Author and Story Notes:
I don't normally do this, but I decided a quick break in the story flow was needed, just to explain out a few things, especially about how this world of Hyrule works. Amberle brought up some questions, and I suppose some explanation is needed, so as things aren't too confusing. So, let me start at the beginning here, and move through.
In the beginning, we had the game Ocarina of Time. Everything happened there that was supposed to happen. The game ends with Link, the entire world, being sent back into time to the point where Link again was a young boy.
Now, where my story picks it up is, when Zelda sent everyone back in time, she intended to seal away everyone's memories, so no one would realize the horrors that had happened in that other time. What she didn't count on, was the fact that Link is the Hero of Time, and things involving time slow and such working differently for him. He remembered everything.
Well, this really bummed Link out. Everywhere he looked, instead of the smiling faces of the people who were really there, Link only saw the vivid memories of what had transpired before, all the death, destruction and torture. Plus, being the only one left who remembered, well, he felt completely alone. So, he left Hyrule, with the Ocarina of Time and the Spiritual Stone of Forest in his guardianship.
Now, this is where the Shadows of the World come in. When an important event in the life of and extremely important person occurs, a choice is made. Now, the world continues on after that choice is made, like it is supposed to. But, a secondary world, a shadow of the real world is created, one in which the opposite choice was made. In this case, instead of leaving Hyrule, Link stayed. Now, the shadow world Ganondorf didn't influence Link, it was the real world Ganondorf. Since his lineage dates back to the Ancient world I've created, he was different as well, like Link. So, he too retained his memories. When the world was sent back, he realized he had lost, and he needed to do things differently this time around. So, he had the Mirror of Shadows in his possession, and he used it. He knew Link would leave, if only to protect the Spiritual Stone, and he obviously knew of the Shadow Worlds. So, he traveled to the one where Link had made the choice to stay, that Link would be the most vunerable. And Ganondorf corrupted him, because Link himself had already started down the path by making the selfish choice. So, in that world, Link is corrupted, and in turn slowly corrupts those around him, like his Zelda. He also kills his worlds Ganondorf.
So, now we come to the present day some seven years later. Link is aboard, outside of Hyrule and hasn't returned in all those years. He doesn't want to face the memories, because at times they'll rise to the surface of his mind anyway, and he doesn't want to directly deal with them really. But, as we see, Ganondorf's new plan begins to take fruition. Events conspire to bring Link back, and when he does, everything spirals from there.
Now, the alternate world Link is just like our Link, but he is Dark Link. He changes his name because he hates everything our world Link represents, and probably secretly loathes himself for what he has allowed himself to become. Now, he looks exactly like our Link. It is only when, on top of that tower that that changes. The spell Agahnim performed cursed Azrael, that burning fire melted away skin and muscle and so forth. I see Azrael now as a combination of the Grim Reaper and Ghost Rider. He has truly become what he was personifying, the Angel of Death.
And another thing to keep in mind, is that Azrael does not serve the real world's Ganondorf. I hope I have conveyed that, but if I haven't, I apologize, because that is the case. Azrael barely tolerates him. He made a deal with Ganondorf way back seven years ago, and now, through some misguided and twisted sense of honor, he was going to keep it. But, Azrael would just as soon gut Ganondorf as look at him. And you'll see this come into play, because Azzy is no longer playing by anyone else's rules. He's pissed and he wants it to be his ballgame now.
And, while some things you may not understand right now, like Impa actually having a brother name Sheik, and Zelda having a twin brother, they all have a purpose which will come to light later.
And thank you Amberle for pointing out specifically the Link and Zelda relationship. Those are things I definitely try to work on. I don't want a contrived story, or the typical I hate you but love you thing. Or a completely mushy love story. I hope I've instilled that Link and Zelda have a connection, and a growing bond between them. They both love the other, and now both freely admit it. But, they are who they are, and they realize that. They know that ultimately, they must serve destinies needs, because that's why they were born. They'll do what they have to do, but they'll take every moment together they can get, because being with the other is exactly what they want.
And I hope I've given a good accounting of all the characters personalities so far. I don't want any of them to be two dimensional, including the villains. I don't want them to be just evil, I want there to be some subtext there, some reason. Because there's an old say that everyone is the hero of their own piece. And that's kinda true for these guys, they're the heroes of their own stories, at least in their own minds. And I will continue to develop personalities, to make everyone more layered, because really, that's a good story. I hope no one thinks this story is boring, because I have a lot of talking. I like action and battles, and I think I do at least a fairly decent job of writing it, but action doesn't make a story. It's the characters in it. And if you have lots of action but two dimensional characters, well, the story isn't going to be so hot.
And I try to write the characters as not being perfect. They all have their flaws, including Link. Perfect, virtuous characters are boring. And they're just not real. We all make mistakes, and so do my characters. Link may be powerful, he may be a great swordsman, but he's still human, well hylian.
Well, I hope that explains some things out for everyone. If anyone does have any further questions, just shoot me an email and I'll be happy to answer what I can.
Thanks again to all who read this story!
