THE QUEST FOR THE MASTER:
"From the Depths a Hero Emerges"
The pointed end rocketed out and stuck into the wood then flung Link upward through the fissure just mere moments before the walls collided, crushing everything they had pushed toward the center of the room. After Link shot out of the opening he landed on his feet. It turned out that he had emerged from the well in Kakariko Village. The best to hide something is truly right under everyone's nose. The chain retracted into the handle. Nabooru and her band stood, waiting for Link. A nod was all Nabooru offered Link for his efforts in escaping, and hopefully proving himself. He wouldn't have expected anything more from her. But a nod alone from Nabooru was worthy more than a thousand words from anyone else.
Smoke from the once burning buildings clouded everything in sight. Link couldn't make out which of the circular objects hung in the sky at that present moment in time for they both seemed to duel out as to decide which reigned supreme to hang, lording over all creation in sight.
As they rode in small vessels back over to Windfall the smoke began to disperse, letting the visage of the sky be seen. On the horizon the sun sleepily peeked, hinting at greater things to come in its luminescence.
Once they reached shore, the beautiful picture the Gods had painted for all of mankind to witness in the guise of a sunrise was tarnished but what plagued Windfall. People littered every inch of land like an infestation waiting to be cleansed or healed. Not a single person was not in a state of disarray. Many were bleeding from multiple wounds or inundated by severe burns. Myriads of lifeless carcasses beleaguered the streets. Children bawled their eyes out. Women screamed the names of recently departed loved ones, whether it be of a significant other, family member, or child.
As Link walked through the mess he looked around, drinking in every ounce there was to sip. Every sad face, every deceased shell of a former living being, he made of point of bottling that up so that when the time came, he would smash that bottle and let all the memories break through their dam and recap him of what he truly fought for. It was a time like thus that helped instill within him a sense of duty and courage. He overcame a life threatening obstacle unscathed to be reminded of his true purpose and that he had the power to reclaim for everyone what was brutally wrenched away: Happiness.
"Link! Link! I'm so glad you're alright!" Malon squealed as she rushed over to him and threw her arms around him. "I was so worried!"
"I'm okay…" He was unsure of what exactly to say – he didn't even return her hug. Everything was quite overwhelming at that point in time. He couldn't tear his eyes off the unspeakable spectacle that surrounded him.
Malon let go and looked around with him. "This is terrible… I've never seen anything like this…"
Link only shook his head. Everyone sat in despair and wallowed in a pool of their own self-pity and fear.
There was a pause between the two until Malon spoke up, "On a lighter note someone found Epona and brought her here with them."
Link didn't respond. He somehow knew. He knew that he was meant to be there. He knew that this was supposed to happen. He knew that he was meant to witness the horrendous atrocity that befell such honest, good-hearted folk. His blood began to boil. His hand began to itch. What do these people want to hear? What do they need to hear? In their darkest most desperate hour he knew he had to say something. But, also, in their time of extreme emotion they would hopefully finally act, even if at first it were a bit irrational and not completely thought through, but it's times like these that called for true passion – when one would follow their heart and trust their feelings and instincts. It was all psychology. He climbed up onto a vendors cart and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Look around you!" Some people turned to look at who was the culprit of the obnoxious bellowing. "Is this the way you want to continue living? Is this how you want your children and their children to live their lives? To grow up amongst? To constantly run from?" A few more people turned to look at Link. The rising son painted a backdrop of serenity behind him. "Was no one at the meeting at the tavern last night? What happened to that spirit that burned to put an end to this hypocrisy once and for all?" Those who made noise began to hush and take notice of Link's succinct words. "So I say again: Look around you! Now is the time to act! Let the emotions that are burning within you now fuel you to make a difference – to take a stand!" Link noticed a few people stand and drink in all he said. "I will ask once more: Where were those of you who were with us last night, ready to fight for freedom and peace?"
Silence hung in the air. No one responded. Link's sense of hope began to diminish until –
"I was there," a man answered from about twenty feet away. Many people who heard him turned to look at him.
The hope slowly crept back.
"I was there, too," another man stood up and said.
"As was I," another said as he rose to his feet.
One by one men from all over began standing. Some required help due to injuries, while those who were shorter than others jumped and waved their arms to be noticed by Link.
"Let us take all that we are feeling right now, right this very moment, and use that against Ganon – turn his own twisted perversions against him! We must one and all unite to defeat the darkness that befell our peaceful world! We are all alone right now, and with that, we are not alone!"
"Yeah!" many people responded.
"So I say to you one final time: Look around you! Are you ready for this to end!"
Link a mighty tidal wave had crashed over the entire town a swelling then crashing and rush of fists and emotions devoured the entire marketplace. "YEAH!"
"Spread the word to the highest mountains and to the deepest trenches: We will not be afraid anymore! We will not live like this anymore! And we are coming for you, Ganon!"
Everyone's reaction hit Link like a freight train. It was purely awesome.
Link saw from a short distance the Captain smiling at him and nodding his head slightly in a 'way-to-go, kid' way as he walked toward him. Malon looked up at him with a big smile adorning her face.
Link had managed to give these people the one thing that they had not felt in a very long time, the one thing that everyone always wanted but refused to have only because no one enjoys being let down, especially due to doubt. He had given them hope. Included within the recipients was himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, while perched atop the vending cart, Link caught a glimpse of the strange person whom he met for a brief moment in Kakariko when it was engulfed in flames. Quickly, he lept from the cart and tore through the sea of people, each of whom cheered him on and patted him on the back as he flew passed them. After weaving through the throng of onlookers, he noticed the person briskly, yet calmly, walk into a dimly lit alley. Link followed them into the passage.
As soon as he turned the corner into the narrow corridor he was met face-to-face with the mystery individual.
The wind seemed to carry words into his ears that whispered, "Do you not remember me?"
Yes, Link thought as he stared into the person's eyes, from Kakariko.
"Back. Farther. You will always be a child to me."
Child? Oh, wait. "Impa?" Link asked.
She shook her head in return.
Link only cocked his head slightly and scrunched his eyebrows.
"I am Sheik, the final remaining Sheikah."
"Why are you here?"
Behind the scarves that covered her face a very serene voice emitted, "I have failed my duty in protecting that which matters most."
"You mean Princess Zelda?" Link asked.
Sheik did not respond.
"You disappeared and left all those here alone and without hope…"
After a brief pause Sheik said, "Then a hero emerged from the depths of darkness to lead us into light."
Link did not know how to respond. Being referred to as a "hero" and a "leader" was still a bit jagged for him to swallow. "But, protecting Princess Zelda was Impa's responsibility, not yours. How exactly have you failed your duty?"
In a calm, smooth voice Sheik replied, "We Sheikah are as one - to state upon one is to testify to us all. Impa failed to protect Princess Zelda, so I mush redeem us all for her error."
While being quite understanding and sympathetic Link had to ask, "But it was only one fault - your legacy is vastly more expansive and full of remarkable deeds…"
Her voice never changing tone, "All it takes is one blemish on the face of an angel to make said seraph unsightly."
Link got the picture. One blunder, no matter how minute, could alter not only perception but event as well. In times like these it would be wise beyond belief to not slip-up in the slightest, for the consequences could prove dire. Quickly, in hindsight, Link thought back as to if he himself had made any gaffes: None for which came to mind in the few seconds he had to ponder upon.
"It would be my honor and proud duty to follow you on your quest and mission to defeat the Dark Lord and in that way may I achieve redemption. For there is not one to follow but you."
In a memory of a time long since passed, Link remembered being intimidated – not in a bad way – by a Sheikah. But now a Sheikah is the one who seeks to follow him and feels dwarfed in comparison to him. My, my, how the tables have turned, all the while without Link even so much as putting forth effort. Such a thing never once occurred to him, one-upping a Sheikah. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Was it a compliment? Did Sheik have low self-esteem? Was she depressed?
Another voice came from behind Link, startling him and causing him to whip around. "I will be at your side as well," Nabooru said.
With his hand on his sword ready to be drawn Link said in frustration, "Stop doing that!" How did she always know where he was? What a trickster…
"My band will mirror all those whose sense of hope, determination, and passion you have instilled, and seek out others with the same goal as us. As for me, my wit and blade are at your back. Let us go and meet with your Captain."
A moment of Link looking back and forth between Nabooru's and Sheik's eyes then passed and he nodded then proceeded to exit the alley.
At the ship the Captain took Link aside to his quarters and talked with him. "This is where we must part ways, my friend," he said as he laid a hand on Link's shoulder in compassion. "The crew and I must go and continue to form the rebellion to the fullest extent that we can. As you know it is a vast number that we must accumulate."
Link nodded in response.
"Nabooru and Sheik will accompany you on your quest. All your preparations are complete and any amenities that you may need are already abour your vessel."
Link and the Captain stared intently into each other's eyes, not wanting to say goodbye.
"One last thing before you go," the Captain went to a chiffarobe and withdrew a big sack. "Your grandfather asked me to give this to you when the time was right." Out of the bag he pulled a smooth, very reflective shield adorned with the crest of the Royal Family of Hyrule. "This has been passed down through generations of the Royal Knights," the Captain explained as he handed it to Link.
Link stared intently at the crest briefly then looked back to the Captain, "So you knew all along of my bloodline?" he said a bit taken aback, as if he were lied to by a close friend.
"Only that of which your grandfather told me shortly before… Well… You know…"
"But you were also blessed with the knowledge that my grandfather was to be taken away?"
"Listen, son," the Captain said as he stepped forward and laid a hand on Link's should again.
Link swatted the hand away in disgust as if the Captain's hand were covered in disease and pestilence that ached to spread its infection. "You knew all along and you did nothing?"
"There was nothing we could do…"
"You could have at least tried!"
"There is nothing I can say to alleviate your pain, my friend – "
"No! No there isn't!" How could the Captain have kept all this from Link? "The only person I had left you willingly gave up!" Link had never talked back, nor even had a single disagreement with the Captain before this.
Sternly the Captain took a deep breath and said while clenching his teeth, "Don't believe for one moment that I wanted this to happen!"
"But you did nothing to prevent it!"
And in a much louder and deeper voice the Captain barked, "It was at your grandfather's request! I pleaded with him for an alternative – even an explanation as to how he knew of such things – and he denied! The only thing he would say to me was that it was 'inevitable'!"
Link didn't know what to say, so he chose to not say a word. With one last angry, yet let-down, look at his former mentor he stormed out of the Captain's quarters, assembled his team, and set sail for his first destination.