3 - "The Truths of a Liar"

Then

Link stood there for several seconds, unable to move. His hand…was glowing? How…? He just stared, frozen with disbelief. That's not possible…

"Do not be afraid, my child." Link's head shot up. Before him, there stood a woman clothed in a flowing gold and white dress. Her hair and eyes were both green, and she was a few inches taller than Link. Her face was soft and youthful, but there was a sorrow in her eyes that made her seem ancient.

"Who…who are you?" Link asked. The woman smiled. Everything about her radiated kindness.

"I am known by the name Farore."

"'Farore'?" Link repeated incredulously. "As in the goddess Farore?"

The woman nodded. "I know that you are hurt and confused, but I must be brief. Time is running short." Farore regarded the boy's hand. "You bear the mark of the Chosen."

"'Chosen?'" Link asked, somewhat weakly. It took all his strength to keep him from falling to his knees.

"Yes," Farore nodded gravely. "You are to take part in a great destiny. The road ahead of you is filled with trials and hardships, and the burden you bear will be far greater than that of any other mortal being. But do not fear your Destiny, child, for you will not have to brave it alone. Here," the goddess said, holding out her hand. In her palm there was a small golden keychain in the shape of a sword. "Take this. It shall aid you on your quest."

"Quest?" Link's head was spinning. One minute, the village he had spent his whole life in was burning to the ground and the next a woman claiming to be a goddess was telling him he was some kind of chosen one.

"I know how hard this must be, but please listen. If you should fail, all of Hyrule will fall into ruin." She met his gaze meaningfully. "A dark man seeks to plunge the whole of Hyrule into an era of darkness. As the chosen hero of legend, you are the only one with the power to stop him." A million thoughts were running through Link's head, but she continued. "You must find the Master Sword. Only then can you defeat the darkness that threatens to overtake this world."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, now just hold on for a second," Link said, unable to remain silent any longer, "you're telling me that I'm supposed to be some kind of legendary hero? I think you've got the wrong person. I can't even save my family from a fire—what makes you think I can save the entire world?" Link had expected the woman to be angry at his outburst, but she only looked at him sadly.

"It may not make sense to you now, but you do have the strength to carry out this task. It is dormant deep within you, but it is there." The goddess looked at him. "Your memories from previous lifetimes will be of great aid to you. Although it would be unwise to return all of them to you at once, I will allow you to see into your past as needed."

"My past?"

"I am sorry—I would explain more, but my time here is running short. There are three keys you need in order to retrieve the Master Sword. The first is held by an elderly man atop Death Mountain. He has been instructed to give the key only to the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom—the reincarnation of the Princess of Destiny. You must go to Castle City and seek out her aid—that is the first step in your quest."

"Wait! What do I do after I get the first key?"

The goddess smiled.

"All shall be made clear in time."

Now

Sheik braced herself, waiting for her inevitable demise at the hands of the giant rock-like creature. When the blow didn't come, however, she slowly opened her eyes to be met with a shocking sight.

"M—Mr. Dragmire?" Before her was the hunched figure of her history teacher pushing against the overwhelming force of the golem's fist with his bare hands. His face was contorted with the effort, but by some miracle he continued to push back against the monster's terrible might. The history teacher let out a sharp yell as the monster continued to push down harder. Despite his apparent disadvantage he kept pushing on, and as he refused to give in to the sheer weight of the golem, a bright light manifested itself on the back of his right hand. In an impossible feat of superhuman strength, he pushed back against the monster's crushing fists and forced the monster backward. As the creature stumbled back in surprise, the teacher took the opportunity to assault its form with devastating waves of dark energy conjured in the palms of his hands. Sheik could only stare as her history teacher single-handedly drove back the creature that mere seconds ago had her at its mercy. Her eyes were glued to him as he drove one final blow deep into the center of the monster, causing it to falter and tumble to the ground in defeat, disappearing in purple puffs of smoke as the individual rocks hit the hard surface. With his opponent defeated, Mr. Dragmire turned to the teenager and went to help her to her feet. Sheik took his open hand wordlessly, rendered unable to speak from the shock of what she had just witnessed.

"Are you alright?" The teacher asked. Sheik nodded dumbly.

"Yeah, I—" her eyes widened. "Link!" With a spike of urgency, Sheik sprinted over to where the fallen boy lay. "Link, wake up!" She shook his shoulder. "Hey, Link!" No response. "Dammit, open your eyes, idiot!" Just as worry began to settle in the pit of Sheik's stomach, Link's eyes fluttered. "Oh, thank the goddesses," she muttered as he finally opened his eyes. "Hey, can you move?" she asked.

"…Er…yeah, I think…" Link said, coming to his senses. He sat up, only to clutch at his stomach in pain. "Ah—damn, does that hurt…"

Sheik frowned. "Take it easy," she said, "there's no rush."

"I'm fine," Link said stubbornly, "just a little sore." With Sheik's help, he got himself to his feet.

"What happened?" he asked. "All I remember is you…" he trailed off.

"…Um, right," Sheik said. "Well, the thing is—"

"The boy is awake then?" The two of them turned to see Mr. Dragmire walking towards them. "That's good, we'll have to—" there was a flash of movement as the clang of metal upon metal rang out.

"Sheik, what are you doing?" Link scowled at the Sheikah girl who was currently holding up her protected arm to block the sword's blow. Sheik's eyes narrowed.

"What am I doing? What are you doing? You can't just go around attacking the man who just saved both our lives!"

"You can't trust that man," Link growled. "You have no idea what he's done in the past."

"Actually," Sheik started challengingly, "I do. Don't forget that you're not the only one he's wronged, Hero." At that, Link wavered.

"You…you remember?" he asked, withdrawing his sword. Sheik didn't meet his gaze.

"Not much, but yes. I remember," she said quietly. She held up her hand to reveal the newly glowing Triforce symbol. Link smiled in relief.

"Then you understand now." Sheik nodded solemnly. Link turned to Mr. Dragmire. "I remember you." His eyes narrowed. "I don't trust you. Not after what you've done."

Ganondorf nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less."The teacher's serious expression did not falter. "I would, however, suggest that you accept my assistance. Judging from your performance here today, it looks like you're going to need it."

Link scowled. "I don't need your help," he said angrily.

Sheik frowned disapprovingly. "Link, don't be foolish. I know he's sketchy, but Mr. Dragmire can be a valuable asset."

Link raised an eyebrow. "'Mr.'?" He asked accusingly.

Sheik flushed. "Er…he's sort of my history teacher."

Link regarded the larger man with surprise. "You're a teacher?"

Ganondorf frowned. "Is there something wrong with that?"

Link snickered. "No, it's just—I never would've thought—"

Sheik cleared her throat. "I'd hate to interrupt this, but we have much more pressing matters to discuss." Link coughed, sobering. She regarded him. "I'm sorry for not believing you." She looked down. "I—I can't believe how much I've forgotten…"

Link nodded. "It's fine," he said. "I would have thought I was crazy too."

Sheik gave a quick nod before turning to Ganondorf. "You mentioned something about helping us. Were you being sincere?"

The history teacher's lips straightened into a line. "Yes. Throughout this lifetime, I have gathered much knowledge that I feel could be beneficial to your cause."

Sheik's eyes narrowed distrustfully. "As I said, I remember very little, but I do remember that you endangered Hyrule multiple times for the sake of your own selfish goals." Ganondorf frowned as she continued to speak. "Give me one good reason why I should trust you now."

Link blinked, surprised that she would regard the man in such a way after chastising him for doing the exact same thing.

"…I cannot undo the things I have done in the past," Ganondorf said finally, "nor can I ever hope to redeem myself for them." The teacher gave her a hard yet meaningful look. "But I can hope to make up for my wrongs by saving Hyrule from the darkness yet to come." Sheik frowned skeptically. "And besides, even if my intentions were less than charitable, I do live here. I'm not going to sit around idly as my home is destroyed." Even as he spoke, Sheik's distrustful expression did not change.

"Your words mean little to me," she spat. "I want proof that I don't have to worry about you stabbing either me or Link in the back." Her scarlet eyes narrowed with something almost—pained? "I want to know that there won't be a repeat of what happened with my father," she muttered. Both Ganondorf and Link blinked in surprise, but the history teacher recovered quickly and steeled himself. He took a step toward the girl and knelt down on one knee before her, bowing his head.

"I hereby swear that I will follow you to the very end."

Sheik frowned. "I already told you, your words are—"

"No," Ganondorf cut her off. "I'm not asking for your forgiveness or your acceptance. I am, at this very moment, offering you my life. If you should need my assistance on your quest, I shall gladly give it to you. However," his golden eyes struck crimson with earnest, "if you shall deem that my actions are unforgiveable, I willingly offer you my own life. If you find no other use for me, then strike me down here and now. I will do nothing to defend myself. My loyalty and my life rightfully belong to you, Your Highness."

Sheik just stood there, stunned. There was silence.

"…Get up," she said sharply after she recovered from her initial shock. "I'm not in any position to refuse you, and I certainly don't have the right to punish you for your actions. If you really want to help, it will be as an ally, not a servant. Now get up," she scowled. Ganondorf blinked.

"Princess Zel—"

"Don't call me that," she snapped, glaring. "My name's Sheik. I don't care about who I may have been in the past—this is who I am now, and in case you haven't noticed, I'm not royalty. I'm just a normal girl, so don't you dare think about treating me otherwise."

Ganondorf was speechless.

"…Very well," he eventually said. "Sheik, then. I trust we have reached an agreement…?"

"…Yeah, fine," she said offhandedly. "But one false move and I'll…"

"Of course," Ganondorf said, getting to his feet. "I completely understand." He looked at the two teens. "Now, I imagine that you're here for the key."

"Yeah," Link cut in, getting back to business. "I was told an old man has it, but there's nothing here." At that, Ganondorf laughed good-naturedly.

"Oh, he's here," the teacher said, "that golem probably just scared him off." He raised his voice. "Isn't that right, Sahasrahla?" The two teens turned in surprise to see a short elderly man step out of the shadows.

"Are you so sure, Ganondorf?" the man said challengingly. "Perhaps the monster I was hiding from was you, King of Evil."

The teacher smirked. "And yet here you are," he said. "But enough of this idle chatter. It is my understanding that you have the key…?"

Sahasrahla frowned. "What if I do? Why should I hand it over in your presence? As far as I'm concerned, you're the one who summoned that golem," he said bitingly. Ganondorf scoffed.

"Please," he said disdainfully, "You know I wield dark magic. That creature was obviously created by shadow magic."

Link coughed. "Um, excuse me for asking, but, uh, what's the difference?"

Ganondorf sighed. "There's a big difference, boy, and it's one you should learn if you want to know when the magic in your sword will and will not work."

Link's brows furrowed. "My sword?"

The teacher waved his hand impatiently. "Yes, yes. Dark magic is the opposite of light magic. The light imbued in your sword repels creatures of darkness." He continued. "Shadow magic, on the other hand, is the fusion of light and dark, and, as such, will not be repelled by your sword." He looked Link in the eye. "That is why your blade had no effect on the monster." He then turned to Sahasrahla. "And that is also how you know that I couldn't have possibly summoned that thing. I do not have the skill nor the experience in shadow magic necessary to conjure up a monster that big." Sahasrahla frowned in response, but said nothing.

"Shadow magic…" Sheik muttered pensively. Ganondorf glanced at the student.

"…Actually," he said thoughtfully, "you could probably learn to use it. Sheikah are naturally quite good at wielding shadows." He shook his head. "But I digress." He turned to Sahasrahla. "You know that I didn't create that monster. And you also know that if you don't give the Hero of Legend the key, Hyrule will fall to ruin." The elder frowned, but Ganondorf continued. "The Princess of Destiny is here. Your duty to the goddesses can be fulfilled."

Sahasrahla looked at the teacher warily. "Perhaps it's for the best that I overlook the blaring irony of you of all people lecturing me about my duty to the goddesses." The old man sighed and waved Sheik over. "Come here, child. Show me your hand." Sheik glanced over at Link and Ganondorf before hesitantly walking over to the man. She held out her right hand, which glimmered briefly before dimming. Sahasrahla smiled.

"Ah, so it's true." He looked her over briefly. "You look different than you used to, but then again, you usually do." He pulled something out of his pouch. "Here," he said, handing her the key. "Now, after all these years of waiting, I can finally rest."

Sheik blinked. "Thank you," she said, taking the trinket.

The man smiled warmly. "I do not know where the third key is hidden, but I do know that the second can be found deep within the Kokiri Forest, in the Lost Woods."

"The Lost Woods?" Link repeated.

"Damn," Ganondorf scowled. The two teens looked at him in surprise. "The Lost Woods are inaccessible. Once you enter, there's no leaving—not unless the spirits of the forest deem you worthy. Otherwise, you'll remain as a wandering ghost for all eternity."

Link frowned. "I've been in the Lost Woods before—in a few past lives. It's safe as long as you know where to go."

Ganondorf frowned skeptically. "And you do?"

Link scratched his head. "Er, well…I kind of…forget."

Ganondorf sighed. "As I expected."

"Hey, at least it's something!"

"Relax, Link," Sheik said. "We got what we came for, alright? Let's just go back to Castle City and we can plan our next move there."

Link sighed heavily. "Yeah, alright." He looked over towards the mountain trail. "I guess we're going to have to go back down again, huh?"

"Yeah," Sheik muttered. Ganondorf cleared his throat.

"You kids do realize that I can teleport, right?"

Link and Sheik just stared.

"…I think I love you," Link breathed. The teacher smirked.

"If our business is done here, let's be on our way."

Sheik frowned, but nodded. "Alright, let's go."

"You're back," the silver-haired woman remarked as Sheik entered through the door.

"Yeah. Sorry, I didn't expect to be out for so long."

Impa frowned. "That's fine. But are you alright?" She looked at the girl closely, noticing the bags under her eyes. "You look exhausted."

Sheik shook her head. "It's no big deal. I'll just sleep it off. G'night mom." Impa's brow furrowed in concern as the girl started walking toward the steps.

"Sheik—"

"Oh, sorry. Imps." She corrected herself. "See ya tomorrow."

Impa frowned, but said nothing else. The blonde-haired girl went up into her bedroom and closed the door behind her. Finally alone, she threw off her jacket, went over to her bed, and collapsed.

((Edit: 9/13/15

Random note regarding names that you can just skip over: I really like realistic sounding last names. I've seen other people give characters last names like 'Hylian' or just use a noun that's associated with the character, and that's fine, but I didn't really want to do that here. I tried to come up names that sounded like they could be actual last names, but also had some kind of significance to them-for example, "Cromwell." My intention was to make a name that had relevance to the Sheikah tribe, so I put together the words 'crimson' (the color of a Sheikah's eyes) and 'well' (a reference to the well in Kakariko.) The name was originally going to be 'Crimwell,' but I thought Cromwell sounded stronger. Similarly, Link's last name is a combination of the words 'emerald' and 'light.'