A/N: Well guys it's finally here. I apologize for the painfully slow update, but work has been eating away at my free time. Lots of late days, and fatigue where I just didn't have the motivation to write. And what little free time I did have, most of it wasn't dedicated to writing.
However, it's finally here. The finale. It's been a journey, a year and a half give or take when you think back to when I started the first story. We've had some ups, downs... but we all made it to the finish line.
Enjoy.
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"Two weeks?!" cried Zelda.
Sidon nodded, "Unfortunately, it'll take a little time for everyone to get here."
Link...
She had been checking on him periodically throughout the day, and it was clear that things were getting worse. At the rate the Darkness was consuming him, she wasn't sure if he had two weeks.
The potential consequences of changing the balance of nature itself... Even if nothing were to happen immediately, what about future generations? Going against the flow of nature has never been done successfully. In the end, we all continue to get swept away by its powerful current. However, if someone or something were to ascertain a way to actually go against it...
Even with all her awakened memories and knowledge from the goddess Hylia, there was no definitive answer.
How ironic...
She thought to herself as she looked out into the setting sun.
Now, of all times I'm forced to wait...
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A week passed...
"You're progressing smoothly. It shouldn't be much longer now until you can proficiently use all of the abilities I've showed you so far."
"I see..." replied Link.
"You can at least muster up a better response than that."
"Praise is meaningless. I haven't accomplished anything yet."
Freyja sighed, "Geez, you're so serious all the time. Relax."
...
She huffed, "Fine, let's continue on. There are still a few things for you to do before you can face him again."
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A whole week has passed... Link's Light is rapidly fading away. Isn't there something I can do to help him? At this rate...
"Princess?" called a voice from behind.
"Oh, sorry if I'm in the way," she said while subconsciously moving away from the doorway.
The Zora waved her off, "Not at all. You just seemed to be lost in thought is all. Is everything all right?"
She smiled when she realized who it was, "I'm grateful for your concern, Sidon. I'm fine, just gathering my thoughts. And haven't I told you to drop the formalities?"
"My apologies, force of habit."
Before the silence could linger longer than needed, Sidon asked, "How is he?"
The way her posture subtly shifted was enough of an answer for him.
"I see... I may be overstepping my bounds when I say this, but I think you need to focus on the task at hand."
She tilted her head, he had her attention.
"Right now, your task is uniting the provinces. We need you at your best in order to make this summit a success. Worrying about Link isn't going to help either of you. You need to trust him to hold out without you, just as he trusts you to see this task through without him."
She clenched her fists. Not because she was angry at Sidon, but frustrated that he was absolutely right.
"I know those aren't the words you want to hear... I wish I could be there along side him myself. However, if there's something we both know about Link... He may be quiet, but once his mind's made up there's no talking him out of it. If his conviction has led him on this path, trust that he will see it through to the end."
"It's not that I don't believe in him, I do. Moreover, I think it's natural for someone to worry about someone they deeply care about. But, you're right. I'm just going to get in my own head if I continue with these lines of thoughts. Now isn't the time for me to stumble."
"Never let that beautiful smile of yours fade. Frowning doesn't suit you, Zelda."
Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink at his sudden comment, "R-Right!"
"I have do a tour of the Domain, even royalty aren't excluded from such duties. I must take my leave."
"See you later," she muttered.
I can see that those rumours about him weren't exaggerated...
But it didn't bother her, if anything, it was refreshing.
Only a week remained until the summit. This had to be a success, no matter what.
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"Satisfied yet?" mused Freyja.
Link had finished decimating yet another enemy stronghold testing out all his newfound abilities.
Sheathing his sword, he nodded, "I think I've gotten the hang of it."
"Good. Then all there is left to do now, is use them in a test of strength. One that will push you to your utmost limits. That's the only way for you to master these abilities, and resolve the conflict you carry in your heart."
Meaning that he needed to fight the Gold Lynel again. Once he defeated him, Link would use that very power he obtained to drive Freyja out of his body. In theory, it should work. That is... if everything he understands about the Darkness reigns true. Freyja had mentioned to him before that there was a natural order to things, and that any who try to go and disrupt the balance of nature end up being eliminated from the so-called "equation."
It didn't take an expert to figure out what that implied.
If Freyja was telling the truth, then he's always had the ability to wield the Darkness, it wasn't just because she cursed him. Removing that part of his soul... Link didn't know what would happen. However, it was a risk he was prepared for. For the ending that he wanted, he knew that he wasn't going to come out of this unscathed.
It's survival of the fittest out in the wild. If you're weak, you die. It's just that simple.
This would be his final battle. One where all of his cards would be laid out on the table. His back was against the wall, the odds were stacked against him. But when has that ever stopped him from fighting against the impossible?
He didn't even notice the grin that crept up on him.
"Do you know where to find him?" asked Freyja.
Link nodded, "There's only one place he'd be."
"What makes you so sure?"
"It's where I would go..."
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On the fourth day of travel, just as the sun was setting, he arrived at his destination.
The prominent presence he could feel under the cherry blossom just ahead had Link smirking in anticipation. He now stood in small pond before the tree. If he had his sight, he imagined the view would be something to behold.
Cherry blossom pedals were swirling around him on the warm autumn evening. Which was odd when he thought about it, because they shouldn't be in season. However, it seemed that this particular one was special, one that could go against the laws of nature.
The thought deepened his smirk.
"So... you've come," beckoned the Gold Lynel.
"You knew I would."
The Lynel chuckled, "Indeed. We are warriors of fate after all. This was inevitable."
"Agreed."
Hopping down from base of the tree into the pond, he inspected Link.
"You've grown a great deal stronger since last we clashed. Though, I already knew. You've killed every last one of my lieutenants, and used their defeats as fuel for your own strength. It seems you finally understand what it takes to move up in this world, Hero..."
"Don't misunderstand," Link retorted. "I'm not doing this for some righteous goal, or some lofty expectation. This is just an absurd grudge, and extremely personal."
The Lynel suddenly burst into hysterical laughter, "Amazing! Exquisite! Truly astounding! To think that you of all people would be here simply to sate their own desire of revenge! It would seem that even you cannot resist the temptation of your own twisted desires. This is what I've been waiting for."
Link could only chuckle in response, "That's right. I'm no longer the 'Hero' you like to refer me as. Just... Link..."
"Hahaha! Well, Link, I'd say it's about time for the clashing of steel to do the talking. As warriors of fate, I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. Now, we can both fight each other with no regrets, with nothing held back."
"I'll give you everything I have. Nothing will stop me from killing you this time."
"Then, let us begin."
Link could feel the ripples in the water splash against his shins, smell the scent of the blossoms as they swirled around his head, feel the warm breeze brush against his cheek.
This was it.
The time for talk was over. The stage had been set, and what needed to be said was said. Their resolves where as sturdy as their blades, and whichever broke first would decide the victor.
Unsheathing their weapons, the two gave each other a nod. Acknowledging the other's strength, and understanding that whatever the outcome, the loser would graciously accept their defeat.
The two charged at one another and met with swords, both trying to show a sign of dominance early.
Link quickly broke the stalemate by using his shadow manipulation technique to get an early strike in. But before he could manage to get another strike in, the Lynel grabbed his arm, yanked him out from his shadow, and slammed him into the water. While Link lay there stunned from the impact, the Lynel took the opportunity to put a swift end to the battle... or so he thought.
Shadow cloning, another ability making its appearance. The Link he cut through was a fake, and once he realized it, Link had already mounted him. Attacking his blind spot relentlessly.
Once he managed to knock Link off, the Lynel looked towards his assailant in surprise, "This power..."
"Familiar?"
He didn't think Link had the ability to wield both Light and Dark. He had never heard of anyone possessing such a capability.
"So this is your trump card. Interesting... Very interesting..."
The Lynel teleported, quickly swiping at Link. He barely managed to block it, but the raw strength of the attack still sent him flying backwards.
"I truly am glad that you're my opponent. How I've waited for this."
Link then point warped above, attempting to fake out the Lynel by using shadow cloning to attack the opening the fakes bought. But the Lynel seen through this ruse, knowing full well where Link would attack beforehand. Blocking the coming strike, he then uppercutted Link before kicking him away.
While he had Link at a distance, he decided to use his fireballs to keep applying the pressure. However, Link had the same idea. Using the fireballs the mask his movement to get in a clean slash across the Lynel's chest, much to the monster's surprise. Even the fireballs created shadows, and Link's ability wasn't limited to the shadows of living things.
The Lynel's stripes began to glow purple, and before Link could even think about stopping the regeneration, it already happened.
Cracking his neck, The Lynel picked up his sword before giving Link a menacing grin, "Time to get serious..."
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Zelda had been a nervous wreck these past few days. Her prayers had not been answered. When she had went to check on him, she noticed another very dark and sinister presence next to him. There was no doubt in her mind that it was the Gold Lynel, which could only mean one thing.
Time was running out.
Sidon took a seat beside her on the bridge, "Everyone is here. They only need you there to begin the summit."
She sighed as she wiped off her pants, "I shouldn't keep them waiting then."
"Good luck in there," he encouraged as she began walking away.
Hearing those words brought back a memory of old. One which made the corners of her mouth curl upwards.
Looking over her shoulder she replied with a smile, "I won't need it."
Zelda took a deep breath as she stood before the doors into the summit.
As nervous as she was. Not just about the summit, but also with Link. She still remained confident, had to remain confident that all would end well. This summit would be a success, she would see Link again, and the happily ever after that she wished for would come to fruition. She just needed to believe.
Everything will work itself out. I'm sure of it.
Opening the doors, all eyes in attendance shifted over to her.
Clearing her throat, "Now, let's get begin the summit."
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Zelda lost track of how many hours her and the other four leaders had been at each other's throats. She had informed them all of the plan she had told them individually once again, and since then, it's been one wrinkle after another that needed ironing out. Everything... From the: Distribution of funds, health and safety, taxes, wages, to positions of power, reparations... The list went on and on... Worst of all, they couldn't move onto the next topic of discussion until all parties agreed. Meaning, that some topics dragged on far longer than they should have for a variety of nonsensical reasons.
And, considering that the document she prepared beforehand was over 300 pages consisting of hundreds of things required for running a country...
It was frustrating to say the least. And the five of them were in that room for a long time. Three days straight in fact.
By the end of it, while they nearly all lost their minds trying to finish this marathon. They all somehow managed to cross it. All of them were ready to pass out for a week after the mental exhaustion they endured, but all of them would be doing so with a smile on their face. On the last page of the document, there were five lines across the page with an "X" marked beside them, signifying the spot they all needed to sign that would make this new constitution passed. And on each line, a signature was left. Meaning that all were in unanimous agreement.
"I feel like my eyes are going to bleed," moaned Riju.
"So... many... words..." groaned Bludo while holding his head in pain.
Dorephan laughed, "I think this calls for a toast!"
Kaneli hummed in agreement, "That sounds splendid."
Zelda felt a weight being lifted off of her. At least now, Hyrule's future was on the right path. She had managed to avoid the worst possible outcome that involved all of the provinces fighting each other for sole possession of the kingdom.
"Though I must say..." started Kaneli. "I'm very impressed with your diplomatic skills, Zelda. The way you were the median in all of this. Coming up with solutions that could benefit everyone, not just yourself. Keeping a level head. It seems you have a natural talent for this."
She shook her head, "Thank you, but I don't believe so. Like all of you, I just want to see Hyrule prosper, and have us all working towards the same goal. If I wasn't serious about it, then I don't deserve to be here."
Riju smiled, "Still... He has a point. And to think that I doubted you all those months ago. It was only thanks to Link that I decided to come. But now that I'm actually here, I'm glad that I did decide to come."
Her smile faded, and her look then turned to that of confusion. "By the way, where is Link? I haven't seen him at all since coming here. He also played a big role in making this happen, I would've thought that he would be here with us too."
Zelda's eyes went downcast, "The reason why he can't be here, is that he's in trouble."
The entire room grew solemn while Zelda continued, "Today is a great day for Hyrule, but for me, I'm afraid I can't share those same feelings of happiness until I know that he's okay. My apologies."
Dorephan was the first to speak up after silence lingered, "Go to him."
She looked up at him in confusion, but the Zora king merely nodded.
"We will finish things up here. Go to him. He has helped us all in our time of need, it's time someone does the same for him."
Zelda looked around the room at the other three leaders, each of them giving her a nod of approval.
She clasped her hands to her chest, "Thank you everyone."
"Make sure to bring him back, okay? Him and I made a deal." demanded Riju.
"It would be a shame to have our Champion descendant not present for this celebration," added Kaneli.
Pulling out the Sheikah Slate, Zelda readied her destination.
"I'll do everything in my power to see to it," she declared before teleporting off to the Mogg Latan Shrine.
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It didn't take her long to find the two in question, just a quick climb up the side of the mountain and she was perched up at a relatively safe distance where she could oversee the battle.
Her eyes quickly drifted over to Link.
He looks awful... I guess that's no surprise considering how long they must've been fighting.
There were cuts everywhere, and his movements were languid. Though, the same could be said for the Gold Lynel. It seemed that whatever healing phenomenon it had last time wasn't working any more. Had Link inflicted that much damage that the restorative ability couldn't keep up? It was hard to say, but ultimately it didn't matter.
There has to be something I can do to help!
But what could she do? The last time she got involved, Link lost an arm and his sight. Who knows what-
She vehemently shook her head.
I can't be having those kinds of thoughts. I've resolved myself to do this! No matter what!
From where things stood, they were at a stalemate. Not a surprise if the battle lasted this long. Judging by the fatigue both of them were showing, their "unnatural" abilities were no longer an option. This was now a fight of wills. Who could stand longer than the other.
She shook her head again, and slapped her cheeks.
Focus! I need to come up with plan. Somehow... I need to drive whatever "thing" that's residing inside Link and consuming his Light, out. But how?
As Zelda tried to wrap her head around some possible ideas, things began to go down to the wire between the two combatants.
The Lynel sluggishly swung his sword at Link.
"It's only... a matter... of... time... I... will... win...!" he exclaimed between laboured breaths.
Link sidestepped the attack, and lazily swung his sword back at him.
"Did anyone... ever... tell you that... you... talk too much...?"
After the Lynel blocked the oncoming attack, both of them mustered up all their strength and clashed steel once more. However, exhaustion was finally beginning to take over the two. As a result, they both lost their grips on their weapons and dropped to a knee.
The Lynel took a swing at Link with his fist, connecting square with his jaw, "To think we'd push each other... to this extent..."
Link shrugged it off, and came back with an uppercut if his own, connecting clean with the Lynel's chin, "I wouldn't... have it... any other way..."
The two shared a laugh as they placed a hand on each other's shoulder.
"It's funny... all of this power... meant nothing in the end..." said Link.
The Lynel shook his head, "Our abilities may have... been rendered useless... but our true strength... lies within..."
The two then proceeded to head butt each other.
Link's head was ringing with pain. Everything was becoming hazy, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't having the time of his life right now. For whatever reason, this felt... right...
"That may be true... now that I think about it... I was only... holding myself back..."
The Lynel grinned as he was beginning to regain his breath, "So... you understand... Doubt clouded your mind in our previous encounter, which is why you lost."
They head butted each other again.
It was true, he did hold doubt. Doubt that he could protect everyone, that he could protect Zelda. That it was simply going to be a repeat performance of the other times he had failed her. That fear of loss would be his undoing. It caused his blade to hesitate, a fatal mistake for any warrior. Turns out, he didn't need the help of a sinister power, he just needed to strengthen his resolve and trust in the power he always had, and it was only now that he realized it.
He had played right into her hands...
It would seem that his back was further against the wall than he anticipated.
"You figured it out, huh?" chimed a familiar voice.
"Indeed... And here I thought I'd be able to fool you."
Freyja laughed devilishly, "Foolish boy, don't you realize who you're dealing with? This contract was nothing more than an act, you were never going to escape my clutches."
"Then what was the point of letting me think that there was an out? If I was doomed from the start, wouldn't it have been easier to keep me trapped?"
He could hear her tsk, "It's like you don't know me at all! I'm hurt. You should know by now that I like to play with my prey before going in for the killing blow. I wanted to make you think you had a chance, make you believe there was a sliver hope. I wanted you to be at the absolute peak, just so I could watch the epic fall afterwards. Seeing you fall into inescapable despair before you become my pet has been an absolute dream of mine, and soon, it'll be a reality."
She then began to burst into a fit of giggles, "How does it feel? The esteemed Hero of Time becoming my personal toy because he got inside his own head? I can't believe you fell for such an easy trick considering all of your mighty intellect."
Link chuckled, "You're right, I'm an absolute idiot. Who could've guessed that my biggest enemy was not the Gold Lynel or you for that matter, but myself. How cynical..."
His focus then shifted back to the Lynel, "I have to thank you..."
It was the Lynel's turn to become confused, "For what?"
"For making me remember the reason why I chose to keep fighting after I woke from the Slumber of Restoration."
"Heh, we've come this far. Care to share?"
Link nodded, "So there would be no more prisoners of fate, like us. Where people could choose whatever path they wanted to walk on, instead of being forced to endure whatever road they've been given. For us to evolve no matter how you want to look at it, people need to learn to think for themselves. Grow their wings and fly so to speak. This mundane way of thinking where people have accepted the hand they've been dealt is... bullshit..." he began to cough up blood, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his balance.
However, a steady hand kept him in place. Which was that of the other who was destined to share the same fate he was.
"I tried so hard for so long to fight against it... that... I think that even I began to accept it after a while... I was... weak... But, that is why I decided to take up the Master Sword again... To reform society... As noble as it sounds to say I wanted to save a damsel in distress... that was a superficial reason. Sure, I love her and wanted to save her... but after seeing what happened to land I cared so deeply about... it became more than a selfish reason... Even without my memories... I felt that attachment... that need..."
The Lynel let out a hoarse laugh, "Ha! In the end, it was for some lofty goal... Pathetic..."
"Maybe... but it's something I believed in fighting for... to enact real change..."
"You and I may not be so different..."
Link looked up at the Lynel expectantly.
"I vowed to destroy society... This land made me sick... and I wanted to rebuild it from the ground up... However, the reason was very personal... I hated everyone... because they hated me... I let that hatred fuel me... and drive me into what I am now..."
It was the Lynel's turn to start puking blood. Both of them had reached their limits. Unable to maintain their balance any longer, they collapsed in the pond.
"I'm glad... I met you..." choked out the Lynel.
"I am... too..."
"Brother..." they said together.
As Freyja became ready to take him once he left for the afterlife, Link couldn't help but laugh inwardly. Who would've thought, that his final moments would be shared with a Lynel he sought to kill for months; that he ended up forming a bond of understanding with, and a sadistic woman ready to torture him for the rest of eternity.
At least Zelda's safe, and my goal for this land will come to light. I may not be there when the change happens, but I'm sure she will be successful in that endeavour. Knowing her... I'm sure of it...
Dammit...
I was hoping I'd get to be with her again. To tell her how much I loved her and how I couldn't wait to start a life with her. There was so much that I wanted to do with her still. But... it seems that wasn't in the hand I was dealt...
He had finally reached the end of his long and arduous road. He was toyed with, killed multiple times, and manipulated to the very end.
A fitting end for the Hero of Time. It started to feel like his entire life was some sort of game.
The water was ice cold, and he was starting to lose feeling in his limbs, and despite losing his vision, he could feel his eyelids grow heavy. He knew this feeling all too well, it wouldn't be much longer now.
...
"..."
A voice?
"Link..."
I've heard it somewhere before.
"Link!"
"Z-Zelda..." he breathed out as he tried desperately to cling onto the last remnants of his consciousness.
"I'm here, Link," she choked out.
"How in the w-world... d-did you... f-find me...?"
Maybe things weren't as bleak as they once seemed.
"I'll explain after, there's something I need to do first. Please hang in there."
She quickly summoned the Bow of Light, taking aim directly at Link's chest.
It's the only way. If I pierce the Darkness residing within his heart with the Bow of Light, that should purify whatever is inside him. That should end this madness!
What drove her to that conclusion? Call it instinct. Something or someone was telling her to do this, and she was desperate to save him.
Please work! Please!
She fired the arrow into his chest.
Since this was a bow that didn't adhere to the physical laws of nature entirely, she was able to metaphorically pierce his heart. Otherwise, she wasn't sure if she could follow through on this plan.
Nothing happened at first, but she was soon met with a high pitch scream as black ooze started to leak out of all of Link's wounds.
"I was so close! Seconds away even! How dare you, you stupid vixen!" screeched Freyja as she physically manifested before Zelda.
Once she was fully formed, Zelda was quick to notice the gaping hole in the woman's chest.
"So you're the one-"
"Do you realize what you've done?!" she snipped.
"What-"
Freyja was quick to cut her off again, "Stupid girl! Playing with things she doesn't even understand! You've killed him!"
Zelda gave her a look of disbelief, "Killed him?! Wha- I saved him!"
"When one tries to go against the natural flow, they always get dragged under. You've disrupted the balance, and therefore have forfeited his life!"
This woman was trying to pin everything on her? For real?!
"Don't be ridiculous! You were trying to corrupt him with your sinister power!"
Freyja scoffed, "Corrupt, not eliminate! Just as his Light was hiding his dark power within, I tried to reverse that. Link is unique in respect to possessing both Light and Darkness. They are both a part of him, and what you've done is eliminate part of his soul. Therefore, disrupting the balance."
Zelda's eyes grew wide, "W-What are you saying?"
Freyja broke down in tears as her body started to flake away due to the power of the Light Arrow.
"I j-just wanted h-him for m-myself! Was it t-too much to a-ask?"
"What's happening?!" demanded Zelda who was beginning to panic at this whole fucked up situation.
Freyja wiped her eyes in attempt to regain her composure, "I had fully attached myself to his dark power, by removing that, you also remove me. It was a backup plan I had in case he tried something, but it seems my caution was misplaced..."
"Then, if what you're saying is true..."
She let out a sad laugh, "You sure catch on slow. Yes, you've killed him while also killing me. It was a collateral that I had came up with for times like this. If I can't have him, then no one can!"
Zelda shook her head in disbelief, "No..."
"Now do you understand...? Stupid girl... you... should-" Before she had the chance to finish, Freyja was turned into dust and whisked away by a gust of wind.
What she said couldn't be true... right?
Her attention immediately shifted to Link, who lie still in the shallow waters of the pond.
"Link..." she said under her breath as she knelt next to him.
She rested his head in her lap.
"Link?" she cooed.
...
This was a picture all too familiar to her...
"Come on, not again. Things weren't supposed to be like this. Not this time..."
...
"Say something, anything... please..." her voice cracked as her tears began to cascade down her cheeks.
...
It was too late. He was already gone.
"How cruel... so this is how it ends? Truly?"
She was at a loss for words. There was too much she wanted to say. There was so much they were supposed to do together. They were going to get married, have kids, and live a happy life. She wanted at least three little ones, and wasn't going to budge on it. They were going to witness the rebuild of Hyrule together. Watch the land they fought so hard to save, proper into a new age of peace. She was going to ask him to teach her how to bake sweets, so she could surprise him on his birthday with his favourite desert. She wanted him to comb her hair again, because it felt therapeutic having her hair brushed under his touch while they talked. She wanted to continue having the moments where they'd sit in comfortable silence together, where he'd be reading while sipping coffee, and her, tea. She wanted the moments to continue where she managed to break his composure, and see his cute blush or smile that was reserved just for her.
So why? Why did things have to end like this?!
She held Link close while she continued to sob.
A cruel twist of fate, an unfavourable result, a bad ending. All of these things described how Zelda felt, and all of them couldn't have reigned more true. Link had given everything, absolutely everything for her and Hyrule, and the Gods still demanded his life. Whoever they were, she cursed them and forever would. How cruel could they be to subjugate one man to such a life of torment? He was thrown into a pit with all the odds stacked against him time and time again. But it didn't matter if he won the game or lost, the outcome would've remained the same. The Gods had rigged the game to sate their boredom, and that was unforgivable.
They just wanted to see how long he could endure before he couldn't keep going anymore. Curse them!
What she wouldn't give to be with Link again, to go back in time and prevent all this from ever happening. However, the world didn't work that way. And sometimes... happy endings just weren't meant to be. They fought against the world to be together, defying even death itself, but one could only pull such theatrics so many times.
Zelda tried to collect herself as she looked down at her now deceased lover.
Link would scold me for getting upset like this. He likely knew that his fate was sealed a long time ago, and yet he still tried to go as far as he could before succumbing to the inevitable end... Not just for me, but for everyone.
She wiped the remnants of her tears away.
There was one way she could make it up to him. Which was, ensure that the land prospered. It was not only a goal she had, but him as well. It would be a way for her to remain connected to him in some way until she joined him in the afterlife. Taking the woman's words into account, Link's soul hadn't been completely destroyed, meaning that there was still a way to mend what was once lost. And even if it took her millennia, she would find a way to be reunited with him again.
She planted a soft kiss onto his lips, "I love you, Link. This may be goodbye for now, but I promise we will be together again, someday. I won't let you break our promise, okay?"
There were things that needed to be taken care of. Link's burial, placing the Master Sword back in its pedestal, and the rebuild.
Somehow, she would press on. If not for her sake, then for his, she would remain strong. She would live for the both of them, since she knew that would be something he would've wanted. If she became stagnant now, then Link's life and all that he's done for her would've meant nothing, and she refused to let that happen.
For now though, Zelda would grieve. She had earned that much.
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"Are you doing well? I'm just stopping by for my regular visit. Ten years later, and I still haven't missed a day! Better not be getting tired of me yet!"
Zelda was kneeling before two graves atop Talonto Peak. The hike up wasn't too bad anymore. She had grown accustomed to the cold long ago, and the hike itself only took about an hour. She was thankful that Tabantha Village, where her home was, was so close by.
She had decided to put his grave next to his mothers, and to make her home in his village of birth. It was a bit of an inconvenience when it came to her duties as the Queen, but thanks to the Shiekah Slate it wasn't too bad since she could teleport wherever she needed. She still wears the ring he gave her, and now wears the earrings that he wore.
Anything to remain tied to her lost lover.
"Things are really starting to pick up as of late. The finishing touches are being put on CastleTown, and it'll soon be booming with people again. Everywhere I go, I notice that there are more and more people. I guess people are really trying to make up for lost time, huh?" She giggled a little at the last comment before her face turned solemn.
"I really wish you could be here with me... I've... been getting better at coping being without you, but..." She fought off the tears that threatened to escape her glistening eyes. "After all, when I lost you, I lost a part of myself as well. That's not something you can ever replace, or ever really recover from. But I've been getting by, no need to worry. I just... miss you. Like a lot...
"Sorry, I didn't mean for this to take a dark turn." She sighed. "Not a day goes by when you're not on my mind. I try to be as positive as I can be about it, but there are days where it's hard..."
She wiped away at the stinging sensation she felt on her cheeks. A few tears managed to make their escape, and instantly freeze due to the bitter cold.
"Anyways... I just wanted to say that I love you, and I pray that you'll continue to watch over me. I'll continue to remain strong, and do my part to make you proud so I can stand by your side again with pride. I can't wait to see you again and tell you of the life I lived. I'll be sure to make a lot of memories... just for you... So, prepare yourself!"
Taking a quick glance at the slate, she figured that it was time to head back. She had some meetings to attend to that she couldn't get out of. Another inconvenience...
"Looks like I've got to get going. Duty calls! ...or something like that..."
Zelda then kissed her fingers and placed them over his name on the tombstone.
"See you tomorrow..."
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A/N: Well, what the fuck, eh? Yes, in the end Link dies and we're all left feeling a little agitated.
Anyways, the support I've gotten for these two stories have been unbelievable. Especially when you consider that I'm not a big name, or have very many ways to promote it. Reaching out to over 50k people is amazing, and I can't thank you guys enough for that. Some loved what I wrote, others hated it, some cried, some laughed, but at the end of it, we all shared an experience. Had our feelings evoked, and as a writer that's all I can ask for. For you to experience some sort of attachment to the story.
As for my next plans, I got nothing. Work makes updates so erratic that it's not fair to you guys to have to wait so long between updates. I get that some of you guys don't mind, but I feel bad about it. That being said, once work dies down. I think I want to make my next one be a more in depth look at the relationship between the protagonist of Persona 5 and Ann. These are very preliminary thoughts, but maybe something like I did with the first story where the game plays out and I fill out the in between with my own thoughts. If there was one thing I'd have to complain about with Persona 5, is that your relationships with your confidants didn't have much an impact as I'd hope they would. Even with people you don't decide to romance. I felt like there was much more they could with not only dialogue at certain points in the game, but stuff in between with texts, phone calls, when you hang out, etc. It felt very... separate, and it left room to be desired. So, I suppose that's something to possibly look forward to.
For now, I'm just going to take a break. Maybe actually read some fan fiction, it's been so long so I have. If you guys have an recommendations for whatever fandom, let me know. Also, don't be afraid to continue asking questions or whatever. I won't be MIA, just won't be writing. I have a tumblr if you guys want to follow that, but I've rambled on long enough.
Make sure to leave a like, comment, and share.
Thank you once again for reading what I have to offer, and I'll see you guys around.