Author's note:
Okay.
I'm not dead.
I'm just a procrastinator.
School started a couple of weeks ago so there's that to blame. But that's not much of an excuse... I seriously can't tell you how sorry I am. I recently became SUPER obsessed with Hetalia – the greatest anime in the world. No I'm serious. It's about pasta, heroes, and WWII, I mean, how much more awesome can you get? WATCH IT. OMIGAWD.
But I can feel myself slipping back into the Zelda universe. So hip-hip-hooray! I'll be updating more often now! Plus, I convinced myself that as soon as I get done with the Goron stuff, everything will be ten times better. I. HATE. THE. GORON. TEMPLE. MY. GOD.
But I seriously think the only reason I'm even still doing this is you guys :D I mean, I love to write and I love Zelda, but your reviews just make me so happy that I feel so pumped and motivated. They make me smile so much it hurts. Please keep leaving your reviews~ I love you guys 3
Now let's see what Link's gonna get himself into next, shall we? Hehehehe...
*THIS IS A TRANSITION*
Link stopped in his tracks.
Hey...
Hey!
It was that...thing!
That white wolf... the one he'd howled with at the stone. Yeah... the whole thing with the Hidden Skills and all that...
Shit...
He hadn't used his sword in a while... This might get a little sloppy...
Link hurried over to it, and it stood up, golden fur glinting in the sun. Suddenly, it faded into white all around him and he barely felt himself collapse on the ground before losing consciousness.
*THIS IS A TRANSITION*
They were standing in Ordon Spring. Ilia crossed her arms. "I'm not worried about Epona, you meathead...I'm worried about YOU."
Link poked her in the stomach, but she grabbed his finger. He tried to twist it free but she held firmly, so instead he poked her with his other hand. She giggled and blocked her stomach with her arms. They began to relax, and Ilia said, "Listen, Link...Could you do something for me?"
"Anything," he said.
"Follow me."
Ilia broke into a run, catching Link off guard. "Ilia, wait up!"
She just giggled.
It wasn't long before they were in Faron Woods. He knew these woods well, but...something seemed different.
"Ilia, please!"
She stopped, suddenly, and Link followed her gaze. A huge castle was in front of them - Hyrule Castle. It was grand and enormous - bigger than all of Ordon Village. He looked back at Ilia, but she was gone.
"Ilia? Farore, where are you?"
He heard someone walk up behind him, and he spun around. Zelda stood there, her deep sapphire eyes searching his. Link blinked as something began to happen to her face, like it was morphing into something else. "It is coming," she whispered as her blond hair shortened and her crown and dress disappeared. Link realized he was now looking in a mirror, staring at himself.
Suddenly, a searing pain hit him. It tore at him from all sides and ripped him apart, and he tumbled to the ground. He saw something like fur before his attention was directed to a man, who looked overwhelmingly familiar. He smiled wolfishly down at him as he raised the sword in his hand, then sliced it through Link's stomach.
Link sat up panting, a hand flying to his stomach where the sword was. But a part of him already knew the sword wouldn't be there.
Damn dream.
Damn.
Dream.
Why was that the only thing he could dream about? Zelda and Ilia and some mysterious murderer. Why?
He begam dimly aware of his surroundings - or rather, the lack therof. He was surrounded by a white foggy... nothingness.
Right...
The Hidden Skills.
Well, he hadn't really practiced in a while...
So this should be interesting.
He turned around to see the strange man there that had taught him the first skill.
"We meet again," he said, with what sounded like a bit of...annoyance? Reluctance? Bitterness? Link just rolled his eyes.
"Looks like it, Captain Obvious."
The skeletal man glared at him. "You haven't changed much, have you? Though you appear to have a little more of the looks of a hero than you did before... Do you feel ready to earn your next skill?"
"Sure. Let's get to it." Link unsheathed his sword and advanced on the man.
"So eager," the man muttered. "A true hero is patient."
"Yeah, well to me it seems like a hero should be ready to go into battle at any moment. And not to press the subject," Link said, exasperated, "but I never said I was a true hero. Just the opposite, in fact. But I don't want to be here all day, so how about we just get started?" Link himself was surprised at his sharp tone, but frankly he felt uncomfortable referring to himself as a 'hero.' He just wanted to drop the subject and get back to Caden and Kakariko and the kids and... an angry Renado...
...Well, maybe he shouldn't be in such a rush...
"Very well..." the man said, unsheathing his sword. "But before we begin, I must test you to ensure you have mastered the last skill I taught you...the ending blow." Link nodded. "Now then, come at me!"
Link quickly advanced on the man. It didn't take him three hits to realize, though, that the man wasn't doing anything to defend himself.
"What, you're not gonna put up a fight?" Link asked with a smirk, but he struck the man to the ground before he could answer. He then jumped forward and sliced his blade through his gut with a satisfying thwak!
In one quick move he was back on his feet, standing in front of the limp body. The body soon was mobile again, however, as it sprung back to life and stood before him. "Excellent. It appears you are certainly capable of performing my lost art. Very well. My second skill is...The shield attack! Let it be hewn into your mind!"
*IS IT WORKING SO FAR?*
Colin sighed and sat down by himself. Now everyone was mad at them - not just Mr. Renado, but Link and Caden too. And like normal, all the other kids were blaming it on him.
He looked up at Beth and Malo talking in the road. Beth is so pretty, he thought to himself with a smile. I wish she would talk to me.
Noise.
Screaming.
Chaos.
A big green thing was riding on an ugly beast. In the middle of the road. Right toward Beth.
Beth!
He began shaking.
He had to do something! He had to be brave, like Link! What would Link do right now? He would go save Beth! Push her out of the way!
But he wasn't strong enough to do that. He wasn't brave enough. There was no way... no way...
He stole another glance at Beth. That monster was about to hit her.
Colin began running. He heard ringing in his ears as he pushed Beth out of the way and looked up at the big ugly thing. Its glowing red eyes were the last thing he remembered.
*I THINK IT'S WORKING*
"Hya!" Link cried as he shoved his shield forward and down, then scooping it up to hit his opponent – a Bokoblin – in the head, stunning it. He used that opportunity to shove his sword into its stomach and kill it.
"I guess when push comes to shove, those hidden skills come in handy," Link said as he drew in his sword and sheathed it. He mounted Epona again and continued riding through Hyrule field, happy to feel wind whipping through his hair. A few more waves of adrenaline washed through him, and he made Epona go faster, happy at the tingling sensation his body was flushed with in response.
But his happiness was short lived. Link could see Kakariko approaching, and his mind swam. No doubt the kids would be afraid of him, thinking he'd be angry; Caden would probably be mad at Link for getting him in trouble; and Renado... Well, did he even need an explanation?
He slowed Epona down and peered past the gate. He was about to dismount her when he heard something.
Screaming.
Yelling.
A familiar sound of a horn being blowed.
Link kicked Epona, but she was already on the move, sensing the danger. She jumped the fence - for which Link was grateful - and was racing toward the danger in no time at all.
In Kakariko, Link knew before he looked that that huge, oversized Bolblin on the pig-thing was there. He recognized the sound of the horn. All his little minions would no doubt be there too.
However, one glance at that thing, and Link felt the color drain from his face.
It had Colin.
It held Colin its hand.
In its hand!
That filthy thing had its hands on Colin!
He felt his fear turn into strong anger and Epona went even faster, if that was possible. He could feel himself growling into Epona's mane, leaning forward to stay balanced. The Bolbin leader was already racing away from Link at top speed, but Link knew he could outrun it.
He could outrun it, right?
He hadn't realized how tightly he was gripping the reigns, but his knuckles were turning white. Link willed himself to calm down, to relax if only a little bit. The pounding in his chest slowed a little, and he closed his eyes as Epona continued on.
He had to concentrate.
He had to concentrate if he was going to save Colin.
He found himself in Hyrule field once again, and slowed down Epona as he came upon the King Bolbin. The thing sneered and smirked a crooked smirk, its eyes daring him to make a move. Link noticed with another spout of anger that it had Colin tied to a stick high above his head. It then slowly rose its ugly hand and ever so smoothly gestured for Link to come at him.
And that did it.
Epona exploded forward at Link's command, but the bastard was just as quick. He saw the thing pull out its horn and blow, and seconds later heard the sound of multiple hooves behind him. By now - shit, the others had arrows - the only thing that stopped Link from chucking his blade at the King Bolbin's head was that Colin might get hurt if he did. So he tightened his grip on his sword and steered Epona left and right to catch up to his fleeing enemy.
He grew closer and closer. He could just barely reach it if he tried. Just a little closer... A little more...
Link shoved his sword forward and almost burst into tears at the sound of metal hitting metal. Fuck fuck fuck shit shit shit he had armor?!
He jammed his sword forward again, harder this time, searching for any kind of breach. When he hit the king a third time, something happened.
It fell off.
A piece of the armor fell off.
Oh Din, Farore, and Nayru, thank you.
He didn't have time to celebrate before sharp pain was rippling through his shoulder. His cry of pain caused Epona to slow down out of concern for her master. The king was getting away...
Link yanked the arrow out and kicked Epona's sides to speed her up. Warm blood oozed out of the wound and stained the ancient, sacred tunic that was centuries old and sent by the gods that was once worn by the ancient Hero and was passed down to him because he was trusted by the sacred light spirits and now he was going to get in trouble with them and well shit.
Another arrow struck him in the back.
Right.
Back to the battle.
By now, Link was caught up with the king Bolblin again. He gripped his sword tightly and slashed it down on the monster's back, exposing more ugly green skin. He hit him again, and again, and by now all of the armor was gone. He pointed his sword and made to dig the blade deep into the beast's gut, but...his skin was too damn thick.
But the damage he'd done was enough. The Bolblin leader was stunned and began riding lopsided on his beast. Unfortunately, his beast-pig was smart, and it began to head for the bridge.
Dammit.
Of course he did.
Of course he did.
Nevertheless, Link followed without hesitation. The Bulbin was waiting at one end of the bridge, and Link made Epona back into the other end as he smirked. He knew how to do this. Horseback riding was his specialty.
Then something happened.
The Bulblin king nodded, and they both kicked their animal and started at each other.
But he nodded.
Almost like they were friends.
And as Link veered Epona to one side suddenly, and his sword clashed with skin, something crossed his mind. That thing didn't speak - or if it did, certainly not his language. But it had still communicated with him. And Link had understood. They'd had the same thought, agreed on something together. Because they'd had something in common. They shared something.
The battle field.
His whole life, Link thought that fighting and battles and war only tore people apart.
But maybe it could bring people together, too.
Even enemies.
And that was Link's last thought as the Bulblin King fell off its beast and hit the ground, dead. Dead. His doing. This time, along with his rush of adreneline he always felt after killing, something was layered behind his happiness, his feeling of I-can-do-this.
He felt sad.
*BUM-BUM-BUM-BUM-BUUUUM-BU-BU-BUUUUM*
"Link..."
Oh no he didn't.
No he did just not.
He did?!
Did Colin just talk?!
Was he awake?!
Was he alive?!
Link dropped everything and held Colin in his arms. His eyes were open, but look glassed over, as if he was only half-conscious. The people around the village gathered around them.
"Is everyone...okay?"
Link felt his arms start to tremble. Colin was okay.
Colin was alive.
"Everyone's fine, just fine. Are you okay?"
"...Good."
"Did you hear me? I asked if you were okay."
Colin closed his eyes and made a slight nod. Then he opened his eyes and looked over at Beth. "Beth... I'm sorry. You know... for shoving you. Are you mad?"
Beth widened her eyes and gave a violent shake of the head. Then she smiled a warm smile.
"I... I think I finally understand."
"Colin, don't worry about it. Just relax. No need to explain anything."
He continued anyway. "I understand what my dad meant when he told me I needed to be stronger, like you, Link..." Colin...Colin thought he was strong? Colin's father thought he was strong?
Colin lifted his arm up as if he were reaching for something in a daze. "He wasn't talking about strenth, like lifting stuff. He was talking about being brave..." His hand formed a tight fist for a few seconds, then his arm collapsed.
Colin thought Link was really that brave? "But Colin, you did something stupid. You ignored your better judgement and did something even though you knew it could get you killed. You went out and almost died just to save someone older and maybe stronger than you. You did something stupid." Link smiled down at the boy in his arms. "You are brave."
Everyone around him laughed. Even Renado.
War can bring people together.
"Link... You saved me, didn't you?"
"Of course I did. I wasn't gonna let that thing kill you."
He smiled weakly. "You... you can do anything."
What?
Did Colin really believe that?
"You can do something to help the Gorons in the mine too, can't you, Link?"
Link nodded, and Colin smiled.
Then he fainted.
*OH NO HE FAINTED*
Renado never scolded Link for going up the mountain without permission. In fact, when Link and Caden asked - well, begged - to be able to go up to the mines, now that Link had the iron boots, Renado finally caved in and agreed. So that meant no more sneaking around.
Although Link still had to hide Midna.
Speaking of which...What was he going to do when he had to go back into the Twilight? Caden couldn't come with him. And he couldn't figure out why he couldn't come.
Link shook his head and decided to worry about it later. Which was probably a bad idea, but oh well.
Link was currently standing in Talo's shop - little Talo had his own store - and fingering a metal shield. Midna had convinced him that a metal shield would be a better thing to bring to a fire temple than a flamable, wooden one. And she was probably right.
"Here you go," Link said, handing Talo four purple rupees.
He turned and left the shop, smiling down at the shield. It was so well crafted. Link had no idea where Talo had gotten his hands on it. Not that it mattered - it was his now, and he felt like a hero as he held it in his hand.
"You ready to go?"
Link turned around and saw Caden standing there, equipped with a sword like his and a plain metal shield. "Yup," he replied happily. They turned and left Kakariko, talking along the way. Caden had some trouble keeping up with Link, though, who was just about ready to jump out of his pants. Because no matter how many times he would tell people that he wasn't a hero - which he wasn't! - he actually kind of enjoyed adventuring like this. To be completely honest, he couldn't wait to start fighting again.
Before long they were back up to the steep hill. The Goron at the top hadn't noticed them yet, for which they could count themselves lucky. When they got to the top, though, they were spotted immediately.
"Ho! You are back again, humans? You will never pass! You cannot hope to match our brute force!"
"Come and get me," Link said with a smirk. Fire lit in the Goron's eyes and he curled into a ball.
"Midna!" Link whispered fiercely. He felt himself grow heavy as she warped the iron boots onto his feet. "Get behind me," Link said, and Caden obeyed.
This time, when Link's fingers dug into the Goron's rocky skin, he wasn't moved an inch. He was able to push the Goron over to the side and watched with a grin as it rolled over the edge.
Okay, so having the heart and spirit of a hero was important.
But having the right stuff helps, too.
*YET ANOTHER TRANSITION*
"Did you see the look on that guy's face?"
"Priceless!"
Link and Caden were laughing so hard they had to stop walking and calm down. They were having quite a bit of fun surprising the Gorons with their strength - they took turns wearing the boots - and were cracking jokes every ten seconds that made the other one laugh uncontrollably.
They were about halfway up the mountain, Link had to guess. Every few minutes, they would hear the rumbling sound of a Goron rolling its way down the hill, so they would ask Midna to warp the boots onto one of them eagerly. And then the Goron's expressions when they rolled away would just kill them.
But in a good way.
Link also noticed something else. The further they travelled, the more relaxed Caden became. It wasn't just in his body language, it was his plain old language - more slang. He wasn't as formal. Link felt kind of proud that he was the one that opened Caden up like this.
Somewhere along the way, Midna popped out and started talking with them. Link found himself having the most fun he'd had in a while. Although for some reason, Link felt his heart flutter a little whenever Midna talked.
Weird.
They continued walking and laughing, and once again they all had to stop because they were laughing too hard. Link's side started to hurt and he leaned on a rock for support. After they calmed down, Link just so happened to glance at the rock and immediately a tune found its way into his head.
That was the howling stone!
Link wanted to laugh, but he felt pretty laughed out. Instead he started humming the tune he'd howled for that stone. He was really surprised he remembered it so well. He continued to hum, and the more sure he became of the notes, the louder he began to hum. He was surprised that when he was about to repeat it again, more unfamiliar notes popped into his head and he hummed those. And after hearing this strange new tune out loud, he recognized it.
Somewhere deep inside him, those notes tugged at his heartstrings. It almost felt like they were trying to bring back memories, but he didn't know what of.
"Are there words?"
Link jumped. "What?" He didn't know they were listening to him!
"The song you were humming. Are there lyrics?"
Link opened his mouth to say 'no', but for some reason he felt himself nodding. And when he took in a breath to explain that he didn't know what the lyrics were, he found himself begin to sing.
Day to night, dark to light,
Fall the sands of time.
Let the years like the gears
Of a clock unwind
In your mind walk through time
Back to better days.
Memories, like a dream,
Wash tears away.
Like a star in the sky,
Darkness can't reach you
Light the night, joy is light,
Till the new dawn.
Cast away your old face
Let go your spite,
With this mask I'll ask
To borrow your light
Oh what the hell.
How did he just...
What?
Where the fuck did that come from?!
How in the hell.
How.
What.
Then Link remembered that he had just sung that song in front of Midna and Caden. Out loud. And now they were staring at him. And now his face was red. And now he was a fuckin' singing princess fairy and he was going to get made fun of on so many levels and shit.
"You're a really good singer."
*THE END OF LE CHAPTER*
Oh God I made Link a mother effing singer xD I thought it was fitting though cuz he's a wolf and howls at the stones and...and...
Okay. So you'll have to wait and see why he knows that song. It'll all tie together.
Lyrics by ColdFlameZero on Youtube and here's the song - watch?v=CXTvqpjQGz8
Again, I'm gonna update more often now. Don't get your panties in a bunch.