of grass, the type that made Epona come to me. I ripped the stem from the ground and whistled into the horseshoe-like plant.
Only a few minutes had passed when I heard the sound of hooves thundering over the bridge. I smiled as Epona slowed and stopped before me. Her broad nose nuzzled my hand and I said, "We've got a kid to save!" I mounted my horse, and smacked her side with the end of my boot, sending her into a gallop.
There was a low gate ahead. I spurred her on, and she cleared the small gate. "Good girl, Epona," I said, praising her as she trotted on. We rode under a natural occurring tunnel. Up ahead as we walked, there was another tunnel. I couldn't see inside and tried to go through. But as we neared, Epona reared with apprehension. She did not want to keep going. I looked around and saw a path that lead into a clearing. I turned my horse over there.
"Ho traveler!" called a man sitting on a blanket just outside a poorly built house. The building's door was reinforced with three wooden planks and the windows were all boarded up. As I dismounted Epona, I walked over. A pale skinned man had an unkempt Afro and a slight belly. "Whoa, an Ordonian! Hey man! Listen, I'm not sure you should be wandering around these woods without a lantern. Just because it's daylight, doesn't mean it's safe. There are a ton of caves and dank spots that get pretty dark even in the middle of the day. Here man, take this!" This guy, Coro (I assumed he was the one who made the sign near that cave) reached into his bag and pulled an old, dusty looking lantern and held it out to me.
I accepted it and said, "Uh...thanks."
"See here man, I sell lantern oil," Coro began, "and I'm trying to drum up sales by giving away free lanterns. It's a business tactic man. See, as long as ya got oil to fuel your lantern, you can light your way and set fire to stuff. They're the best man!" Pointing to a pot where a vile smelling stew sat, he said, "Go on, try lighting a fire there." When I did so, he said, "See, isn't it useful man? Come see me when you run out of oil and I'll sell ya some more."
I nodded and pulled Epona back to where the cave was, muttered, "That guy is nuts." The mouth of the cave was a little too low for Epona. "Ugh, looks like I'll have to continue on foot. You behave now girl." She gave a soft knicker and lowered her head to graze on ground.
Pulling my lantern out, I lit it and attached it to the side of my belt so I had my hands free. As I walked towards the cave, something shot up from the ground. I jumped back before the malicious deku baba had been able to take a bite of me. I drew the wooden sword and hacked diagonally at it's stem. With one strike, it died shriveled. The woods were truly dangerous, but I was unafraid.
As I cautiously made my way through the pitch black cavern, I occasionally stumbled upon some enemies like more deku baba and overgrown spiders. Nothing I couldn't handle. I made it through unscathed, into the deep woods. Less sunlight penetrated the upper branches of the old trees that rose into the sky.
As I wove deeper into the woods, a pair of ugly, humanoid creatures wailed as they charged me. Easily enough, I was able to dodge the synchronized attack and retaliate, stabbing the wooden sword into each of their chests with little resistance. They each fell to the ground, laying dead in a pool of their own sickly black blood. Bokoblins were incredibly weak.
I encountered a few more enemies and dispatched them with ease. Soon, I found a small wooden chest that I kicked open. It revealed to be a small iron key. A note inside informed me this key opened the gate deeper into the woods.
It took me a fair amount of time to backtrack all the way to where Coro was set up for business. I refilled my lantern for a little bit of money and returned to my faithful steed. Somehow, I was able to lead Epona with minor difficulties to the deep woods There, I found the gate that barred my way before and unlocked it. I pushed the wooden gates as far as they would go, giving enough room for Epona to run through. I mounted Epona comfortably on the saddle and sent her in. More bokoblins appeared. From horseback, I had my partner circle them before beheading them and continuing onwards.
For awhile, it was easy riding until there was a steep, narrow path I knew Epona could not walk. I jumped off and patted her on the head. Up ahead, I could see a cage that imprisoned Talo and the monkey he'd been chasing. Said cage was being guarded by two bokoblins.
I quietly crept up the path, trying not to draw attention to me. However, once Talo had seen me, he shouted, "LINK! Help me!" Idiot, I thought. Instead of my stealthy plan, I rushed into combat. The two bokoblins I faced this time were a nasty purple hue.
Though they wielded wicked looking cleavers, they were no match for me. They were too predictable and I was easily able to kill them. Once I had dealt with the monsters, I hacked the wooden cage to pieces, freeing Talo and the strange monkey.
After leaving Faron Woods, Talo pleaded to me to not tell his father because his father had told him to never ever ever go into the forest. When Talo dashed back home, Rusl had talked to me. That tomorrow was the day I was to depart for Hyrule and thanked me for rescuing the children. That I might be lucky enough to meet Princess Zelda.
The following day while preparations were being made, Fado had me round up the goats early. They were more skittish than the previous days. But I had no problems herding them back into the barn.
As goodbyes were being said and words of good luck were being hope, a female voice said, "...what's this? What happened? There's a scratch! There's a scratch on Epona's leg! How could this have happened?" Illia thundered! She turned to me, "Link... HOW COULD YOU! You were pushing this lovely horse too hard again! You let your horse become injured! I bet you hurt her leg jumping fences again, weren't you" I winced at her words.
Mayor Bo said to his daughter, "Now now Illia, there's no need to be hot with him. Y-you're just be overreacting sweetie. Tis but a scratch. She probably doesn't even feel it."
"FATHER! I AM NOT OVERREACTING! How could you be so easy on him! You're the MAYOR!" shouted Illia. "You should start acting like one!" She turned to Epona and said softly, "Oh you poor thing. It'll be alright Epona. I'll take you to the forest spring right now. Once we soothe you in the spirit's spring, you'll feel better in no time." I turned to Mayor Bo and gave him a questioned look as if to say 'What the hell is wrong with her?' He just shrugged.
"W-wait Illia!" the Mayor called. He sighed. "Without Epona, the gift cannot possibly be delivered in time for Hyrule's festival. Oh this won't do..." Bo turned to me and said, "You need to get your horse back as soon as possible!"
I nodded and ran after Illia into the woods past my homestead. Talo and Malo were blocking the way. "C'mon, Colin and I need to get through here kids. I need to get my horse back so I can deliver the present."
"Thanks for saving me yesterday Link. But if I had a weapon, I could have taught those monsters a lesson," said Talo angrily. "Lemme borrow your wooden sword! Please."
Rolling my eyes, I tossed it to him and said, "Sure, whatever. Just be careful." His eyes lit up and he shouted happily before running over to the the training dummies I'd made a long time ago. I looked to Colin, "Let's go." He nodded and we left to find Illia and my horse.
When I got to the spring, I found that the young blonde had locked Epona and Epona in. She glared at me and said, "If you've come to take Epona back, you can FORGET it!" Colin had somehow gotten in.
"There's was no reasoning with her. We gotta find another way in. Try to convince her to unlock the gate." He nodded and I looked around. A little ways back, I remembered seeing a small hole. Swiftly, I jogged back to the small clearing and found the hole. I crawled into the tunnel, worming my way around bends and curves. Eventually, I made my way out of a hole that lead to the inside of the spring.
"That sucked," I muttered as I stood up, dusting my clothes. As I was walking toward Epona and the two younger children, I heard Colin explaining what had happened yesterday.
Illia said, "I had no idea. I hadn't heard the details about Talo's capture. But Colin..." As she went to touch my horse's mane, Epona snorted with discontent, not wishing to be touched by her. "So...you still prefer your master over me, huh?" Looking over to me, the blonde said, "No need to worry about your horse, Link. Fortunately, it looks like the injury isn't too serious. You two can go on together. But Link, just promise me this...Don't try to do anything out of your league. Just...just come home safely, okay?"
"Yeah, I can do that," I answered.
Just then, ruining the moment, a loud sound spooked Epona. It grew louder before the gate was destroyed, shattering into splintering shrapnel. The culprit was an ugly thing seated an overgrown boar. A...fat ugly bulbin. His helmet had large horns and was strapped around his chin. His yellowed and some missing teeth gave him a grotesque smile.
I was stunned at what happened so suddenly. One of the smaller, skinnier bulbins let an arrow loose form his bow. The arrow's target, was Illia, striking her in the back. She fell, splashing and unconscious.
Before I could run after Illia, I hadn't noticed the bulbin behind me. I felt a large, blunt object strike me. An immense throbbing pain filled my head before my vision faded.
It seemed I was just momentarily knocked out when I saw the minion's boar leave as I came to. My head was still throbbing as I managed to bring myself to my knees. Clutching my head, I looked around and saw nobody. Even my horse was gone. The monsters that attacked must have kidnapped her!
Forcing myself to my feet, I ran past the remains of the ivy-covered gate. My feet took me far, past the bridge as fast as I could. As I took pursuit, I stumbled upon something dark. The air was thicker and somehow...terrible. Where there should have been more woods, was a rippling veil. There were strange orange runes arranged upon it. It looked solid, yet less than air.
As I stared at it utterly bewildered, suddenly a shadowy hand jutted out from the veil and grabbing me. I gave a yell in surprise. I squeezed my eyes shut, wriggling and trying to escape whatever had attacked. When I opened my eyes, I was face to face with a...faceless monster! I pulled with both arms at it's hand.
Abruptly, the shadowy monster snarled and slammed me to the ground, fleeing, I didn't know what had caused it to release me, but I was grateful. That was, until I felt an indescribable pain filling my entire body. My body could no longer endure the pain...causing me to black out.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It took awhile to write. Reviews would be most kind!
