CHAPTER 4
AUTHOR'S NOTE (Skip past if you don't care)
There were some reviews left when I last uploaded and I wanted to respond to them, since they are guest accounts, as it doesn't let me send a message back. Since it would be somewhat awkward to squeeze it into the narrative, Lance and Zelda are about the same age as Link and Zelda are in Ocarina of Time. Hyrule itself is very similar to the Hyrule of Ocarina of Time. Also, to a specific commenter, this Ganon isn't quite the Ganon of the games. He is somewhat in between at this point, and is slowly developing his body to more resemble that of Ganondorf's. Though he isn't quite there yet, he can still speak and is in a humanoid form, though his tusks and some features are still beastlike. I realize I may've been vague on some details because I had started writing this some time ago, so if anyone has any questions please leave them in a review and I will attempt to get back to them.
HYRULE CASTLE - UPPER CHAMBERS
Zelda closed the door to the stairs and the murmuring of the crowd quieted. "Come on!" She urged, tugging on Lance's hand as she skipped up the stairwell. Lance was still utterly confused as to what significance he had. He was still shaken by the explosion in Castle Town.
"Where are we going?" Lance asked. She smirked as she continued up the stairs.
"You don't have to pretend anymore, your secret is safe with me. You need to meet someone." Zelda told him. Lance was nervous in his core, for he harbored no secrets that this lady would know. He had never even met this girl. Though he had figured through her dress and her access to the upstairs portion of Hyrule Castle that this was the famous Princess Zelda, he didn't dare open his peasant mouth to ask such a question. He feared she'd think him dumb, or perhaps not treat him with the respect she did now.
She opened a door at the peak of the stairs that led into a long corridor with many doors. This hallway, Lance guessed, was sealed off to the public. Many old and expensive-looking paintings of many of Hyrule's royalty hung upon the walls. The carpet was purple and regal, something fit for a king - or in this case: A Princess.
Zelda opened a door and motioned for Lance to follow inside. As he entered, he saw a tall woman clad in blue armor staring out at the calamity unfolding in Castle Town.
"Impa… I've found him." Zelda said softly as she tapped the older woman on the shoulder. This caused her to swing around, as if startled.
"Child! You cannot sneak up on me like that! I nearly took off your head!" Impa scolded. Zelda shrugs and smiles. Impa inspects the young man behind Zelda, and is not impressed. "This is he? The Hero of Legend?"
Lance's heart sank. The Hero of Legend? How… Why…
"Yes! This is the boy who will save us from the demon king once more!" Zelda protests. Impa is still skeptical, and Lance's eyes are open wide; he is noticeably deeply afraid. Impa swiftly walks past Zelda to examine the boy further. She pokes and prods at him for a few moments before coming to a conclusion.
"Zelda, I know not if this boy is he who will turn the tides of good and evil." Impa confesses as she faces the Princess once more. Lance is still at a loss for words for the whole situation. Zelda frowns and her eyebrows narrow.
"Come!" She exclaims, expecting both Lance and Impa to follow her. Impa trails behind her nearly immediately, but Lance's daze causes him to dawdle. The three of them trot down a corridor separate from the main hallway containing to door to Impa's room, leading them to a balcony that overlooks the central lower chamber Hyrule Castle. From this vantage point, each of them could see the citizens of Castle Town congregating amongst themselves. Though, in the direct middle of the large room was a statue that depicted the Hero. Zelda stops and gestures to this work of art created so many years ago.
"He appears as the Hero does! Each and every feature is precise and nearly identical. It is said that he would return in our time of need! Though the boy's name is lost to history: his name was most certainly Lance!" Zelda shouts, exasperated. She is heaving, she genuinely believes she has found their savior. "I have spent countless hours gazing into the eyes of the Hero, wishing for his return, imagining what he would be like… you must understand: I do not jest in the slightest, nor do I speculate, what I say is truth!"
Impa stares at the statue, and then back at Lance. "Could you be the Hero? Have you returned to save us all?" She asks, beginning to feel humbled in his presence. The ancient depiction of the Hero of Time was uncannily identical to Lance. His jawline, his eyes, the curvature of his nose: everything seemed to line up perfectly.
Lance turned to examine the statue of the Hero. His eyes widened, and his palms sweat. That looks just like me! He thought. Could I be the hero? There's no way…
Impa noticed the worriedness Lance was strongly exuding. She felt sorry for him; if he truly was the hero, he was in for a fight that no one man should have to endure. But what other choice could the kingdom have? If Ganon was allowed to freely conquer the kingdom, Hyrule would be shrouded in darkness, and its people would be slaughtered for sport. Someone had to do something, and the boy who could wield the Blade of Evil's Bane must seal the darkness. He must bring peace to Hyrule.
As Impa was having this revelation, she fixed her eyes upon Lance. Zelda grabbed the boy by the hand excitedly and tugged him along. "Come, Hero! We must outfit you for your journey!" She exclaimed gleefully. Lance didn't understand her joy, for there would be harsh times ahead. It was likely that she was starstruck by the handsome hero that rolled up onto their doorstep, here to save the day. Though, it could go deeper than that. Impa saw in Zelda's eyes not the happiness that a young girl feels when she meets her hero, but something much richer. Impa saw a spark of true hope.
HYRULE CASTLE - SECRET STORAGE ROOM
Zelda pulled the lever to unearth the hidden storage room. The old stone cracked and crumbled as it slid upwards, receding into the ceiling. Inside was a pedestal with a small chest upon it. Zelda grinned from ear to ear as she motioned for Lance to come inside.
He proceeded with caution, questioning the stability of the chamber. Lance followed Princess Zelda to the box of which she instructed him to open.
"It's yours." She said as he lifted a green tunic from the chest. "The Royal Family have kept these in top condition. It was made shortly after the Hero of Time disappeared, but it seems that he never returned. These fabrics are old, but our royal tailors kept this good as new. The chain mail underneath the tunic is still sturdy, but won't protect you much from a direct attack."
Lance was startled. "Attack?" His face was frightened. Zelda realized her error.
"Er, I mean, that's just how the tailors and smiths described it to me. The point being: this is an essential tool at your disposal. You'll need this if you wish to send the darkness back into exile." Zelda corrected. Lance was uneasy with how frequently she mentioned battle and him being wounded. He had never wielded a sword in his life, and he surely didn't know how to wield the Hero's Sword.
"If you could be so kind; I mean to change." Lance told her.
"Oh yes, I'll be outside." Zelda said, as she strolled out the door.
Lance dressed himself in the Hero's Tunic. Maybe I am the Hero incarnate. He pondered this possibility as he laced up his boots. The Princess and her advisor seem to think I'm the Hero, and they know much more about this than me. He strapped on his leather gauntlets. Hyrule needs a Hero with all that's happened. Whatever darkness they point me at, I must defeat it. I'll fulfill my destiny and seal away the demon king.
"Lance! Are you ready yet?" Zelda called from outside, impatient and wanting to see the Hero in his traditional attire.
He confidently placed the green cap on his head, and stood tall. Lance smiled and replied: "Yes, yes I am."