"Remember about our little secret, okay?"
That was what Freyja told him before he woke.
The secret being that I still can't tell anyone about her, or my ability to return by death.
The first thing he did was bring his hand over his eyes, tried blinking, then looked around to gauge his surroundings.
So, it's true.
Nothingness, a void in space, complete darkness...
To have something that you're used to having everyday suddenly get taken away... I can already...
He could already feel the tears of despair taking over. He didn't make a peep, not a single sound. Link was now facing the harsh reality of no longer being able to see. A reality that even the strongest of people were known to break to.
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A few dozen minutes passed...
Link had his moment of grief about the situation he was in. While he didn't know how he was going to move forward from here, the one thing he knew he had to do was just that, move forward, somehow.
"Linky! You're awake!" yelled a voice from across the room.
Purah?
He followed her approaching footsteps, and tilted his head to where he thought she would be.
"I see you're already becoming acclimated to your situation."
"I don't have a choice."
He could hear her scribbling in her notebook, murmuring as she wrote.
"I take it you noticed something different about your arm?" she asked.
"My arm?"
That's right! It was-
He grabbed his arm. Wait... he grabbed his arm?
"W-What is this? I thought it was-"
"Oh, it was. Trust me, this isn't the arm you've come to know and love. No, this is the arm that Robbie and I made for you!" she cheered.
He moved it around, flexed his fingers, rotated his wrist...
"It's... different."
"Well of course it's different! It's not the same arm, Linky!"
If his eyes could function, he'd be rolling them right now.
"Let me give you the rundown of your new arm. It's comprised of ancient technology, and it's linked to you just like your old arm. However, the sensations will be different since it's not flesh and bone. The material is nearly indestructible, so there wouldn't be necessarily a repeat case of what happened either; just to note.
"Now, moving on to how to maintain it. All you need to do is supply it nutrients through your body. Otherwise, it won't function properly. Side effects would include; stiffness, cease of movement in some cases, numbness, severe pain, and nausea... As far as I can tell..." her voice trailed off on that last bit.
He looked slightly concerned, "How often do I need to 'supply nutrients,' so none of that happens?"
"Lucky for you, it's kinda like the Master Cycle, but through... you... and not- Anyways, you just need to eat at least once a day, and considering how much you eat I don't see there ever being a problem."
"That's it?"
"Yup! How awesome is that?"
Link breathed a sigh of relief that maintaining his newly acquired arm would be low maintenance.
"And, it's just like my real arm?"
"As real as it can be. It'll always be a prosthetic made from ancient technology."
He reached out to her with his prosthetic hand, fumbling around in the air until she grabbed it for him.
"It'll take some time to get used to, but thank you. For giving me something back."
"We may not have been able to fix everything, but we did the best we could. We're currently working on a solution to fix your eyes, but until then..."
He could feel her wrap something around his head.
"Use this to cover your eyes, it'll help protect them..."
It was a cloth, a soft one at that judging by the texture. Just from feel, he could tell that there was some design in the threading, but he wasn't able to make it out.
"The princess made that for you while you were sleeping."
For some reason just hearing her name sent a pang of... something through him.
"That's... thoughtful of her," he muttered.
"She's been worried sick about you, you know. Linky, you have a terrible habit of making beautiful women worried."
He figured that she was trying to goad something out of him, so he chose not to respond.
"Moving on! What are your plans now?"
He moved to an upright position on the table, "I don't know. It's not like I can go back home now, can I?"
"Actually, we have something planned for that."
"Oh?"
"That's something you should talk to the princess about. But to the real question, what about your quest with her to unite the provinces?"
"What about it?"
"Surely you don't intend on giving up-"
"Of course I do."
"What? Why?"
The fact that she seemed surprised by his answer only annoyed him, "How can I be of any help to her? My whole role in that was to be an escort, there's no way I can do that anymore."
"You were more than that, Linky!"
"No, I wasn't... Like I said, I can't do that anymore. There's no point in me going with her."
"You'd rather her go by herself? You know of the dangers the wild possess, you know she has no combat experience, how do-"
Link was swift to cut her off once again, "For a genius, sometimes you really do act how you look."
She bit her cheek, "What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Listen Purah, I'm blind. I cannot see. I am at a severe disadvantage here. You can't tell me that it wouldn't be foolish to go with her, even you must know of the lack of wisdom your statement possesses."
Pulling out a cloth, she quickly wiped off her glasses before clearing her throat, "If there was one thing that you didn't lose, it was your level of perceptiveness. It's true, it isn't a good idea. However, the princess would disagree."
"And, she would be wrong. She's blinded by her feelings towards me, and won't look at this rationally no matter how sound the argument it is. She's always been a stubborn girl."
"That much we can agree on. Alright Linky, I'll ask again. What do you plan to do?"
"I need to get stronger, faster, and better at using my other senses. From there, I'll have my own war to fight."
"What of the princess?"
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He said those things, and honestly, they couldn't have reigned more true. While it was something that he didn't want to accept, the realm of possibilities wouldn't allow for it. His role in this quest was over, and the sooner he moved on from that the better.
I'm not the same as I once was. This is for the best.
Purah had run off to her own room to study more on how to fix his eyes. Symin helped Link get dressed, then guided him to a chair outside where he could get some fresh air while he cleaned up. This gave an opportunity for Zelda to approach, who had missed the entire conversation inside from helping Purah with her research.
If I had known Link was awake, I would've come to see him sooner. Hopefully he's doing okay. I can only imagine how hard this must be for him. I'll do whatever I can to help him.
With that in mind, she quickly made her way down the stairs. However, when she seen that cloth wrapped around his head, it became hard to look at him due to the overwhelming guilt she felt.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"You knew it was me?" she asked, taken aback by his cold tone.
"Your footsteps sound different than the other two, and seeing as how there are only four of us here, it was the most logical assumption to make."
"Ah... figures..." she replied, now beginning to feel a awkward tension swarm around them.
"What did you want?" he asked again.
"I just wanted to see you. Is that wrong?"
He sighed, "No, it isn't. I thought you had things to discuss I guess."
Her heart reached out to him, "There is, but I-I just wanted to check on you. How are you feeling?"
"What do you think?"
The reply sent shivers down her spine.
"Sorry..." she muttered.
"Why are you sorry?"
"For what happened. I'm sorry about what happened to you."
"Are you really?"
"Wha-"
He tilted his head towards her, and the intimidating aura he suddenly possessed caused her lip to quiver as she tilted her head down.
"You left the Shrine, even after I told you not to come out no matter what. You disobeyed me, why is that?"
"I... I..." she didn't have any solid excuse, she still didn't fully understand why she left either.
Link rose from his spot, and started slowly walking towards her.
"Could it be you that don't trust me?"
"What?! Don't be-"
He was quick to cut her off as he continued to approach her, "Did you think I wasn't strong enough to save the village?"
She stumbled and fell on her behind, then started shifting back with every step he took towards her, "Link, please! I-"
"Do you think I'm not a capable warrior after all? Have you doubted me all this time?"
"O-Of course not! How could you-"
"Then what was it?! Why did you leave the Shrine you stupid girl! If you only had stayed, if only you had listened for once, once! None of this would've ever happened!"
He came to a halt, now unsure of his surroundings, and not wanting to venture too far that could lead him to getting lost or falling off the cliff.
Zelda couldn't say anything, the state of shock hadn't worn off yet. Link was scaring her right now, she didn't know what to do. It felt like she was in a minefield, and whatever move she'd make would set off Link's anger. There was no right move.
She couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and the slight sniffle she made didn't go unnoticed.
"Just... leave me alone," he muttered before stumbling back to his chair.
Zelda did just that, unable to keep her own emotions in check any longer, she scurried away.
Why did I assume things would go just fine? Of course Link is mad at me, it's my fault for how things turned out in the first place!
She found a spot to be alone with her thoughts on the other side of the lab; seeing as how there wasn't really anywhere else for her to go, and dealing with Purah right now was something she couldn't handle right now.
I know Purah said to just talk to him, but now can I talk to him when I can't even bear to look at him?
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Days went by where Link and Zelda didn't say a word to one another. Link would continue to sit outside in the same spot, letting his mind dwell in the realm of possibilities. Zelda would try to approach sometimes, but each time he raised his head in her direction at the sound of her footsteps, she'd turn the other way.
In the end, she still couldn't bring herself to face him.
The Lynel's words rang loud in her mind as she went back to the spot she always went to.
"I think I'll keep you alive. It would be much more entertaining knowing that the guilt of what you've done is eating away at you...
"I wonder how long you will last until you lose your mind. How long do you think it will be until you can no longer look at him? How long can you remain at his side until the guilt drives you away? Yes... this is what we'll do."
She huddled her knees to her chest.
At this rate, I really will lose him.
She knew that, and yet...
And yet...
And yet... the waves of despair were still gradually whisking her further away...
Curses... how do I fix this?
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It had now been a few weeks since he woke. Link was now at the point of training his body to learn how to fight without sight. The days that went by leading up this point, Link had been honing his senses. With that done, he was comfortable with moving onto the next stage.
Holding the Master Sword was awkward at first; considering the new arm, but he was quickly able to adapt to the feel of it. He had also asked Symin to set up some training dummies for him to work on when they couldn't spar.
Things were going pretty well as the following weeks went by. Link was successful in enhancing his senses even further. He now able to tell where a weapon was coming from, simply by the change in wind pattern in relation to the object. Furthermore, by using subtle audio cues, smell, and his 6th sense, he was also able to pinpoint exactly where someone was; which allowed the aforementioned to synergies well together. And as time progressed, his movements became more fluid, his cuts became cleaner, and his reaction time became faster.
Still, even with all of these skills working in tandem with one another, Link knew that he could never live up to his old title anymore, but he was fine with that.
He was done trying to be something he wasn't.
He knew that from the moment he lost to that Gold Lynel, things were never going to be the same anymore, nor be anything short of difficult. But, considering what he's gone through so far, he knew that with enough work he could overcome his own obstacles, and become something new.
Something different.
No longer was he the, Hero of Time. No longer was he the light that shined upon Hyrule. No longer was he a Champion.
He was just...
Link...
No greater purpose to serve, no fated encounter to overcome, and no one to answer to.
From here on out, he was a nomad, a wayfarer. He would do what's best for him.
And after having a considerable amount of time to lull things over...
"You called?"
"Yeah... It's about your offer..."
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Weeks had passed, and Zelda was nowhere closer to patching things up with Link than she was when he lost it on her. In fact, they hadn't even spoken a word to each other since then.
Purah had suggested that the two of them go out together to conduct some research to take her mind off things, just like old times. They ended up doing this quite a few times. However, while she enjoyed the distraction, she was immediately reminded of what was bothering her as soon they got back. To the extent where the research trips weren't helping her anymore.
I know I shouldn't be taking these trips, but instead, thinking of a way to work things out with Link, but I... I can't bring myself to talk to him. Every time I see him, I'm reminded of that moment and freeze.
As the weeks progressed, Zelda could only watch Link from afar as he trained diligently. It truly was incredible to watch, and it reminded her of the days when she used to watch him back at the castle. However, the small flicker of happiness that it brought would always fade shortly after. Replaced by guilt, shame, and other dark thoughts.
Things can't go on like this... I have to do something... I have to set things right...
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Then, on one particular day...
Something feels different with Link today. I can't quite explain it, but he's not the same as he has been.
Considering all the days of feeling down, she took this change as a sign of good faith.
Today's the day. Today will be the day I talk to Link. We'll sit down together, and we'll talk everything out. We'll learn and move past this, and become stronger as a couple. I'm sure of it.
Coming down the stairs clutching to little confidence she mustered, she came to a stop when she could hear voices down by the entrance to the lab.
What's going on? A visitor perhaps?
She decided to easvesdrop.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Purah.
"This is something I must do," replied Link.
Link and Purah?
"Well, as much as I'm against the idea. There's no talking you out of it, is there?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Then, I hope you find what you're looking for. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
"Of course. I appreciate what you guys have done for me..."
They're almost making it sound like... T-There's no way that's true, right?
Yet, the longer her mind lingered in the realm of possibilities...
No, no, no. There's no way this could be happening. He loves me, and I love him. We promised... It's not in his nature to do that! Link would never do that!
However, the tears that trickled down her cheeks, and from what the realm of possibilities showed her...
"Well, before you-"
Purah was cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps.
It was then that Zelda spoke her first words to Link in a little over two months," W-What's going on, Link? Tell me-"
Him putting his hand on her shoulder stopped her mid-sentence, and her eyes grew wide when he uttered those three words. Three words that she could never forget.
"I'm leaving you..."