"Open your eyes…"

"Wake up, Link."

He awoke with a start. In the few days that have passed after the defeat of Calamity Ganon and the death of Princess Zelda he has been waking up to her voice every morning, just like that fateful day in which he awoke from his century long slumber with no memory of who he was before.

He got up from his bed in Kakariko Village's inn, got dressed and went straight for Impa's residence. When he arrived there he was greeted by Cado and Dorian who, like always, were standing guard outside Impa's house.

"Ah, good morning Master Link." Said Cado, to which Link only nodded as he went into Impa's house.

When he entered he found Paya discussing something right next to Impa, but the moment Link entered the house they both stopped whatever it was that they were talking about.

"What brings you here at this time of the morning, dear child." remarked Impa as she took a sip of her tea.

"I need to tell you something." Link's tone of voice betrayed no emotion. "I have been thinking...for the past few days. And I am leaving Hyrule."

Impa looked utterly shocked by the declaration, while Paya's face became as white as a piece of paper. "And why is it that you came to this decision?" said the older woman, trying to suppress the trembling in her voice, Paya's face becoming whiter by the second.

"I...I still don't remember most of what happened one hundred years ago. And the truth is, I do not want to remember. There are so many memories of people I used to call friends hidden in these lands, and I feel like remembering will only bring more pain. With the Princess gone, I...I don't feel like I belong here anymore. Hyrule managed to move on after the Great Calamity, it will be able to move on from its defeat, without me."

And for the first time in the days since Link came back to Kakariko Village after the Calamity's defeat and the princess's passing, Impa could sense emotion in his voice, she could hear how lost and broken he felt.

"And where is it that you plan on going, then?" Impa's sorrow was evident from her expression.

"I read from a book in the Royal Library of a continent a few weeks sail to the east of Hyrule. I'm going to Lurelin Village, get a boat and sail from there."

"Very well, it looks like your mind's made up, child. I fear that trying to stop you won't be of any good." said Impa, releasing a heavy sigh.

Meanwhile, Paya hadn't uttered a single word, but one look at her deathly pale face was enough to know her inner thoughts. Deep down, Link could not help feeling guilty at the sight of her.

Perhaps he could not bear to continue looking at the poor girl, Link stood up to make his exit. However, right as he was about to open the door, Paya called out to him, and just as he turned around he felt her body crash into him and embraced him, sobbing like a newborn child. The guilt Link felt made him gently put his arm around the sobbing girl, and so he let her cry her heart out. Although Link pretended not to notice, he knew full well of Paya's feelings for him.

After a while, Paya finally stopped crying. "Ma...Master Link...I...I will miss you." she said, her voice trembling.

"So will I, Paya." He said with a look of guilt in his eyes, after which he gently separated himself from her and proceeded to leave the house without looking back.

After which, he headed to Zora's domain to bid farewell to Sidon and the rest of the Zora people.

In the audience chamber, King Dorephan released a heavy sigh, he knew that Princess Zelda's passing had greatly affected the young-not-so-young swordsman. But he hadn't imagined that the boy would decide to leave Hyrule out of fear of remembering his past.

"Very well," said the Zora King. "If that is what you wish to do, I will support you, but know that you will forever be welcomed here in Zora's Domain."

To the side, Sidon could barely take hold of his emotions in check, but he could only sympathize with his friend's feelings.

"My best friend Link, I will truly miss you. After you finish your journey, or grow tired of wandering, remember to come home, back to Hyrule." The Zora Prince could barely keep his tears from falling.

After bidding goodbye to the Zora, he travelled to each of the settlements for the different races in Hyrule. Saying his farewells to all the people he met during his travels after he woke up, with not a single memory to his name.

Afterwards, he headed back to Kakariko Village to finish preparing for the journey. And, roughly two weeks later, he set off from Lurelin Village to the land known as Fodlan.

Hey there, Tate here.

First things first. This is my first time ever writing a story so any constructive criticism or any review is vastly appreciated.

Now, I would actually like to thank my peeps from the Edelgang discord, they have read my story and provided a lot of valuable feedback for it, especially my buddy Telsiree_Cousland who gave me so many ideas for this fic.

Now that that's out of the way, I hope you enjoy this fic :).