Chapter 11
Long ago in days of old, lived a hero brave and bold
Slain by the demon in blood so cold
But as the clock turns round and round
The hero's soul again will be found
Within these woods sleeps the blade
That carries forth the hero's shade
Little leaf who lives again
Reunite with your friend
Three pendants bring you here
Now you must face your fear
Before the final moon shall fade
Face yourself and pull the blade
"'Face yourself and pull the blade'" Link read aloud off the poem inscribed at the entrance of the Lost Woods.
This poem had been here for as long as any Hylian could remember, but few knew what it meant. The Lost Woods were dangerous. Hylians were told from a young age to keep away from the mysterious forest. And yet, here stood Link, preparing to venture forth within and retrieve the blade of legend.
Legend
That word. It kept repeating itself within Link's mind. This whole journey was because of a legend, the tale of the Hero of Time. What was Link's connection to this legendary hero? Was there a connection? Was this all a fantasy dreamed up by the Princess? Or could this possibly be a continuation of the battle that took place long, long ago. A link to the past.
Link looked up at the bright blue sky above the trees and took one deep breath before stepping foot into the woods. At first, the woods seemed no different from any other forest in Hyrule. A tree here, a bush there, woodland critters hopping about.
Link thought to themselves that maybe the tales of the Lost Woods being haunted were merely a myth, and that perhaps this part of the journey would be easy. A reward for slaying three demons and retrieving the pendants.
However, as Link inched forwards, a thick fog began to roll in. Slowly at first. But then, as if all at once, the woodlands became completely enveloped within the misty blanket. Link could barely see anything. The only thing visible to them was the ground below them. They looked down at the grass in an attempt to gain any sort of bearing on where they were. Link blinked and opened their eyes slowly to reveal that the fog had all but disappeared, leaving behind a divine sight. It was a brilliantly shining, golden sword resting within a majestic pedestal.
"The Master Sword!" Link exclaimed.
They ran up to the pedestal and placed their hands upon the hilt of the blade.
"Finally! Now I can get out of these cursed woods!" Link shouted as they pulled the sword. They raised the mythical sword above their head and…
Nothing. Link's hand were empty. No Master Sword. Just air.
The thick fog rolled in once again.
A gentle rainfall began to descend upon the forest. It was strange, seeing as how just a few moments ago, before they had entered the woods, the skies above Hyrule were completely clear. Raindrops began to trail down Link's face as they continued through the Lost Woods. It was then that they realized, they had no idea where in the forest the Master Sword was. They thought that maybe after obtaining the three Pendants of Virtue that the sword would be waiting for them, ready to be pulled. Perhaps this was not meant to be. Perhaps they weren't the hero that Hyrule needed. Zelda had contacted them by accident, so how could they be so sure that this is the path the goddesses laid out for them.
The Hero of Time was dead. They died a century ago trying to stop Ganon from taking over Hyrule. They failed. The Princess of the time was able to restore balance to the kingdom for a time, but it was an unsteady peace. The fear of Ganon's return was always in the heart of Hyrule, even if it's denizens tried to deny or ignore it, Ganon would return.
Maybe this quest was over long before Link began their journey. Hyrule died one hundred years ago during the Imprisoning War. The kingdom now was an echo. An echo that was about to be silenced.
GGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROWL
A bestial noise emerged from deep in the woods, distracting Link from their pessimistic thoughts. They trudged through the rain, the wet mud making each step forward harder than the last. Link parted the branches that blocked his path. Upon separating them, they were met with the sight of a large pond, it's waters so clear and still that it almost seemed like a mere sheet of glass. Fog quickly rolled in, obscuring the forest around it until it became lost in a gray haze. In the very center of the pond awaited the source of the growling. It was the black wolf, the same black wolf that Link had encountered back home at the start of their journey. It was just staring into Link's very spirit with it's bright red eyes. Link gulped as they began to address the wolf.
"Wh-what do you want from me?"
The wolf merely turned its head downward, gesturing to Link to do the same. Link looked down to see what ground the wolf was standing on. But there was now ground, the wolf stood atop the water itself. Link and the wolf then raised their heads simultaneously and made eye contact once again.
Then, the wolf began to morph in shape. First, it's body seemed to turn into pure shadow. Then it began to stretch into a taller form, standing vertically. Finally, it grew more defined features, if fact, it seemed to be Hylian now. Link stared in horror as the beast took on a very familiar shape. They had a slender build, very boney with androgynous facial features. Wavy shoulder length hair under a long pointed cap with a tunic to match. In their right hand they carried a shield emblemized with the Kokiri family crest. On their back sheathed a sword, the very same on Link's Uncle had carried the night he died.
Link couldn't believe it at first, but this creature standing in the middle of the pond was Link. Or at least some kind of dark reflection of Link. They looked identical in terms of physical features, but the other Link wore black instead of green, and their skin was light gray as opposed to Link's pale pink.
The Dark Link raised their left hand and gestured for Link to come forward. Link looked down at the pond, down at their reflection, their true reflection. They looked back up before taking a step onto the water. They walked across the pond with ease as if it were any ground. They then reached for the sword upon their back and pulled it from the sheath. The Dark Link did the same.
"'Face yourself and pull the blade'" Link quoted the poem as they took a combat stance.
The Dark Link began to run towards the true Link at full speed with their shield raised and their sword behind them, ready to strike. Link attempted to parry the blow, but the otherworldly speed of Dark Link was too much. The twisted reflection slashed Link across their left arm, ripping their sleeve and breaking the skin underneath. Still, Link kept a steady grip on their sword. They jumped backwards, out of harm's way, before lunging forward with a stab. Link's sword managed to hit it's mark and now found itself imbedded into the chest of Dark Link. Dark Link began to stagger backwards. The creature's body language seemed to indicate great pain as it clumsily recoiled from Link's blade. And yet, it's face was unchanging, still blank and expressionless.
"HYAAAAAAH!" Link screamed as they prepared another stab at the monster's chest. However, Dark Link had anticipated this and it jumped straight up in the air before landing gracefully upon Link's outstretched blade. Link's eyes shot up to meet the red eyes of Dark Link. The reflection was now squatting upon their sword, staring down at them, as if to say You can't try that again.
Link swiped their sword horizontally to shake Dark Link off. It worked as Dark Link backflipped off before raising their sword above their head. Link could see a downward strike coming and lifted their shield to parry the blow. While Link managed to block the strike, they could feel the Dark Link's strength growing as it pressed it's sword harder and harder upon the Kokiri family shield. Link felt the surface of the shield crack, their family crest broken. The pressure grew more and more until Link was forced to drop the sword in their left hand in order to grip the barrier with both hands.
The stress caused by Link's dark side was becoming too much for Link as they came to a horrifying realization. They couldn't win this fight. This creature was superior to them in every way and it felt far stronger than them. Hiding behind this shield, Link couldn't even see the face of the monster causing this pain. They could only wait until it would inevitably be their end. In the moment of hopelessness, Link began to cry.
"I...I can't do it. I'm not strong enough"
The Dark Link's sword then split Link's shield in twain. Behind the shield lied a crumpled and defeated Link. Weak and beaten, but now able to meet eyes with the Dark Link. Link fully expected the creature to kill them there and then. But something else happened. The Dark Link lowered their sword and dropped it.
Confused, Link looked back up towards Dark Link's face. But it wasn't the face of some creature or a monster corrupted by Aganihm's magic. It was the face of Link, and they were crying too. Link rubbed their eyes, attempting to clear their vision. When they opened them again, they were no longer crumpled on the ground, but standing and staring down at a mirror version of themselves laying defeated and confused.
"I...I can't kill you".
A darkness began to surround both Links. When the natural light of the forest finally faded in, both Links were again one. They found themselves back in the woods, standing in front of a hollowed out tree trunk being used as a doorway.
"This must be it" they said "'Face yourself and pull the blade'" once again quoting the poem they'd read earlier. They ran through the wooden tunnel, emerging into a serene, picturesque area of the forest, teeming with bright green grass and white flowers. The rain from before was still falling as they walked towards the pedestal at the end of the path. Link couldn't see the sword yet, it seemed like some big, black rock was blocking it, but they knew it had to be there. Excitedly, they ran up to the pedestal and around the rock to find…
Nothing. No Master Sword. Just an empty hole where the blade was supposed to rest. The rain began to fall harder as Link fell to their knees.
"No."
Through angry tears they then began pounding at the stone ground beneath them.
"I...I've done everything! Why isn't it here!? It's supposed to be here! All the legends state that the Master Sword sleeps within the Lost Woods! I've gotten the pendants! Is it because I couldn't defeat that dark me!? Why!?"
"Well now, you're back. It's been quite some time".
Link looked up to see who was talking to them. The only thing around was a large tree in front of the pedestal. It kind of looked like it had a face, but trees don't talk, right?
"Oh, my mistake. You just reminded me of an old friend from long ago" the tree said.
Link half recognised this being from the vision they had after collecting their first pendant.
"Are...are you the Great Deku Tree?"
"Ah, I see that the Hylians still refer to me by that name. That's a title I went by a long time ago when I was looked up to by many. I'm just the Deku Tree now. Might I ask, what brings you here, pink haired one?"
"I...I'm looking for the Master Sword. A follower of Ganon is trying to bring about his return and the sword is the only thing that can stop him. It's supposed to be here but I can't find it".
"I see, and this sword. Are you sure it is the only thing that can stop this Ganon?"
"Yes!"
"Then why were you sent to retrieve it? If this sword was truly as powerful as you say then why couldn't it just beat Ganon on it's own?"
Link felt like this was a stupid question.
"Someone needs to wield the sword" Link replied, surprised that they had to clarify what seemed to be so obvious.
"Then what you've told me isn't true".
"Excuse me?" Link asked.
Take that shield in your hand. It's made to protect you. That is its purpose. So if you leave it on the ground, will it still protect you?"
"No...I have to hold it".
"So the shield is not protecting you by itself, you have to be there to hold it, to know how to use it".
"I...um...I think I get what you're saying but...I still need that sword and it's not here".
"Do me a favor, friend, turn around and look again".
Link grew more and more confused with each sentence the Deku Tree made. Still, they decided to take one more look at the pedestal.
"I still don't see it".
"I do" the Deku Tree replied.
Puzzled, Link began darting their eyes all around the woods looking for the sword until they finally focused on the rock behind they had passed earlier. The side facing them now was smooth, and with the raid falling down it's surface it became reflective, like a mirror. They walked closer and closer to the mirror, looking at their dark reflection up and down. It was then that they noticed something odd. There was a regal looking blue hilt on their sword, but only in the reflection. Link could just barely see it poking out of the scabbard on their reflection's back. It took time to finally see, but it was there. Link grabbed the handle of the sword with their left hand.
Link had done it. They'd gathered the three pendants and ventured into the lost woods. They'd conquered the many trials set before them and emerged stronger than they had been before. All that was left to do now was to face themself and pull the blade.
As Link pulled the Master Sword from their scabbard, the rain began to slow down until it stopped. Link raised the Master Sword towards the heavens. It was done. But what were they now? The Hero of Time? Maybe once, but not anymore. On this day, Link became the Hero of Legend.