Title Ideas: His Sword/Running In Blind/To Kill the Senses/Broken


The bloody rooms pass quickly as he covers his mouth and nose, trying not to breath. Carnage, carnage, carnage. Blood, blood, blood. It's ripe in the air, trying to draw him back. But he can't! Mustn't! He doesn't know how long it took him to stop. Too long. Far too long. The smell of rot had started to seep into the air when he came to his senses again. Hot, boiling flesh as the desert sun rose again.

Fresh air for the first time in what felt like an eternity. He takes out the slate and finds Zora's Domain. Now that he is out, he must get away. The teleport function is still terrifying, but if it kills him, he will deserve it. Enemy or not, their actions shouldn't have warranted being treated like animals to a slaughter.

As he presses the shrine and confirms, a sensation of flying has him recalling when the champion spirits warp him out of the divine beasts. He can't help but think of Mipha and how disappointed she must be.

The blue of teleporting gives way to the blue of Zora's Domain. He is almost disappointed at being alive.

He splashes into the water around the shrine, trying to rid himself of the evidence of his moment of weakness. Though, he can hardly remember how it started. A sword to the shoulder perhaps, but it feels like he will slowly recall the whole thing. He is trembling just thinking about it.

"Link?" He looks up at the prince's voice. No! Not him! Please! "What in Nayru's name?! Link?!"

The large Zora displaces the water enough in his panic that it hits Link's chin. "Link! Where are you hurt?!"

He shakes his head and moans. "No."

Sidon takes his face in his hands and Link has to look away in shame. "What do you mean no?"

"Not... mine..." He surges forward with a sob. "Bad, bad, bad, bad."

"Link, wha-" He is exhausted and before Sidon can speak more, his body collapses.


A soft familiar scent - Lavender? - is there as he wakes. Low lighting from the crystals hanging from the ceiling cast an overlaying of shadows about the room. The first thing he notices in the room is Prince Sidon resting in a large chair in a corner. He looks tired, bags under his eyes and all around lesser color. Link feels guilty. He stirs. Maybe...

Standing has his knees buckling for a moment. Surely he should be refreshed from his... meal. Why does he suddenly feel so weak? He rummages through his slate inventory until he finds it. A small box.

"Link?" A groggy prince's voice and then a moment later a much more awake, "What are you doing out of bed?"

He turns and finds Sidon already halfway to him. "Here." He shoves the box into the prince's big hands.

"What?" The Zora brings the box up to look at. "What is this for?"

"Gi-" He winces and coughs. Surely the prince knows a little sign language. -Got it in Gerudo Town for you.-

Sidon opens the box and his eyes widen as he flares out. It's almost enough to make Link laugh. Literally anything that can puff up does. His gills, arm fins, head fin, all of it. "O-Oh! Uh... This is-"

Blue tints his cheeks. "I know you may not have your memory, my friend, but this would be quite inappropriate if not from you for that reason. You see... Things such as these are a commonly used engagement gift."

Link can feel his ears lower, but Sidon places a hand on his head.

"I can assure you, this will be our little secret. But I will wear them proudly." He winks as he clips them in with just the hint of a wince. "For my intended, of course."

They share a short laugh at that.

"Now." The mood changes as Sidon gets down on his knees and then sits to match Link's height. "I know this was a wonderful distraction, but a distraction nonetheless. I won't beat around the bush, as you Hylians say. You've been asleep for a week, Link. And I expect an explanation."

His surprise at least lets Sidon know he hadn't intended to sleep that long. Patiently, Sidon waits for him to gather his words. When he did start, he had to finger spell a few things when Sidon didn't seem to understand the sign. -I went to G-E-R-U-D-O Town and spoke with the chief. She needs her heirloom, the Thunderhelm, to get me to N-A-B-O-R-I-S. The soldiers told me the Y-I-G-A have it.-

The prince's face went dark at the mention of the Yiga clan. "Dangerous people. They are vile and follow Calamity Ganon's rule. We have lost many over the years to them."

-Yeah. I was warned beforehand by all the soldiers. I found their hideout and went it. I had to sneak around to get to the helm. There was a sword master I failed to notice and he slashed me pretty good. I had already used Mipha to combat the heat, so I couldn't heal.- This next part was the bit he was worried about. As he began to sign, he recalled it all over again. The horror of what he had done, makes tears fall freely. -I remember the pain and the blind rage. He couldn't jump back before I was on him. I was clawing and biting and the man screamed. There was blood all over the place. Gods, there was nothing left of his face when another pulled me off. He wasn't breathing! He was dead and I loved it. I loved tearing him apart.-

He barely noticed his hands shaking as he signed faster. -The room was a panic as I went from one to the next slaughtering them. And I enjoyed it! I couldn't stop! I'm a monster! Worse than Ganon! I deserve nothing but pain and suffering and disgust and death!-

"Link!" He realized vaguely that Sidon had been shaking him. "Stop! Stop this! Don't beat yourself up over something you couldn't control! Please..."

The Zora pulled him close. "Please don't condemn yourself. Not when someone who cares for you is right in front of you."

With his hands trapped at his sides by the prince's arms, he was unable to argue. "B-But-" His voice was still gone, so he sank into the warm body of Sidon and cried.


"Care for company?" He looked up from polishing his shield to see Sidon apprehensively lingering in the doorway to the room he was given by Kodah what feels like so long ago.

-No.- He smiled as the Zora's face fell. -But you're the exception.-

The obvious 'happy to be special' smile lit up the prince's face as Sidon made his way over to sit on the bed. "I would expect as much since you are the Hylian that proposed to me not a day ago."

Link sputtered, but his throat tightened in pain and he quieted. -Not my fault you swept me off my feet day one.-

"As a prince should." Their eyes locked and Link was the one to look away with a chuckle. Sidon's soft voice barely carried to him. "How are you today?"

He shrugged.

"Link. Talk to me." Another shrug. "When you're ready then."

The prince was moving away, but Link didn't want him to leave. He reached and was met with the softer scales of Sidon's arm fin. -Don't go.-

Sidon stayed, eventually pulling him into an embrace. "I'll stay. For as long as you'll have me, I'll stay."


Time was passing and he knew he should go back to his mission, but he feared getting the helm. He couldn't go back. He couldn't. Not there. Not that place. Three lights. Need to be four. Need to move on. Can't. Won't.

"How are you today?" Link turned from the window at Sidon's voice.

"Tired." He could tell Sidon was happy to hear him, not speaking for close to a week.

"But talking. That's good." A tray was set on the table. "Come. Have some food with me."

He wanted to refuse. One of the things he learned since the incident was that his taste buds are gone. Nothing has flavor, but he refuses to let the Zora know. Sidon lifts the cover to reveal a savory soup of hearty bass and sneaky snails. "It smells lovely."

They eat in relative silence, only the occasional small talk.


The second time he teleported had been to run from a situation he wanted to avoid. Or... from Sidon. As he was the one causing said situation. It had been a month since his breakdown and the prince was determined to talk about it. Link was anything but ready.

When he touched down at the Lanayru Tower, he couldn't hear. At first, he thought it was the lightning strike just as he landed. That had happened before when he was too close. But... As he made his way into Zora's Domain, Sidon's concerned face the first he saw, he knew something wasn't right. Normally his hearing would be back by now. Maybe this wasn't something he could do alone. One look at Sidon's face, how heavy his breathing was, and he knew the prince was the wrong person. He needed Dorephan.

The king was surprised when Link went running into the throne room, signing that he needed a private moment with Dorephan. He gave one glance to Sidon, to his hurt expression and the sag of his fins as he walked away, before he began.

He told Dorephan of his journey and his cravings. The control he lost in one of the episodes of hunger and rage. The bloodlust. He remembered that awful day and went over it in deep detail. Then, he signed how he couldn't taste. How his hearing had gone. How Mipha's concerned voice wouldn't leave the back of his mind. What she said to him on Ruta and how that impacted him. He told Dorephan that even the Sheikah weren't sure how to fix him. And he was only getting worse. Worse, worse, worse.

He looked up through the tears, the Zora king's face one of concern but understanding. -Link, my boy. Do not let this consume your life. You are a strong man. I am sure you will figure out how to fix all of it. And, if you cannot, I will never abandon you.-

His nose was running, snot and tears soaking his shirt. -Sidon will not either. My son is absolutely smitten with you. Always has been, I think. Would have given my daughter hell over you.- They laugh and the massive Zora pulls Link close, his warm embrace calming.

The lack of fear and anxiety in the older man's arms has him thinking back. A sword... A sword that can seal darkness... His sword.

Link jumps back, his hands signing quickly. -My sword! It should be able to help me! It can cure this darkness Mipha was talking about!-

Dorephan looks overjoyed. -That's it, my boy! I knew you could think of a solution.-

He was already tapping the Woodland Tower, then tucked the slate away, quick to sign. -Will you tell Sidon that I am sorry for leaving without telling him, but I know he will want to go with me.-

The king's face began to fade away, but Link knew he understood even as he was unhappy about the sudden departure.

Blue turns to the black of night. He hadn't thought that through, but it will be fine. One step to the edge of the tower and he knows something is wrong. Normally, you can see the red beams to the castle at all hours of the day. He closes his eyes and opens them again. Nothing. Another step. Still nothing. Dread fills him. Of all the senses to lose now, it had to be sight. He feels the bile rising but wills it down. That won't help now.

Link touches his spiritual connection to Daruk, drawing up the shield even though he can't see it. 'Can you see for me, Daruk?'

'Sure can, buddy. Just keep the energy flowing.' He sighs in relief and jumps from the tower, paraglider unfolding.

The heat of the sludge he would rather not fall in rises up and when it gets to be almost too much, he calls upon Revali. 'There is a path in a wooded area up ahead. Land on it and go left.' The usual bite of the Rito's words is not there.

He touches down as softly as someone who can't see can. As instructed, he follows the path left. Lucky he has a sense of touch still and just takes his shoes off. Different ground and he moves back onto the road. It takes a bit before Urbosa speaks up. 'We can't help you in there. You will be on your own, but don't worry. The forest won't hurt you.'

Mipha gives him one last burst of healing magic, filling him with energy. 'Good luck!' The warmth of the champions is gone as he steps off the path, leaves crunching underfoot.

The wind is strange as it pushes against him as he walks along. It becomes too much to move against sometimes, so he turns around and walks the other way. This goes on for what seems to be days before he hears a voice.

Will you make it? Can you see the end? Do you have the strength of mind?

The world burst into light.

He is distantly aware of crying, but pushes the thought away in favor of seeing. Long vines, bright flowers, tall trees. He takes it all in. And the smell. The woodsy, earthy aroma of the deep woods. It's so familiar. A light melody weaves through the wind, carrying its cheerful notes along.

And then he sees it. The sword he once carried. She calls to him, so he goes to her.

Will you wield me again, Master? Can you pull me from this sacred stone? Do you have the strength of heart?

He grabs the handle and fatigue settles in his very soul, but he refuses to let go.

Will you fight evil? Can you defeat darkness? Do you have the strength of spirit?

His eyesight starts to go again, but he knows he will have it again when he has her. Sounds fades away, the melody gone. Still, he doesn't let go. The loss of the smell of familiarity has him biting his lip in agony. His will is like iron. His resolve like sacred steel. The sword is his only tether now. He can feel not the ground, the wind, the hard stone under his feet.

Draw me. Fight darkness. Heal corruption.

Finally, he raises the Master Sword to the sky. And he can see the colors of the world again. Feel, taste, and hear the breeze. The sun is warm, the flowers sweet. He pulls the sword close and sobs.

"Who is that...?" At the booming voice, Link looks around. "Did I doze off again? Hrm? Well, well... it's you. You finally decided to return. Better late than never. After 100 years, I'd nearly given up hope on seeing you again. Even my patience has limits, you know..."

He keeps looking around. "That look on your face, and your ignorance of me, tells me that you have no recollection of me. However. I have watched over Hyrule since time immemorial. Many have referred to me over the ages as the Deku Tree."

Tree... A face grimaces down at him. The voice is coming from a tree. A literal tree.

"That is the weapon created by the ancient Goddess. The sword that seals the darkness. It seems your mind, body, and soul are now ready to wield the Master Sword at its full potential. You could not even do such before your slumber. I wonder what has changed." A thundering laugh." You never fail to impress! I must say, its sacred glow suits you well."

"When used against Calamity Ganon or those tainted by his Malice, it will become suffused with holy light... At such times, the true power of the sword will manifest... It was your partner a century ago... use it with care... And wield it bravely for the one who waits for you..." If a tree could get a melancholy look, this one did. "After you were separated from the sword, the princess thought to bring it here, where she knew that it would be safe under my watch. She continues to fight, trapped deep within the confines of Hyrule Castle. Her heart cascades with faith that you will return. She has a smile like the sun... I would do much to feel its warmth upon me once again. As ever, I shall watch over your journey from here... The Princess... I am certain Hyrule's princess is pleased with your accomplishment as well...

"I won't let her down, this I swear." He went to walk away, but a korok ran up to him.

"The princess wanted Mister Hero to take this when he pulled the pretty sword!" It squealed as he picked up the sheath from its small wooden hands.

"Thank you." The foliage around him erupted into all sorts of, hopefully happy, sounds as he smiled.


White hot pain burned his fingertips and toes as he landed at the shrine outside Gerudo Town. But why? Did the sword cleanse the darkness? Or maybe teleporting is the issue. A lizard was sunning itself close to his feet, his quiet appearance having not startled it. So, he scooped it up and held the creature in his hand as he took out the slate. Without a free hand, he pressed a symbol with his nose without looking. It wasn't until he was gazing at an angry prince that he came to the conclusion that he should have looked.

"You have some explaining to do, friend." The contempt in 'friend' had chills running up his spine.

"I-" He gulped and held up the now dead lizard, his theory confirmed. "I can explain."