Chapter Eighteen

Even when evening came around, and everyone in Hyrule was settling in to ready themselves for bed, there was still turmoil in Link's mind after all he had learned about himself. He was the chosen hero, not because of some grand deed, but because of something else he couldn't comprehend. He knew he wanted to help people, that he wanted to be there for others when no one else could help them. He would always be there for his family if they needed him, even if his father would not appreciate it. He was there for Zelda on multiple occasions, and he would happily die for those who were in trouble. He proved that the day his sister and Zelda were cornered by that Lynel. Link knew he wanted to help.

What he didn't know, was why.

He watched from afar as a few of the Hylian kids started roughhousing with each other, Wind and Cap giggling as they rolled around in the dirt. There were a few Link was unsure of in age, assuming the eldest of the younger ones was maybe fourteen, but most here were either his age or just a tad older. Twilight was maybe twenty-one as far as he could tell, but the rest he simply guessed.

Link leaned back on his palms, eyes trying to meet with the sky now. The leaves of the trees blocked out most of the sky but there were traces of sunlight beaming through just enough to find his face. He wasn't sure how long he had been here now, though he assumed it was only a few days at most. Then again, time seemed to lose its place here. One hour could feel like one day, and a week could feel like a moment. Link wasn't sure about the exact time anymore.

But then, he wasn't sure about anything anymore.

Amongst the laughter and a few barks from Twilight while he stayed in wolf form, Link's eyes caught sight of the Deku Tree moving a little bit. As if it were breathing.

A sudden memory flashed behind his eyes, another one he did not recognize, and the tree shrivelled before him in death. This memory saddened Link, but he still did not know what it meant.

Link stood onto the branch from his seat, taking a moment to balance himself, before heading up the root and towards the step where Twilight first took him to speak with the tree. He wasn't sure if the great being would be able to answer any of his questions, but he needed to speak with someone about what he was feeling. Someone who wasn't Twilight, even though the man offered some ingots of wisdom himself.

He found his way to the pedestal, kneeling down in front of the Great Tree with a sigh. He said nothing at first, unsure about how to even speak with a tree, though he felt a bit better when out of sight from the others down below.

He felt the stump beneath him shudder a little. "My, but isn't that a morose face."

Link's eyes found the Deku Tree's face, the bark grinding against itself as its mouth moved in thought.

The tree took a breath. "You are confused, Wild. Speak your mind, and perhaps I can help."

There was a moment of silence as Link tried to think of a way to say what was bothering him without it sounding unclear.

He held up his hands. "I have memories that are not my own. Memories of creatures I did not fight, but have won against. Memories of people I have not met but I love dearly. And I have memories of unknown people dying in front of me, yet I cry every time I see them. I see so many things that I do not know, but I can't help but feel like I'm one with them. It troubles me."

"Hmm, I see. Is there much else?"

Link took another moment to think, hands coming up once more.

"Sometimes… I hear a voice. It's like it calls me, but I don't recognize who it is. It feels… …mechanical? Like one of the guardians is speaking to me. That must sound odd to you."

"None, dear Wild. In fact, all you hear is natural for one in your shoes."

"It is?"

The tree let out a hum in acknowledgement. "You are simply gifted with the thoughts and emotions of times past. It is a record of your destiny, and a reminder of who you are."

"I'm not so sure that is correct, Great Deku Tree."

"Oh? And why is that?"

Link looked below him, finding a few of the kids chasing one of the Koroks while it rode upon its leaf. "These people were once heroes as well, yes? They all drew the sword, they all stepped into battle when it was asked of them. They know who they are and what they're willing to go through. I'm not one of them."

The tree let out a low chuckle, grabbing Link's attention once more. "And who asked you to be one of them?"

"W-Well… aren't I supposed to be- -?"

"You are no more someone else than they are, Wild. You are a hero, chosen not because you are them, but because you are you. Tell me, what makes them more worthy of the blade than you?"

"I believe they all fought for Hyrule. Much more than I ever have."

"Yet they fail to mention their extra quests when in their downtime." The tree chuckled out. "Take Time, for example. He was to save Hyrule from an overbearing force of nature, head held high and ready to strike, but was once too preoccupied with gathering Cuckoos for a pretty face to be bothered with the kingdom."

Link cocked an eyebrow at the tree, feeling a grin come to him.

"R-Really? That doesn't sound like him."

The tree chuckled again, this time a little more powerful. "I won't even mention his quest concerning a certain 'running man' he despises so much. I believe Wind also went on a bit of a quest to find some trinkets in order to gift them for someone, and Twilight had his own distractions during his time. I believe he still has his stamp collection. I won't even attempt to go into Sky's adventures, the poor lad."

Link held a hand over his mouth, trying to stop the laughter from coming forth. He hadn't been told any of this while he was here, unsure any one of the previous heroes wanted this to be what they were remembered for.

The deku tree seemed to smile back at Link. "Wild, you are who you were meant to be. You need only but to find that truth yourself. No one can be compared to another, and you waste valuable time in your life wishing you were different. Tell me, young one, what you enjoy most about yourself. Tell me something you are proud of in yourself."

It took Link a little longer than he expected to find something, but he smiled brightly when he thought of one thing he was most proud of in himself. It was small, and anyone could do it, but he enjoyed it when he had the time to do it.

"I can cook. Actually, I LOVE to cook! I like finding new recipes and being able to make them for my family. My sister sometimes says I'm better than our mother when it comes to cooking. So, I really like it."

The tree gurgled in laughter. "That is indeed a talent, Wild. And it is one I'm sure grants you much happiness."

Even as he said this, Link's face fell at the thought. "Still, it doesn't help much when it comes to Calamity."

"No? I would think anything that makes you happy would help against the Calamity."

"What do you mean?"

The tree's trunk groaned when it settled into place, a few leaves rustling back at the two of them. "To love anything, be it someone or something, should be enough to push anyone into fighting for what they love so much. If you love nothing, you don't fight for anything. Not even yourself. You begin to wilt away when the love you have is gone. The world we live in has enough hatred and malice, and so any kind of love should be looked upon with favour."

The tree settled in a bit more, a small smile coming to his lips. "Wild, you have memories that you do not recognize, yet you feel something inside yourself when they arise. You feel emotion where you believe you shouldn't. Anger, fear, happiness, love, it is all there. It is guiding you. You need only to watch them, and read them. They will tell you what you need to know."

"But why do I have them? I still don't understand."

"They are there because they are part of you. They are your memories, whether you recognize them or not. The people you see, the emotions you feel, they were once part of you. In every line, in every instance, and in every awakening, they are you. You are a hero, and so you have a hero's memories."

"That doesn't make sense."

"It will in time. For now, you must think of your answer."

"My answer?"

"To a question that each hero must think of in their time as one. To anyone who fights against the malice that is Ganon and his followers. This question has been silently passed on from generation to another, and each come to the same answer in their own time."

Link sunk a little in his seat, remembering the words Twilight had asked him.

"Who do I fight for."

"Not just who… but what."

The tree leaned in towards Link, the leaves rustling once again. "What do you fight for, young Wild."

The tree fell into silence now as it leaned back into its resting space, not a word more to be spoken.

Link did not move from his seat when all went quiet. The words from the Great Deku tree were loud enough in his mind to keep him there. What did he fight for? That was just as confusing as who he was fighting for. Wasn't that obvious to answer? He fought for his family and Hyrule, for the people he cared for. But, if that was the case, why was he still stuck here?

Link leaned back in his seat, eyes trying to find the sky again.

Another memory flashed through his mind, a world bright and colourful atop the clouds beckoning to him. He saw large birds with knights on their backs, their own feathers as colourful as the world around them, and a red bird standing beside him. For a moment he thought to will this all away, but remembered what the Deku Tree had told him and lingered on the memory a bit longer. He soon felt warmth in the presence of this memory, feeling safe in this world he didn't know much of, and a smile crept up to his lips.

When that memory was gone, Link did not feel aggravated with it like he had before with others. He felt… content. Not whole, but felt a piece of him had come back after a long time of waiting.

For the first time since these memories started plaguing him, Link could not wait for the next to come.