Chapter 21: The Return of a Legend

My dream that night was more along the lines of a memory as I sat on horseback in my royal guard uniform, staring at the blade embedded into the ground. Who would put a sword here in the woods, and why did it look so… familiar? I had showed it to my captain who told me that it was "The Sword That Seals The Darkness" meant to be wielded by a chosen hero. But for some reason I couldn't take my eyes off it as the conversations around me were all but not heard.

"I'm going to take a closer look!" I announced.

I slid off the back of my horse and walked up to the sword. After looking at the blade up close for a few more seconds, after a moment of staring at it, the things that happened next were almost entirely on an instinct I was unaware of. I took the sword and pulled with all my strength. Unlike what happened in the original memory, it came out with minimal effort. With that, I was my current age in a familiar Green Tunic. Everyone who was originally there was now gone, and The Master Sword had its familiar blue glow. I looked around while the sounds of the Lost Woods filled my ears. I held The Master Sword in front of me observing it.

"Thinking about the old days, Link?"

I turned to see it was The Hero of Twilight in his Hylian form.

"I don't blame you, no Hero's life is ever the same after that sword is drawn from its resting place."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

I gave the sword a few practice swings, then spun it in my hand and sheathed it on my back.

"So, are you finally ready to teach me the final secret technique?" I said.

He shrugged.

"Been ready this whole time. The question is," he said as he drew his sword and shield, "Are you ready to learn?"

I readied my own sword and shield.

"Let's find out."

Our spar was strong and skilled, with both members fighting with remarkable balance and technique. What shocked me the most is the contrast from the first time I fought him. Even without his secret techniques, he beat me pretty quickly, but now, we were pretty much even, with sometimes us matching each other's moves in perfect sync. After 5 minutes of complete stalemate sparring, we both stopped, panting heavily.

"You've certainly improved."

"Thank you."

"I think you are ready. The last technique is known as the great spin! To perform it, focus energy into your sword blade when your life energy is full. When you have focused enough, release it in a spin attack."

I did so and was shocked with the results. As I spun, a wave of energy surged from my sword in a ring around me. In curiosity, I charged the sword in similar manner and flung the energy in a ring toward a target making a throwing motion with the master sword. I was awestruck as I flung another ring of energy.

"While Ganon's minions may have an imitation but this Sword beam is only able to be used by those of our bloodline when our life energy is at its maximum. But be careful, using this technique does drain the Sword's energy. Congratulations, as of this moment, your further training is complete. You are ready to face Ganon again. Remember to believe in your strengths and that a sword holds no power unless the hand that holds it has courage. Until we meet again, Link."

He turned back into a wolf.

"Hero of the Wild and of Hyrule."

The vision faded to white.

I awoke to the light of dawn with no pain. I sat up and looked to see an empty bottle on its side at the side of my bed. Upon closer inspection, I noticed fairy dust near the bottle, making it evident how exactly I was healed so fast. Pawprints on the ground led their way to 4 treasure chests. I smiled; my old friend had left me some parting gifts. I opened the first 3 to find the 3 parts of my tunic, mended seamlessly and washed of all the blood and dirt that they had accumulated during my adventure that culminated in the fight for the Yiga Clan hideout. I donned the green fabric with smile, adjusting the clothes that had quickly become one of my favorites to wear. The next chest held a pristine custom Falcon bow that boasted a greater fire speed. The contents of the last chest were the biggest shock, although my old shield didn't seem to be close to breaking, inside this chest was a brand new Hylian shield. After a moment of awe, I slung it on my back with the rest of my weapons as I stood up. I felt like a hero again… almost. There was only one thing missing. It was then I heard The Master Sword chime. Looking around, it was nowhere in the room, yet I heard it, it was calling for me. It chimed again as I went down the stairs. Impa saw me as I entered.

"Should you be on your feet?"

I smiled.

"I feel a lot better Impa, I would almost say at full strength." I said flexing my wings in a somewhat playful manner.

I heard The Master Sword chime again.

"Do you know where The Master Sword is?"

Impa looked up.

"I must admit, Link I am shocked and pleased to hear you speak."

"I figured it was time the Hero of the Wild had a voice. Now can you answer my question?"

She chuckled

"What makes you think I have it?"

"I can hear it, the voice inside the sword."

Her eyes widened a little.

"You can?"

I nodded.

"It used to be that I had to listen hard in order to do so, but now I can hear it as clear as a bell."

"Fascinating, why don't you find it yourself then? It is in this room, but I want to see if you really can hear the voice for myself."

Typical, the Sheikah tended to be a very curious and scientific people. Following the feelings associated with subsequent chimes, I located the chest that held The Master Sword and opened it with a smile. I put it on my back again and stood to my full height. Suddenly, I heard it chime again, it seemed a bit more urgent this time as its voice became clear.

"Master, I detect that Yiga have entered the village, they appear to be on our way here."

The sword went silent as my face bent into a scowl of concentration. I started to make my way toward the entrance.

"Is something wrong?" Impa asked.

"We have guests, and they're not invited."

I pushed open the door, sunlight flooding in and revealing Revali and Paya running toward the building, Revali's bow was in his hand as he looked behind them for pursuers. I flew outside and above them landing behind 2 Yiga shortly after they materialized in front of Revali and Paya causing both of the assassins to spin and face me. One was holding a bow, the other the Yiga's trademark scythe. Revali took the opportunity to take a shot from behind them, striking the archer in the back of the head. Using this distraction, I drew my sword and shield and hit them both a couple of time before they vanished. Revali had an arrow drawn as he looked around wildly, I meanwhile looked around calmly for when they would re-emerge.

"Link! What are you doing here?! You should be resting!"

"No time to explain."

As soon as he saw the archer and assassin appear, Revali let loose the arrow toward the archer who sidestepped in a dodge and readied his own arrow. I stepped in front of Revali reflecting the arrow with a shield strike before following up with a lethal arrow shot of my own. I ducked underneath the assassin's first blow before blocking his next with my own blade. I rolled behind him and struck him in the back, knocking him down and finishing them off with a finishing blow. I dodged another arrow as a third and fourth Yiga appeared as I hit the lst archer in the face with a bomb arrow, resulting in his defeat while Revali engaged the 4th, blade out. The 3rd assassin was easy enough, after dodging his blow, I hit him with a flurry rush and another ending blow. After they fell, I looked around panting, and ready to face another threat. Satisfied, I spun around and sheathed my sword.

"You could have been killed! What were you thinking!?" Revali shouted.

"Revali," I pierced him with a gaze of absolute sincerity and seriousness, "I'm fine."

He grumbled and shook his head.

"If you say so, its your funeral. So, assuming you really are telling the truth, where do you think we should go to next?"

"I would think the Shrine of Resurrection. We have to reunite with the Princess before the three of us go to Hyrule Castle."

"Why am I not surprised? In that case I hope you know the way, because at this moment the sheikah slate is…"

Then he noticed a small shocking detail about what I said causing him to jump.

"Wait, the three of us!?"

"The Three of you?" Paya was equally shocked

I turned to Revali first about why I used that exact wording.

"Revali, you hold a piece of the Triforce and are one of the Last 2 remaining Champions. At this point, it would be extremely foolish to ask you to simply relax back in Rito Village or fire a single shot from your divine beast. You wanted to be a hero? To help slay Ganon once and for all? Congratulations, you've been promoted."

I turned to Paya,

"At this point, I can't do it without him or the Princess. Now I'm starting to understand what my Captain meant when he said, "It was Dangerous to go Alone". This is our quest as the holders of the Sacred golden Triforce. As for you, I recommend you go to your Grandma, tell her you're safe. And Revali and I will continue to protect Hyrule."

I motioned to Revali that it was time for us to leave, he didn't move. He was looking out into the distance, the same direction of Hyrule Castle, I saw worry and fear on his face as he realized what would possibly be demanded of him. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll be right beside you, and so will Zelda. That's what families do."

I took into the air with his gale and then hovered.

"Come on, we're losing daylight. And Ganon isn't here… yet."

He somewhat hesitantly followed suit and we both flew towards the shrine of resurrection, no words were said, but each of us knew what lay on the horizon. I was ready, I hoped he was too. For that matter, I hoped Zelda was as well.