Chapter 2: Accepting the Truth
Liam stared at the older man with a calm facial expression, and then...he laughed. "Wow, that was a really great story," he said, holding his stomach. "And why were you calling me Link?" he said, as Evelyn pulled out another piece of clothing that was green. "My name is Liam."
"Yes, I know your first name," Promithius replied, "But you're true name is Link." Liam snorted. "Tell me, what is your full name?"
"Liam Kestrel," Liam answered while Promithius shook his head, Evelyn pulling out some tan pants, brown boots, and some long socks.
"No," he said. "I meant your whole name."
Liam sighed. "Liam Isaac Niel Kestrel," he said as Evelyn moved over to a table with a sowing kit. "There, that's my full name, happy? Now, what's so special about my name?"
"And what are your initials?"
Liam sighed again and rolled his eyes. "L-I-N-K," he said stubbornly, realization coming upon his face. "Link," he breathed out, as Promithius nodded, but then Liam scoffed. "So what? It's probably just a coincedence."
"There are no coincedences, Link," Promithius said. "Only miracles, and that's what you are."
"Yeah, sure," Liam said skeptically. "Look, I'm just gonna go home and go to sleep cause I'm tired and I don't feel too great."
"Oh, well," Promithius started, standing to his feet and moving over to his cauldrons and bottles of potions. "How about a Blue Potion?"
"What? No," Liam said with a shake of his head and a grimace, then stood to his feet. "I wouldn't try to smell it. For all I know, it could be poison."
"Why would I try to poison the only hope Hyrule ever has?" Promithius asked with an amused smile.
"I don't know, you tell me," Liam replied, glancing at Evelyn who was sowing the tan pants. "Look, can I just go home? I'm very confused and I just want to sleep it off." And Liam moved towards the door.
"I'm sorry, but you can't leave," Promithius said, picking up a small bottle of blue liquid.
"Why's that?" Liam asked, raising an eyebrow.
Promithius walked up to Liam. "Because, you're not in your world anymore," he said, placing the blue potion into Liam's hands, who accepted it. "Drink it, please. I believe you made your strength."
"What for?" Liam asked, pulling out the cork, and lifted the bottle to his nose, sniffing it, which didn't really have a smell.
"Just a feeling," Promithius said, moving over to Evelyn who was finishing up on sowing the clothes.
Liam sigh. "Here goes nothing," he breathed out, lifted the bottle to his lips, and chugging down the whole bottle. After it was empty, Liam lowered the bottle with a relieving exhale of breath. "Not bad," he said, looking at the bottle. "A little bland though, bu - Whoa!" And suddenly, Liam felt something he never felt before. A tingling sensation ran through his entire body, head to toe, and where ever he felt numbness and pain, was gone.
"What was that!?" Liam asked, staring at the bottle in his hands, then looking over to Promithius. "What was in that?"
"Oh, just some berries, herbs, and spices," Promithius answered with a smile. "All the things needed to replenish one's health and energy."
"Amazing," Liam said in awe. Could he possibly been in another world? The monsters in the forest and the potion that cured him never exsisted on Earth, so it would make sense that he was in another world of some kind. But there was one puzzling question that need an answer. Why was he here? But before he could ask his question, screams were heard outside. "What was that!?" Liam asked, looking out the closest window, only seeing people running around.
Promithius quickly ran over to the same window and looked out. "No, how could this be!" he said, and then moved to the door, causing Evelyn to stand to her feet. "Evelyn, stay here!" he commanded, then looked over to Liam. "Link, come with me!"
"What?! Why?" Liam asked, turning to Promithius who was grabbing something long by the door.
"Because my village may need your help," the older man said, tossing the long item to Liam who caught it with both hands, which Liam then noticed that what Promithius had tossed him was am ordinary sword in its sheath.
"What's going on?!" Liam asked, walking over to the older man, nervously. "And what do you want me to do with this?"
"Malu's men are here!" Promithius growled, opening the door where the cries and shouts could be heard more clearly. Promithius then walked out and Liam followed hurriedly and nervously.
Once outside, Liam saw them, the five soldiers in black armor and horned helmets sabatoging the Jupiter Fevistal, scaring the people of the village, some men trying to fight them, but were to weak to fight them and were killed easily.
"And you want Me to fight them?" Liam said incredulously, stopping next to Promithius and pointing at the scene of terror with the sword.
"I do," Promithius answered simply, turning to Liam. "I know you can do it, Link. I have faith that you can beat these 5 Hell Warriors."
"Look, I know you think I'm some kind of badass hero," Liam started nervoulsy, turning to the older man. "But you have the wrong guy. I'm no Hero! I usually run from violence, not confront it!"
"You wouldn't be here if the Godesses didn't think you were worthy, but you are," Promithius said, grabbing the blade of the sword and unsheathing it. A Hell Warrior noticing the two and running over to them. "It is time that you confront the violence and save yourself and these people in Ordon Village," he finished then took some steps back.
"But," Liam said, turning to the older man. "I'm not good thinking under pressure and I'm scared!" But suddenly, Liam heard a growl. He quickly turned aound to see the Hell Warrior bringing down its black sword vertically. Liam yelped as he lifted his steel sword horizontally with both hands, and the black sword hit his, causing a spark and a loud clinging sound. And now, the Hell Warrior was pushing his sword down on Liam who was using all his strength to push back.
What the hell am I doing? Liam thought to himself. I'm fighting with a dark medieval knight. How the hell did I get here? I can't do this. There's no way I could do this! It's crazy! I can't be a Hero, I'm just still a Kid. But suddenly, everything stopped and went blank.
"What the heck?" Liam said, in a room full of darkness. "Where am I? What happened to the Hell Warrior? Hello!" he called out loudly. And suddenly, there was three bright golden lights coming from high above Liam. "Who's there!?"
"It is us," spoke a womanly yet godly voice. "The Goddesses of Hyrule."
"No way," Liam said, shaking his head. "This is not real, none of it is. I'm just dreaming from falling into that waterfall and I'm in a coma. That's what it is."
"You are in no coma, young Link," spoke another godly voice. "You are still alive and well. As healthy as an Ox."
"It's Liam," Liam shouted. "And from the looks of it, it looks as if I am in a come or dead."
"You are in neither," a third godly voice spoke. "We only froze time, so we could speak to you through your mind." And suddenly, an image appeared in front of Liam. It was a still picture of him and the Hell Warrior pushing against one another's sword.
"That is where your body lies," spoke the first voice. "In battle with one of Malu's Hell Warriors."
Liam's heart was pounding because he somehow knew this was true, but he didn't want to believe any of it. "What do you want from me!" He shouted.
"To save the Kingdom of Hyrule," spoke the third godly voice.
"But why me?" Liam asked. "Why would you chose me to save this Kingdom? I'm a loser, a nobody."
"We chose you because you have a good Heart," spoke the first godly voice.
"Because you have Courage," spoke the second godly voice.
"Because you have the drive to Never give up," spoke the third godly voice.
And then, they all spoke at once. "We chose you, Link, because you are the definition of a true Hero! You are very wise for a young man, very bold and couragous, and you have power deep inside you, power like no one here or in your world has. Power to destroy all that is evil. You are the Savior of Hyrule, and we, Din, Farore, and Nayru, have faith in you, young Link. We believe that you will be successful in your journey."
And something deep inside Liam flourished. It was the faith in himself that grew. If the goddesses believed in him, then he just as much believed in himself and more. Even if this was some kind of dream, he would do whatever it takes to save this place and wake up into reality, but it didn't feel like at dream. It felt real. It all did.
"Okay," Liam said, looking up to the goddesses. "I'll do it! No matter what it takes. I will try and save Hyrule!"
"Then farewell, young Link," spoke Farore. "May your Courage help you in your darkest fears."
"And may your Power give you the strength," Din spoke.
"And may your Wisdom guide you," Nayru spoke.
"May you be succesful, Farewell," they all spoke, and Liam disappeared, "But with a price."
Liam opened his eyes as he was back, pushing his sword against the Hell Warrior who was growling and pushing back. But then, Liam let go, and the Hell Warrior's sword slid off Liam's and towards the ground. And with the courage and all his strength, Liam tightened the grip on his sword, spinning all the way around to his left, lifting his sword and shouted, swinging his sword towards the Hell Warrior's neck, cutting off it's head.
Liam breathed heavily as the Hell Warrior's body fell to the ground, his sword stained with purple blood.
"He did it!" Promithius said in awe, witnessing the whole scene.
"I did it," Liam breathed out, lowering his sword. "I did it," he repeated and began to smile, then heard more shouts. He lifted his head to see three more Hell Warriors running towads him, obviously having witnessed what had happened. "And I can do it again," Liam said to himself, and held his ground.
The one of the three Hell Warriors sped up towards Liam, swinging its sword horizontally, which Liam backed up, the sword nearly missing his stomach, but still cutting his clothes. The second Hell Warrior appeared, swinging its sword close to Liam's neck, yet Liam block it and kicked the Hell Warrior to the ground, then blocked another swipe from the first Hell Warrior, once again pushing against one another's swords.
The third Hell Warrior finally appeared, Swing from behind Liam, who ducked and rolled out of the way, the sword catching the second Hell Warrior's neck, decapitating him. Liam quickly stood back to his feet, now only facing two Hell Warriors. The two Hell Warriors both attacked at the same time, one swiping high, the other low, but luckily Liam saw their plan and jumped inbetween the swords as they swung, and rolled to the ground. He quickly rose to his feet eyeing the back of the Hell warriors, seeing that their body armors didn't connect to their arms and that he could cut them off.
Liam then stormed towards the second Hell Warrior who was turning around, Jumped up and kicked the warrior in the shoulder, causing it to turn back around, he then continued to slash upwards at the straps that kept its body armor on. The straps were slice in half, causing the Hell Warrior's body armor to fall to the ground.
Liam then took the time to block the other Hell Warriors sword, pushed against it with his sword, and then kicked the Hell Warrior in the side of his knee, causing it to fall to its knee. Liam then spun around the Hell Warrior, and cut off it's body armor staps, causing that Hell Warrior's body armor to fall off as well. Liam then took a few steps back as he was now facing to Hell Warrior's, both with out body armor, and showing their bare and bluish skinned chests.
The two Hell Warriors then rushed at Liam, one swung their sword, which Liam did block and then pushed away, just as the second warrior swung its sword, and Liam had to swing quickly to block that one. He kicked the second Hell Warrior away and blocked the first Hell Warriors sword, then kicked it in the side of its knee, causing it to fall on its knee, leaving its body open for Liam to attack which he slashed upward, leaving a large diagonal gash upon the warrior's chest. The Hell Warrior the fell face first and down to the ground.
"Watch out!" Promithius shouted, and on instinct, Liam spun, swinging his sword around and slicing the last Hell Warrior horizontally in the stomach. The Hell Warrior froze with its sword hell over his head that then dropped to the gound, and he too fell to the ground, a second later, onto his face, dead.
"Wow," Liam breathed out, and stood up straight, his heart racing with excitement and adrenaline. "That was crazy," he added, lowering his sword.
"It's not over yet," growled a voice. Liam turned around to see one last Hell Warrior walking up to him, but this one was different. It had a black cape, and it was holding both a sword and a black rectangular shield, and it wasn't wearing a helmet, and they could see his face. He had long black hair, bluish skin, red eyes, fangs,and a scar diagonally across his face.
"A high ranking Hell Warrior," Liam heard Promithius say. "Be careful, Liam. He's well trained and stronger than the average Hell Warrior."
Liam nodded, tightened the grip on his sword, and watched as the stronger Hell Warrior stop a few feet away. "You may have beaten by brethren to death," it said. "But you will find out that I am not like them, that I am far more stronger, thanks to my master. And luckily for you, I will make your death easy and quick."
"Bring it on," Liam murmured, and the two stepped forward.
Liam striked first, swing the sword horizontally, but the Hell Warrior blocked it, and then smacked Liam in the forehead with his shield, causing Liam to step back and yelp in pain.
"Come on, Link," Promithius shouted. "You can do it. You are the chosen Hero!"
The Hell Warrior ran up and brought down his sword towards Liam who held out his sword horizontally and blocked the attack, but the Hell Warrior pushed down. Liam tried pushing back, but this Hell Warrior was so much stronger than the others, and it managed to push Liam into one knee. Liam groaned as he put his left hand on the blade to help hold back his sword that was moving closer to his neck.
"Like a mere boy could defeat a general like me," the Hell Warrior growled in Liam's face. "You are nothing, boy! And you will die by my sword, tonight!"
Liam pushed back with eveything he had, but it was no use, the Hell Warrior was stronger. No! Liam thought to himself. The goddesse didn't chose me just to die tonight! They chose me to save the whole Kingdom and dieing is not an option!
The Hell Warrior laughed as he was nearing Liam's neck.
"No!" Liam growled, his opening and the fire was lit in his eyes, a flicker of gold in his right hand. "I will not die!" Liam growled loudly as he then pushed and pushed against the Hell Warrior's and was pushing it back. It was as if Liam was given new and more strength.
"What! No!" the Hell Warrior hissed as his sword was being pushed back.
"I will not let you hurt me or anyone in this Village!" Liam said, pushing the Hell Warrior, who began to struggle, back. And then, Liam pushed up with all his strength, breaking the Hell Warrior's defense, his arms spreading wide. Liam took this chance and brought his sword back down on the Hell Warrior's head, splitting it in two.
Liam pulled his sword away, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his face, and the Hell Warrior fell to the gound, dead, like the others. Promithius walked up next to the younger man, and stared at the dead Hell Warriors, and other villagers, including Evelyn, began to gather round, surprised at what they had witnessed.
"Well done," Promithius spoke. "You saved our village. Who knows what they could have done here."
"Thank you, young man," a man spoke, walking out from the crowd and towards Liam. Liam looked up at the man. He wore a blue long sleeved shirt outlined with white, black pants, boots, and had some kind of talisman around his neck. He was tall, about 6 foot even, average built, middle-age, brown hair and hazel eyes. "Thank you for protecting our village."
Liam gave a nod. "You're welcome, Mr...?"
"Oh, Mayor Colin," the man spoke with a nod.
"And who the heck are you!?" asked a dirty man, who stepped out of the crowd, before the mayor could ask.
"It's him," a little girl answered from the crowd.
"Who?" asked the clueless mother of the little girl. "Who is he?'
"The hero from the Potion maker's tales," the little girl answered, and pointed at Liam. "Look at him. He wears a shirt that opens with buttons, with another shirt underneath, the black pants of weird texture, a clock on his arm, and black boots that aren't even boots." Liam and the villagers looked at Liam's clothers, Liam didn't think his clothes were strange, but the villagers did. "He also has short black, strange, ruined hair, with deep blue eyes, and a face, a strong confident face," the little girl recited. "Just as Promithius told."
"Your clothes are very strange," Mayor Colin spoke, walking around and examining Liam. "Clothes we've never seen before."
"How do we know this boy is the chosen hero from the tale?" the dirty man asked.
"Ask him where he's from, Bo," the little girl asked.
"Tell us, boy, where do you come from?" the dirty man called Bo demanded.
"Uh, Washington," Liam answered, while everone gasped.
"A place we never heard of," the little girl said.
"So, the tale is true?" a boy about Liam's age asked.
"Yes," Promithius answered, stepping in front of Liam, so he could speak to the village. "The tale I told you for many years, is true. I always believed it was true, and now you all know it's true. Now, meet Liam Kestrel," the old man said, moving out of the way where Liam stood. "Our Savior, the one who will save us all from Malu's terror."
Everyone looked at Liam who smirked, and lifted his sword over his shoulder. "Call me Link."