Chapter Nineteen
A Hero Is Reborn
General Dragan al'Dragal surveyed the crowds around him, soaking up awe of the multitude around him. Thousands of Hylian soldiers were gathered inside the Inner Circle, filling the entire courtyard between the great gates, the fortress stronghold, and the palace of the Queen. The mass of soldiers, some fully armed, others off duty in civilian clothing, were packed in across the grounds between the walls right up to a large circular podium in the centre, upon which he now stood, surrounded by six men in black robes.
He raised his arms in the air, waving them upwards repeatedly. Cheering rose from the crowd, men stamped their boots and shook their spears on the ground. "Soldiers of Hylia!" he shouted, "Loyal warriors of the crown!"
The cheering died down, and he spoke loudly above them all. "You are gathered here today to answer the summons to war. I led you to victory against the Kairin in the Battle for the White Gate, but this war has just begun." He turned as he spoke, so his voice could carry to all. "It is for this reason that today a new leader shall be presented to you, who will lead us to victory in war."
The cheering died down, and a hush settled upon the assembly. "I speak of the Marshal of Hyrule, Ivarl al'Arantos." Quiet murmuring in the crowd steadily grew louder, and Dragan had to signal for silence again. "It was his Divine Highness the Marshal who directed the lightning storm on that night battle befell this city, and banished the Kairin utterly from the north. There are those who say the Marshal is a relic and a figurehead, but this man has already done more to fight the Kairin that you may ever know. My brothers, the Marshal of Hyrule."
One of the black-clad men stepped into the centre of the podium. He drew back his hood, uncovering his head so that all could see his face. In a swift movement he ripped the cord that held his cloak on and cast it aside, revealing his shining plate mail armour. Dragan moved aside with a quick bow for Marshal.
Link surveyed the crowds. There was an unnatural hush in the courtyard, such that the sounds of the city could be heard clearly beyond the Inner Wall. He had wondered if this day would ever come, when he would cast aside the shadows in his life and claim his authority with the people. "Men of Hylia," he said, speaking loudly over the large gathering. "You have heard my name and my title. You know of some of my deeds, and influences. Yet the question remains for you all, 'Who is this man who would lead us? What right does he claim to command me?'."
Link scanned the faces looking up at him, some with awe, some with scorn, some with bewilderment. "I have maintained my solitude for many years, leading from behind the lines, with General Dragan and his officers acting on my behalf, but understand that for all your working lives it was me who directed the spears of the Crown. It is I who has solidified our position as the greatest power in Hyrule. And it is I who will lead you to glory in battle against the Kairin."
Murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd but also whispers of discontent. "I have, for a long time, both feared and desired this hour. In this hour, before all present I am going to reveal to you from where I gain my authority, my right to lead the armies of Hyrule. My power is not given to me by mortals, not even by the good grace of Her Majesty the Queen. I have been sent to you by the gods!" If the crowd's tone was a mix of opinion before, it now exploded with shock and outrage.
"The blasphemer dares claim he comes from the gods?" cried one distinctive voice. "He's a blood traitor!" declared another. "Heretic!" came the cry of many. Spears were shaken against shields angrily and some tried to clamber up onto the podium.
Link watched this unfold calmly, not letting the unrest un-nerve him. He took a deep breath, and clenched his right fist, feeling for the source of his soul, drawing upon a power which had long lain asleep and thrust his arm down towards the deck of the podium. A bright flame burst up from the ground, shooting high up into the sky leaving a pillar of fire in its wake. When it was perhaps a hundred feet in the air it fanned out into a wide dome which descended around the entire assembly. A wall of flame also fanned up around himself to protects himself from anyone who would try and strike him.
"Hear me!" he shouted, using his magic to project his voice loudly. His voice shook the ground and the foundations of the court. "Every day hundreds of men women and children gather together in the city Temple, and pray to the gods for the return of the Hero of legend. Today I stand before you and pronounce on behalf of Din, Nayru and Farore that your prayers have been answered." The jeering and taunting of the crowd had been instantly silenced by the display of fire, now they watched with faces of astonishment, and fear at the fire which had spread between them and the sky. "I am the Marshal of Hyrule, and I will banish the Kairin armies from this land of Hyrule." He held up his left hand and allowed the golden light of the Triforce of Courage to shine. "I your Hero of Time!"
The faces of the crowd all became wide eyed with astonishment for a moment, and then they all turned to fevered uncertainty. Events had moved fast, Link's own heart was racing. They began to clap and applaud him, steadily rising into cries of jubilation, and Link felt his spirit being reborn with him.