Chapter 11: Painful Reunion

Falling...

I'm falling...

Why?...

I'm alone...

This darkness...

It's cold...sooo cold...

Where...am I...

Amaterasu wakes up as the sun bears down on her. She slowly raises her head as she looks up at the sky. It was morning, but well past dawn. She looks down at Link as he slept. He was broken but was not beyond healing. She began to lick his wound again which was now caked in dried blood. He moaned as he snuggles into her shivering. That is when she realizes that Link felt warm. He was getting a fever from the mixture of fatigue and cold of the wind of last night's rain. She knew she had to get him back to his friends and out of the wind. She gets up and tries to get Link to stand up. He does but his legs buckle after just a few steps. 'What's wrong Link?'

'Tired... so tired...so cold...' Link shivers. 'Amaterasu...help...'

He lets out a weak and pitiful bark. Amaterasu carefully pulls Link onto her back and decides that she needs to hurry. No telling when Kuragari's servants will appear to stop her. She shuddered at the idea of becoming his pet. There was moaning from Link as she jumped down the ledges. She stopped and walked more carefully. Apparently moving to much causes him pain. She tries to be as gentle as possible as she was reduced to a slow walk. By the time they reached Sei-An, the sun was high in the sky. Link had drifted back to sleep with some moaning at the smallest upset. As Amaterasu entered the city, a familiar voice came to her. She looks up to see Izanagi flying towards her. She smiles as he approaches. 'Hello Amaterasu, I'm glad to see your back. How is the boy?'

Amaterasu glanced at Link on her back. 'Bad. He did some damage to himself and we slept in the rain which caused him to get sick. Where is everyone?'

'At the castle.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Everyone was gathered to listen to each other's stories. They all turned as the doors open to see Izanagi with Amaterasu with Link on her back. Rusl was immediately on his feet and running over to Link. Before he could lay a hand on him though, Amaterasu pulled away from him in a sudden motion that caused Link to moan. She walked away to a separate room where she carefully slid him on to a comforter. A white light filled the room as both Link and Amaterasu were back in human forms. She pulls off his tunic and the under shirt. She places them aside with his hat on them. She gave him some medicine, bandaged his forehead and tucked him in. Everyone just watched before she turns to them. "Link will talk when he is ready. Anyone says other wise and will have to answer to me."

They all stared at her before Rusl spoke. "Care to explain a few things? At least what you do know?"

Amaterasu thought then nodded. She joined them in the throne room where they sat around and listen. "Everyone on Nippon knows about Link's ability to change to a wolf and back. We are not short sighted and insensitive to think of every strange occurrence as dark magic. As a matter of fact, animals and humans live peacefully in this land. As you see, Nippon and Hyrule were created differently from the view of the gods and/or goddesses that controlled that land. We all had worked together to make this world. Then we split apart and took a country based on our beliefs. Four gods lived in this place and it was from them that the rest of us gods are born from. Izanagi is one of the four. Here, we believed that everyone should chose who they are, and create obstacles as well as means of helping and encouraging the people. They should chose whether to be a hero or not. Not everyone is cut out for the job physically and/or emotionally. We believed in peace and harmony, but the thing is not every land is perfect. For example; we have Kuragari to deal with. We have demons and Yami and humans that sometimes need nothing more than a kick in the pants."

"Hyrule is no different. The goddesses thought they could maintain as much peace as possible by creating a hero whom they will use to take on any evil that spawns in their land. This hero is Link. His soul has been reincarnated so many times to defeat evil over and over again. Most of the time he is forced to beat Ganondorf but there were other forms of darkness he battled as well. Each and everytime he is reincarnated, all memories from his previous life are gone as he starts anew with little knowledge of the fights and torture he endured in the previous lives. In reality, Link is nothing more than a tool for the goddesses, princess, and all of Hyrule to use when they need saving. Altogether he has suffered more than any living mortal or god. Just know more pain was brought upon him and all of his past life memories are returned to him. This is his reaction and I must say, there is nothing I can do for him since he belongs to the goddesses though I think this kind of treatment is torture. Not only that but the way he is treated by the Hylians as a hero and not just a normal person also brings up some hurt. That is all I know on the subject."

Rusl was looking at the ground as the captain sits back with a look of guilt on his face. Susano had a look of shock as Issun glances back at the door to Link's room. Zelda looks at Amaterasu. "Even as a princess I didn't know."

Amaterasu nodded, "You do now."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Link stirs as the sun shines through the widow. There was a weight on his chest. He looks up to see a huge cat with red markings standing with her front paws over his heart. He struggles as the cat jumps off and he sits up. 'Glad to see your feeling well.'

Link looks at the cat and already guessed what she was. "So what's your name, what god are you, and how long have I been out."

The cat giggles before answering. 'In order: My name is Kabegami. I am the God of Catwalk, which allows anyone to walk up the side of a building or cliff. You have been out for almost two days. In that time we have managed to track down blight to the sunken ship and lead another ally here.'

Link looks at her quizzically. "Who is the al-"

His words were cut off as screaming could be heard. The voice he almost recognizes but knew it can't possibly be. Yet somehow he knew. Suddenly the door burst as Midna and Xedro stand in the doorway. Midna rushes to Link with a look of happiness and concern. Xedro stands back with a smile on his face. Link could barely keep her off of him as he tries not to laugh. "It's so good to see you again."

"How did you get here?"

Xedro smiles as he answers the hero's question. "There was another mirror that lead to the Twilight World from Nippon. One in which Midna can't destroy."

Midna looked Link over before punching his shoulder. "What are you doing here anyways?"

Link's face fell. He left Hyrule to run from those memories he had of her. He turned his face from her. Her own face fell in confusion and concern. She decides not to push the subject. "Um, I was worried when I heard you were sick."

Link furrowed his brow as more pain showed on his face. He looked at Midna and forced a small smile on his face. "So why are you here?"

Midna stared at him before answering. "Darkness and monsters are getting into our world from out here in Nippon. Only the gods here can destroy the mirror."

Link looked up at her. "So you want to clean out the world of twilight and then destroy that mirror as well."

Midna looked at him then nodded. "Yes,...I guess."

Link closes his eyes. "The gods here would never agree to it. I've seen it."

Midna looks at him surprised. She then turns her face away. "Let's change the subject."

Link sighs before turning to her as Amaterasu appears. "Midna, this is Amaterasu. She is the Sun God and Mother of all of Nippon. On her shoulder is Issun. He is a Poncle and a traveling artist."

Midna and Amaterasu nodded to each other silently as Amaterasu comes in and passes Midna to sit near me. She places a hand on my forehead moving it down to my cheek. "Are you feeling better?"

Link nods. Amaterasu smiled as she crosses her leg. "Link, I know it'll be painful but I need you to tell Midna, Issun, and I why you left Hyrule in the first place. I know the reason but I need to know what happened up to the point of the ship's sinking."

Link glances at Midna and then at Issun. He then looks at Amaterasu and soon found himself being pulled in with her gentle red eyes. Finding his new found strength, he took a deep breath and began to tell his story.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Link was riding through Hyrule field on Epona, but it wasn't with much enthusiasm. Wherever he looked he could see memories of his adventure. The battles on the bridges, the monsters he slain, the sword techniques he learned, the many owl statues, the letters from the mailman, the runs as a wolf, and the times with Midna. It all made his heart ache. He was thrown into this adventure with no warning and without his consent. On top of it all, Midna destroyed the only path between them. Other than the her, Zelda was the only one he can talk to about the big details of his adventure, but she wasn't there with him and besides that, she has her own duties to take care of. Link had thought about returning to Ordon but he knew it would never be the same. If things were different, he'd still be in Ordon blissfully playing with the kids and looking forward to probably a lifelong marriage with Ilia. Link sighs as he thinks of that possibility. It seems great but now...

Link shakes his head as he enters Castle Town. He looks at the many stands. He decides to head to Telma's bar since it had been a few days since he'd seen her. He went through the doors and a smell of freshly cooked meat and bread filled his nostrils. He realized that he hasn't eaten in days and thought to at least eat something. Once he sat down with his food though he found he wasn't hungry anymore. Still he forced himself to eat. As he ate his he looked around the room and more memories flew through his mind. He looked up to see the ropes he had to walk on to carry Midna's near-lifeless form to Zelda. He looked where he met the resistance and where he found Ilia and Prince Ralis. Link lowered his head somewhat. He looked at his barely eaten plate 

and pushed the rest away. He sighed as Telma came over and noticed the food. "Link, you must eat something. I don't want everyone's favorite hero to drop dead on us."

She had placed a hand on his shoulder as Link made a little nod and continued eating. It was now even harder to swallow but he managed. Tears started to stream down his face as Telma sat down next to him. She knew that Link wouldn't tell what was wrong because she wasn't with him when whatever has happened happen. She just squeezes his shoulder as a way to comfort him. Link smiles somewhat to Telma and continues eating. Suddenly I heard something as my ears perked. Telma looked at me before turning her gaze to a group of men who were talking. "So it is decided. We leave in two weeks. I was wondering if we should head to Aritia or Nippon first."

Another man spoke up. "Why not Nippon, Captain? I heard the drinks there are the sweetest and I would love to get a look at their supposedly magnificent scenery."

Here several men nodded and the captain spoke. "Nippon it is. This will be great. Traveling across the waters to places we've never seen. Think of the adventures!"

Thoughts swirled in Link's head. 'Think of the adventures?' That was what he needed. He had to get his mind off of her and get out of this rut, but since there isn't much to do in Hyrule he was stuck in a depressive state that will surely get hi killed. Telma seemed to have noticed Link's face for her comforting voice could be heard. "Do you think that a bit of traveling and adventuring will help?"

Link thought about this for a moment. He looked at Telma. She was one of few people he could ever turn to for some words of wisdom. He knew he would miss her and everyone else but he had to. Either that or he suffers this depressive state for the rest of his life. What little of it there was left. I gave a small smile as I nodded. "Right now, I think that might be what is best for me."

Telma smiled in her usual gentle way. I got up and walked over as she watched. The captain saw me walking over and recognized my green tunic. "Well, if it isn't the great hero. Link, I presume? I am Stratton, but you can call me Captain. That is what everyone else calls me."

I merely nodded. "I heard about your plans and I was wondering, mind if I join you?"

Captain stared at me quizzically. Here Link got a good look at him. He looked like one of those guys that you don't want to get on the wrong side of. His clothes were all a tannish color. He had a tunic with a vest and loose pants with a brown belt and boots. The man had a clean shaven face and a ponytail tide into his long, black hair. He had green, sharp eyes and a strong jaw line. Surprisingly he smiled. "Of course. If it's adventure you want, there is always a spot open for you. Some merchants and other sailors will be coming with us. We will be at the ocean which is south east of Hyrule. Two weeks. Don't be late."



I smiled as I looked at Telma. She was smiling back as she got up and came over to me. "I'll get some supplies here for you. You head back to Ordon and tell everyone. You should also start packing."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

They were all standing around the boat as Link said his last goodbyes. He wasn't the only one. Everyone, including the captain, were all saying goodbyes to friends and families. He turns to all his friends. He was surprised at how many showed up. The goron elders, Prince Ralis, all of Ordon village, the resistance, Renado, Luda, Barnes, Yeto and Yeta, Ooccoo and Ooccoo Jr., Princess Zelda, and even King Bulbin. It hurt to see Ilia's upsetting look but Link knew it will never be. Several of his friends gave him food and such for the trip. He accepted special magic from Zelda to make Fire, Ice, Silver, and Light arrows. Renado handed him a book which told him a lot about the many lands he was to travel to, including Nippon. Barnes gave him plenty of each type of bomb he had, including a new type called a Bombchu. He got a special sword from Rusl so he gave his old one to Colin. He was even given a special charm for his necklace to call an eagle (or any other bird) in the area to his aid. Link thanked everyone as he puts the items away in the magic pouch he had received from Midna. There was a slight pang in his chest but he ignored it. He climbed on the ship and waved to everyone as the ship departed. He then looked onward to the seas and never looked back.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Links Journal:

It has been three months since I have left Hyrule. I was surprised that they would allow me on the boat to begin with. The captain proved to be a kinder man than he seemed. I still have trouble eating and sleeping. I have grown rather thin and the captain is now scared that I might die on him. I don't know whether I care or not. It is hard to tell now. Many of my feelings seem to have left me when I started this journey. It has been that way ever since the end of my last adventure.

All the memories I have left behind. I could not stay after she left. I wonder how she is. It kills me even now to think about her. She is gone and there was no way she can come back. Even though she is where she belongs, I still feel that it could've worked out. No matter how many times I try to convince myself that what she did was right, I still feel the sadness in my heart. Around my neck hangs the small fragment of magic that was used for the transformation. I can't use it without her help. It is all I have left of her. Why did she do it? I will never see her again. Did she do the right thing? Am I doing the right thing? Am I just running away from my past? I don't know if I even have the courage to face it any longer. I can only wish that I would someday forget about her and finally go on with my life.

In about three more weeks we will arrive at our destination. Maybe I can get some answers, maybe I am just being a coward, maybe I should go back, or maybe stay in this distant land instead. I will have to wait. After all, Zelda has always looked to the future. I wonder how she was able to handle the loss. I always wonder. She has lost her own father and she still is 

able to move on. I wonder if it's even the same thing. Anyway, I have heard little about my destination. All I heard was that it was a distant land called Nippon, a land that is very far to the east of Hyrule. We had to sail the ocean to reach it. I will be able to see the land with my own eyes soon. From tales I have heard, it is a land where the gods are more active and social than in our own Hyrule. I am not quite sure what that means but I hope to find out soon. We seem to be heading into a storm soon. I better be ready when it comes. I would not wish to float to shore as a drowned corpse.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The storm had hit the ship hard. Thankfully the ship seemed to be able to hold. Most of the crew was below deck with a few going above deck to check on things. A Link sat with the shivering merchants and his horse standing nearby was nervously shaking her head. Link also felt something strange. "Do you guys have the feeling that some dark force is causing this?"

Several of the men looked at me with surprise before nodding. "I'm going on deck to take a look. I'll come back if it gets to rough."

No one stopped him. He was the Hero after all. Maybe they think Link would save them. The captain followed Link up on deck as they looked up to the clouds. The captain looked at Link. "Do you think we are not wanted?"

"Most likely!" Was all Link was able to say until a black shard hanging from the center of his necklace hidden under his tunic began to glow. Link felt his body began to cover him in darkness as a wave came and swept him off the deck and into the raging ocean. The last thing he saw before he went under was another wave ripping the ship in two.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That is all I know. That is all I can remember."

Link felt his voice had grown hoarse and it became too painful to continue talking. He was tired from all the talking and hesitantly he looked up at those he had talked to. Midna's face showed a mixture of shock, sadness, concern, and guilt. It was amazing how many emotions she has fitted into one look. Issun looked concerned and a little bit of pity for Link. Amaterasu merely gave a look of understanding as she placed a hand on Link's bare chest and pressed him back down to the bed. Link did so without fighting back. He needed the sleep. Amaterasu stroked his head as Midna turned away. Xedro's face showed no emotion. He did not know what to feel. Amaterasu finally pulled Link's blanket up. "You better get more sleep. You still need to recover."