The Legend of Zelda, its characters and locations are all property of Nintendo. Any and all OCs and original locations belong to me unless specifically stated to belong to someone else.

The Voice
26 – Keep Trying

This really was starting to become a habit, wasn't it?

Blinking up at the unfamiliar ceiling, which appeared to be made of tree roots and packed earth, Link did a quick mental survey of himself. Nothing appeared to be out of place save for his pride, but that had been a pre-existing issue and therefore nothing to worry about. A bone-deep weariness had infiltrated his body, but that was to be expected. One did not pass out without good reason, after all.

He should probably have been more worried about his current situation, but the fact that he was lying on a soft surface (not quite a feather mattress, but still comfortable) in a warm room (if somewhat humid), he figured he could take a few moments to himself before letting the usual anxiety reassert itself. He didn't get many opportunities like this, after all.

It also gave him a little time to think about the dream he'd just had...if it could be called that. It had felt too real, too familiar, to be something entirely constructed from his imagination, so he had no choice but to consider it a memory, clearly triggered by his disastrous reunion with the Master Sword...which, in all honesty, he'd been a fool not to expect. Hell, the Deku Tree, bastard that it was, had even warned him of it. He'd gotten too caught up in his ill-placed confidence in himself, and in Sheik's goading.

Such a mess, all of it. Had the Sword planned it? Made his father suffer momentarily just to get Link to touch it and initiate the contract between them? Or had his presence as his father's squire that day simply been a happy accident, and their meeting merely accelerated? Had Link been predestined to always wield the Master Sword, or was he just one in many who happened to be the closest when the Sword finally decided to choose its new wielder?

Too many questions he had no chance of answering on his own, and he highly doubted the blade would be particularly forthcoming in its answers, if he were even allowed to touch it again without it killing him. For this had simply been a warning—and the only one he would get. He'd felt that in the Sword's words, its tone. Disappointment, sadness...but also a little hope. It almost made him want to prostrate himself before it, begging for forgiveness...but he had a feeling that would make an even worse impression.

So, how could he convince the Master Sword he was the same Hero who'd wielded it a hundred years ago? It hadn't accepted him now, why would it in the future? He was still nowhere near the level he'd been back then...and it would take quite some time to reach it again, if ever.

That was just about the only time he had for any coherent thought, because the anxiety and doubt gave him the mental equivalent of a sledgehammer blow to the head immediately afterwards, causing him to clench his eyes shut and give off a groan that only the world-weary are capable of. And wasn't that a sad thing to be at his age?

This was also about the time he realised he wasn't alone in his current dwelling, the distinct sound of rattling filling his ears. Turning his head towards the sound, he spotted...well, he shouldn't have been surprised, should he?

"H-Hestu?" he asked, squinting at the large Korok, who was sitting near what appeared to be the entrance to the dwelling. It must have been night, judging by the pale light shining through the opening.

Hestu jumped at being addressed, his maracas being shaken involuntarily. "Shalaka! The Hero is awake! Hestu is glad!"

I'm not, Link thought bitterly, but kept a carefully placid smile on his lips as he watched the large Korok. He liked Hestu, unlike his little cousins or siblings or whatever they were. Hestu was too big to hide in annoying places, too kind to give Link ridiculous challenges just so he could take back the seeds they'd stolen from Hestu in the first place.

"S-Sorry to w-worry you," he said. Noticing a distinct lack of angry screeching, he looked around the dwelling. It was...cosy. He was surprised to find he actually was lying in a bed, with proper sheets and everything. There was, however, something missing. "D-Do you kn-know wh-where Sh-Sheik is?"

He tried not to worry too much, even if he felt unnerved at the lack of judgemental Sheikah in the immediate vicinity. He doubted the Deku Tree would do something to his companion. Perhaps he'd remained to speak with the tree, or...or...

His blood ran cold when he imagined Koroks running off with the slate, like they had with Hestu's seeds. The thieving little bastards would do something like that, wouldn't they?

Luckily, Hestu assuaged his fears almost immediately. "Your loud, sweary friend?" he asked. "He's with Granddad!"

Link tried not to grin at Hestu's description of Sheik (which was extremely true), and nodded. "G-Granddad?"

"The Great Deku Tree, shalaka!" Hestu elaborated, shaking his maracas and performing an impromptu little dance. It was...adorable. Link couldn't imagine how the other Koroks could be so mean to Hestu, when there was clearly not a single malicious bone (branch?) in his body (trunk?). "They've been talking all day!"

Oh dear. That was not good. Sheik could do a lot of damage with his words, even when he didn't mean to. Who knew how much he'd soured the Deku Tree's impression of them at this point? Even more than Link's mere existence did, perhaps?

He forced himself to sit up, feeling positively ancient as every muscle, tendon, and bone in his body screamed in refusal to cooperate. The Master Sword hadn't done any permanent damage from what he could tell, but it had certainly wanted to impress the severity of its judgement on him.

...by turning him into an old man, apparently.

As it turned out, his little dwelling was beneath the Deku Tree, nestled among the giant tree's protective roots. Link wasn't sure how to feel about that, given the conversation preceding his waking up there. He'd half-expected to wake up on that stone platform...that is, if he woke up at all.

Hestu pointed him in the correct direction, and would have accompanied him if it weren't for one of his little cousins swooping by and swiping one of his maracas, causing the large Korok to give an indignant squeak and chase after it to a chorus of loud yahahas.

As he walked, he adjusted his Sheikah uniform until he appeared to be somewhat orderly and formidable, as opposed to tired, aching, and generally upset with life. And then he heard Sheik's voice, and his stomach gave a plunge into the abyss.

"...and what does he do, you ask? He gives me a look, and jumps on top of the damn shield, riding it all the way down the hill! He even had the nerve to laugh about it afterwards!"

"Hmph, a foolish risk. What if he had fallen and broken his neck?"

"My point exactly, twig."

Rubbing his eyes tiredly, Link hiked his mask up as far as it would go, hoping to hide his reddened cheeks from view. Last he knew, Sheik had threatened to burn Korok Forest down, and now they were apparently bonding over his one attempt to have a little fun on a quest that was actively trying to make him miserable? So he liked shield surfing, where was the crime in that? It was better than paragliding, that was for sure!

His stealth definitely needed work, seeing as the Deku Tree's massive eyes immediately flitted towards him as he stepped into the clearing, bathed in moonlight. Granted, it had probably sensed him waking up right away, Link having been sleeping beneath it.

"Well, you've finally seen fit wake up, boy," the Tree said in a reproachful voice. "Consider yourself lucky—you did not heed my advice, but the Sword took pity upon you and merely gave you a warning."

Link ignored the Tree entirely, marching up to the pedestal in which the Sword rested, glaring at the blade for several seconds. Then he turned his attention to the slate, which was propped up against a small stone, the screen facing the Tree. Said screen dimmed a little when Link's glare was turned on it.

"Uh...hi?" Sheik tried.

"S-So much f-for d-defending me, huh?" Link asked, making no move to pick up the slate. "F-Friends now, are you?"

"I got bored? Look, you were passed out, and the little shits didn't see fit to carry me along with you. I knew you were all right, though, I swear! I was monitoring you this entire time!"

"Th-That's n-not the p-point," Link hissed. "Y-You're being civil w-with him!"

"I'm not allowed to make friends?" Sheik asked, his tone laced with fake hurt.

"Y-You threatened t-to b-burn the woods d-down!"

"I make a lot of threats, Link. Very few of them come to fruition."

Don't I know it, Link thought, quite certain that every third sentence of Sheik's was some form of threat.

"I would like to see him try," the Tree added, sounding annoyed at being ignored.

"Shut it!"

Link wondered if Sheik's idea of friendship was something entirely different from what normal people considered them to be. He wouldn't be surprised if it were. Were all Sheikah like this? No, Impa, Paya, Pikango and the others had all been perfectly pleasant and somewhat normal.

Purah and Robbie did not count!

"Anyway, you're all right, yes?"

"C-Could b-be b-better," Link said, glaring at the Sword again. "N-No th-thanks to th-that!"

"Like I said," the Tree groused, "consider yourself—"

"L-Lucky, yeah, I h-heard," Link said sourly. The Tree didn't like him, and he didn't like it. Why bother listening when all it would say was vaguely or outright insulting? "L-Let's go." He picked up the slate and clipped it onto his belt.

"Go?" Sheik asked. "Go where?"

"Away," Link simply said. "S-Sword won't let m-me w-wield it. W-We're d-done here."

He was sulking. He knew that, but he didn't care. The Sword had made its position quite clear, and he had no idea of how he could impress it enough to let him pick it up again. The Deku Tree was of no help whatsoever, and he had more important things to do than stick around a forest filled with damn Koroks and be insulted. So why bother? He'd defeated two Blights and freed two Divine Beasts without it—who was to say he couldn't do the rest without it as well?

"Wait—Link, you're...what?!"

One of the few times he'd managed to bring Sheik to sputtering, and he couldn't even enjoy it for the annoyance and anxiety he was feeling...which only grew worse as he could practically feel the Deku Tree's eyes on his back.

"So, you're giving up, then?" it asked. "Just like that?"

"I've d-done all I c-can," Link said with a shrug, as if to show how little he cared. "N-Not much e-else th-that will p-prove I'm w-worthy. It ch-chose m-me as a ch-child, b-but I've l-lost its f-favour."

"And you won't even try?" the Tree thundered. "I knew I was right about you, boy."

"I g-guess you w-were."

He wasn't even bluffing. Coming here had been a giant waste of time. The Sword had made a mistake when it chose him...offered him a deal that wasn't fair in the first place. If that was how it treated a boy of seven, he was more than happy to leave it behind.

"Link," Sheik tried, "you're not being serious, are you?"

"N-Never been m-more serious in m-my life," he said.

"I know you're angry, but we need—"

"We d-did fine w-without it!"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"I t-trust you."

Sheik didn't answer. For a brief, glorious moment, Link even believed that would be it. He was free to move on to the next part of his journey.

He made it to the edge of the clearing before the Deku Tree opened its big, fat mouth again.

"So sad to see Hyrule's fate consigned to the hands of a coward. Hylia preserve us all."

"Hey!" Sheik said sharply. "Do not call him a coward! He's done more in a matter of a few months than you've done in a centu—"

"I'm o-open t-to suggestions!"

He'd meant to just keep going, to leave the Tree to its presumed misery and boredom, but that fucking judgemental tone just hit all the wrong buttons in him. He turned to face the Tree, his arms crossed petulantly, glaring up at it.

"S-Start helping!" he shouted. "If y-you kn-know s-something I d-don't, th-then tell me! D-Don't be a smug arsehole!"

"Yeah!" Sheik agreed.

Quick to turn on his supposed friend, his Sheik was, but since it was in Link's favour he decided not to dwell on it.

"If y-you c-care about H-Hyrule, th-then you'd b-better p-prove it!"

"That's right!"

"H-Help me, so I c-can h-help H-Hyrule!"

"He's saying what we're all thinking!"

Who this 'all' was, Link had no idea, but he appreciated Sheik's enthusiastic background chorus nonetheless, since it backed up his embarrassingly stuttered words with a voice that offered and gave no quarter.

He held the Tree's gaze for a seemingly never-ending moment, as if it was gauging his commitment to this. Then its massive mouth turned down in a frown.

"Hmph, there might a way to prove, if not your worthiness, then at least your conviction. She might accept that."

Link let his shoulders droop a little. On one hand, he was glad to finally get some assistance worth a damn out of the cantankerous tree, but on the other...well, he'd sort of hoped they were done here. Done with the Sword. No such luck, apparently. He knew he should have been happy about this, but all he felt was a growing sense of trepidation because this meant he was on his last chance. He either proved himself, or he died trying to pull the sword out again. He should have kept his mouth shut, should have just left. Too late for that now, though, unless he wanted to give the Tree more ammunition.

"Wh-What is it?" he asked, steeling his voice so it didn't betray his disappointment.

"I'm certain your...friend has already noticed them," the Tree said. "The shrines in the woods."

Link looked down at the slate, which blinked. "Er, yeah. Faint signals, at least, nothing conclusive. What about them?"

"The Koroks use them for a series of trials meant as a rite of passage. Perhaps if you completed them, the Sword would look upon you more favourably."

"Sh-Shrines?" Link asked. "I've already c-completed s-several of th-them."

How the hell was this supposed to make him look worthier in the Sword's view?

"Let me guess," Sheik said drily. "There's some sort of catch?"

"No catch," the Tree replied just as drily. "Well, one," it added after a moment of hesitation. "Your friend cannot help you."

"K-Kind of d-difficult," Link said, gesturing to the Slate. "I n-need the s-slate."

"I was led to believe there is some sort of...button, was it? It makes him...quiet? I suggest you use it. Give yourself some space to think."

"What?!" Sheik shrieked. "Absolutely not! Link needs me! Without me he'll be unable to—"

"Speak to Chio to learn more," the Tree said, tone dismissive. "And remember, this is your trial, boy, and yours only."

Link unclipped the slate and held it in both hands, looking down at the screen, which was practically flashing to convey Sheik's seething rage.

"I really am going to burn this fucking forest down," Sheik muttered.

"It'll b-be fine," Link said, caressing the screen with his thumb. "I'm n-not helpless, you kn-know..."

"I know," Sheik said. "Un-mute me as soon as you're done?"

"P-Promise."

"And don't worry, I'll take copious notes on how you can improve. Just because I can't help you now doesn't mean I can't point out your mistakes later. In fact—"

Link muted him, grinning when the screen began flashing again. "Finger s-slipped," he said apologetically.

He wasn't sure what he'd expected from the trials the Koroks supposedly used. He hadn't foreseen the need for the Magnesis rune, for one. Exactly how the tiny Koroks were expected to lift a damn metal chest and shove it into the "mouth" of a tree, he didn't know, much less transporting said chest across the water of a small pond and onto a tiny little island on which said tree stood.

He wasn't particularly impressed with the shrine hidden on said island either, but he felt no small amount of relief when place yielded its treasure, and the Sheikah monk their spirit orb, with no requirements other than reach it, apparently.

Floating up the elevator shaft, Link couldn't help but give Sheik a sardonic look as the slate's screen flashed angrily, clearly not any happier about this than Link.

"J-Just two more," he promised. "Th-Then you c-can scream at m-me again."

The flashing promised there would be lots.

The next trial was, at the very least, something of a challenge. The Korok waiting for him at the entrance had demanded that he remove his weapons, only to provide Link with a set of wooden ones. Why the Koroks had a full set of wooden weapons scaled to Hylian size was not something he wanted to dwell on.

Not that he had time for that, given the onslaught of bokoblins and other minions of Ganon that had come charging through the mist the moment he'd stepped into the trial area.

I thought this place was supposed to be safe, he thought as he blocked a clumsy blow from a club and countered by driving the tip of his wooden sword into the monster's throat, leaving it gasping before he stomped on its neck, breaking it.

Brutal, but necessary. He couldn't break the fragile weapons, the wood not particularly solid, so he had to be careful. The enemies didn't have that problem, more than happy to snap their clubs in half with badly-aimed blows that struck the tree trunk behind Link. The wooden arrows, at least, were sharp enough to do plenty of damage on their own, but the shield and sword left him somewhat nervous and hesitant to use them for finishing blows.

Luckily, he remembered that the Korok at the entrance had never mentioned that he couldn't use the slate as a weapon...or, say, the infinite supply of bombs it could generate. By the time he cleared the first wave of enemies and he could move further into the woods, he was a downright terror, hurling bombs every which way and blowing the monsters to kingdom come.

If the slate was blinking in what Link had come to identify as Sheik's happy face and that worried him a little, he didn't mention it. Blow up enough bokoblins, and maybe Sheik would forget he was angry at Link in the first place.

The swamp was clearly meant to be the most challenging part of the trial, but the Cryonis Rune practically made it a cakewalk.

"See?" he asked Sheik pointedly. "I c-can learn, t-too."

Knowing Sheik, he would have "accidentally" forgotten to mention that rune, just like the time in Zora's Domain, where he'd needlessly risked his life jumping from stone to stone when he could simply have made a series of ice pillars instead.

With the last of the enemies finished, and not a single of the wooden weapons broken, Link was free to access the shrine. This, too, yielded its treasures with no further ado. Almost like they didn't expect anyone to actually reach these places, and preparing no further challenges because that would be a redundant waste of resources.

"Th-Think th-the Tree's trying to m-make a point?" he asked Sheik, whose silence was more than a little annoyed. "M-Me too," he said, nodding. "But wh-what?"

Now I'm watching someone else complete their trial?

He felt a little annoyed that he was putting his own trial on hold in order to follow a tiny little Korok wielding a pair of equally tiny sticks like weapons on his path through the forest. The Korok's mother had been worried sick and begged Link to follow him. Saying no hadn't even occurred to him until later, and by then it was too late, as he crawled through the tall grass at a snail's pace, trying to keep out of sight of the Korok, Oaki.

He didn't even bother looking at the slate. Sheik must have been livid at the indignity of it all.

It wouldn't have been so bad if Oaki didn't keep doubling back on himself, scared of nothing but shadows and the ambient sounds of the forest around him. Granted, the woods were creepy, but this only prolonged what was already a tedious so-called trial. Exactly how this proved Link's worth or conviction or whatever was a damn mystery.

Do us both a favour and turn back, little buddy, he thought as he took the chance to cross the path and hurl himself behind a tree when Oaki's attention was focused on what he thought was some sort of monster inside a hollowed-out log. Come back later when you're not scared of your own shadow.

And how is this different from how you are acting? That nasty little voice in the back of his head was back. At least Oaki's not having panic attacks over nothing, unlike you. Bet you would have willingly gone back to sleep if you thought that was an option. The Deku Tree's right—you're a damned coward.

And he sort of was, wasn't he? He couldn't argue on that point. He could even tell the exact moment he'd become on. The second he'd touched the damned Sword. The moment all the responsibility came to rest on his shoulders, the responsibility that should have been his father's, because what sort of sentient...sapient...whatever Sword would choose a seven-year-old for that sort of duty? No one else had seen a problem with it either, save for the other knights, and that was probably more due to wounded pride than any sort of concern for his wellbeing.

And his father...he'd been upset, but...he was supposed to be, right? He couldn't remember anything else, other than falling asleep on his shoulder as they went home in...where? Castle Town?

His parents...

Had they died when Ganon attacked? Or had they been among those who managed to escape? Had his father fought the enemy, covering everyone else's escape? His mother? And where had Link been in all this? Had they even known he was alive?

His breath hitched as he tried to force those thoughts away. He almost preferred the nasty voice telling him he was a failure. At least those thoughts were verified truths, rather than half-baked theories based on century-old memory that he had, really, no way of knowing was actually real. It had certainly felt real, but still...

"Halfway there!" Oaki announced to himself in an excited voice.

Link shook his head, focusing on the little Korok whose fear seemed to have been banished for a little while by the revelation he was halfway to his destination. His tiny feet barely made a sound as he continued on his way, head bobbing up and down, barely visible over the grass.

Link smiled. It was...cute. Unlike the other Koroks who seemed to enjoy spending their time making Link's life miserable with obtuse puzzles and annoying challenges, Oaki was...well, he was different. So desperate to be considered an adult...even if he seemed afraid of his own shadow at times. Brave, even if there wasn't anything (as far as Link could tell) in this particular part of the woods to be scared of. There didn't need to be, of course. His imagination could easily conjure up the most horrid of beasts seemingly lurking among the trees. Link would know. He could easily imagine some of those himself.

Then he stepped on a branch, which snapped under his boot. He barely managed to dive behind the safety of a log as Oaki's high-pitched voice, shaking with fear, asked, "Is...is someone there?"

Goddess, don't let him see me, Link begged silently. It'll ruin what little we have left of our prides.

As if to taunt him, something else stepped on a branch somewhere ahead of them.

"Aaaahhh! A ghost!" Oaki wailed, immediately turning on his heels and running back the way he came...right towards Link's hiding spot.

Shit, shit, shit!

He heard the pitter-patter of Oaki's feet coming closer and closer, and then the sound of wood hitting wood, and tiny, panicked breathing. Oaki was leaning against the log behind which Link was hiding. Of all the stupid...

"Oh...just a shadow."

Relief flooded them both for entirely different reasons, and Oaki was soon off again...and Link peered out from his hiding spot to see where the Korok was headed. That had nearly given him a heart attack! Muted as he was, he couldn't hear Sheik laughing at him, but he definitely knew the Sheikah was doing just that.

"Sh-Shut up, you," he whispered and tapped the slate.

He trailed after Oaki, keeping a little closer this time. Oaki may have been convinced what he was afraid of was just a shadow, but something had made that second snap, and it had Link slightly on edge. Just in case, he unslung his bow and nocked and arrow. Just in case.

"This isn't so bad," Oaki told himself, a slight waver in his voice from the earlier scare. "I'm not scared at all."

Link couldn't help but grin at that. Such a brave little thing.

"Okay...I'm a little bit scared," Oaki added a few moments later, and Link fought the urge to laugh. Maybe the little Korok was the braver Champion of them. Even had the courage to admit he was a little afraid.

How had Sheik phrased that again? Bravery to the Sheikah was recognising one's fear of something, and then charging forward anyway? Oaki was certainly embodying that saying right now as he continued making his way through the woods.

"Almost there," the little creature told itself.

Link was almost too caught up with silently congratulating Oaki in his thoughts to notice that he wasn't the only one following him. He heard the creature before he saw it, a panting breath as quiet paws stalked their way through the tall grass. A muzzle filled with sharp teeth poked its way out from among the blades, nostrils billowing as it scented the air. The wolf was too focused on Oaki to notice Link...and Oaki too focused on his trial to notice the wolf.

Hylia, guide my hand, Link thought as he raised his bow, aimed, and loosed the arrow. For once his aim wasn't slightly off, and needed no lucky stash of explosives behind his original target to be effective. The arrow buried itself in the wolf's eye and continued directly into its brain. It fell dead in the grass without a sound, snuffed out in a but a moment.

I'm sorry, Link thought as he hurried past the wolf's carcass, trying to catch up with Oaki.

He found Oaki not very far away, jumping excitedly in front of the shrine's entrance. "Woo! I finally made it!"

Link decided that was enough stealth and stood up, walking up to the shrine.

"Yay! I made it! I finished the trial!"

This time Link wasn't careful about not stepping on something, and the mere sound of his footsteps drew Oaki's attention, spinning around to face the intruder.

"Wha...? Who's there?!" he demanded in a voice that was probably meant to sound big and imposing...but was entirely ruined by its trembling quality. Link stood a little straighter, trying to make himself more visible.

"J-Just me," he announced.

"Hey!" Oaki exclaimed. "Are you that hero guy? You know—Mr. Hero?"

"N-Not r—"Link paused, and then nodded. "Y-Yeah, th-that's me." Wouldn't do to disappoint him, now would it?

Oaki seemed excited by the prospect of the Hero having come to watch his triumph, jumping up and down again. "Guess what, Mr. Hero! I did the trial all by myself! Aren't I brave?"

Link didn't fight the smile. "Y-Yeah, definitely the b-bravest Korok I've ever s-seen. B-Braver than me, even!"

Oaki definitely beamed at that comment. "Yahaha!" he shouted in excitement. "Oh, yeah! You're probably here for the shrine, right?" he asked. "The Great Deku Tree said the monk's blessing is waiting in the shrine ahead! Why don't you take a look?"

"I th-think I will," Link said, nodding. "Y-You should head b-back—your mother w-will b-be so proud!"

"I will!" Oaki announced. "See you around, Mr. Hero!"

As Link climbed the dais and made to unlock the shrine with the slate, he heard Oaki's steps pause.

"Um...Mr. Hero?"

Link blinked, turning back to the little Korok. "Yes?"

"I...I may not be as strong and brave as you, but I definitely will be someday! In the meantime, I'll just keep trying!" Oaki made the swear solemnly...and then took off running back the way they had come, as if waiting for a response was too unnerving, leaving Link to stare after him, mouth open.

"O-Okay," he said, mostly to himself, before continuing with his task. He doubted he'd find a challenge inside the shrine, like he hadn't with the others, but the orbs...well, he needed them to grow stronger...and the poor monks inside desperately needed rest. He'd happily grant them that.

Stepping into the elevator and floating down, he couldn't stop thinking about Oaki, however.

Keep trying, huh?

"You're back," the Deku Tree stated when Link stepped into the clearing once more. The sun had risen on his way back from the last trial, and the woods were bathed in gentle, golden light. The atmosphere was anything but peaceful, however, as Link stepped onto the stone platform where the Master Sword rested, giving the Tree a nod.

"I am," he said.

"Chio confirmed that you have completed the trials...and helped little Oaki complete his as well," the Tree noted. "And you did not ask your friend in the slate for help once."

Not that there was anything I needed Sheik's help with, Link thought, shaking his head. "I didn't."

"Might you keep him quiet a little longer?" the Tree requested, surprisingly polite. "I find him...distracting."

"He d-does th-that," Link said, tempted to let Sheik unleash verbal hell on the Tree, but refraining. There was something he wanted to know. "Wh-Why did you doubt th-the S-Sword's choice?"

"She chose a child," the Deku Tree said, frowning. "One that was not prepared for the responsibility of wielding her, of being Hyrule's Champion. You weren't ready, and the weight of it all kept you back, and as a result Hyrule fell. Only luck and Princess Zelda's tenacity kept you alive, ensured that the Sword did not fall into enemy hands."

"I t-tried," Link said, looking down at the blade. "I t-tried so hard—"

"But trying wasn't enough. It never is. She should have found someone else."

"I agree," Link said, nodding. "Sh-She sh-should have. But sh-she didn't. I w-was chosen. And all I c-can d-do is keep g-going."

"Did you not hear me, boy?" the Tree asked. "I said trying isn't enough."

"It has t-to be," Link said, feeling surprisingly calm in the face of the Deku Tree's scepticism. "Wh-What else d-do the t-trials t-teach?"

"That was...I was simply trying to give you some incentive. A desire to fight back. It is not becoming for a Hero to simply roll over and take whatever punishment is laid upon him."

"S-So I am a H-Hero, then?" Link said, looking up at the Tree with a raised eyebrow he hoped was up to Sheik's standards.

"The only one we have," the Tree admitted.

And wasn't that just the saddest thing? Maybe the tree was just as tired of all this crap as he was, and simply lashing out.

"W-Well, then," Link said, putting down his pack and removing his weapons. "If I d-die, c-could you m-make sure Sh-Sheik gets to K-Kakariko Village? His c-clan is th-there."

"I...will try, yes."

It was the best he could hope for, Link supposed. He unclipped the slate and held it up, flicking the mute switch.

"Link, no." Sheik said right away, his tone serious. "You can't. Remember what happened last time!"

"Hard n-not to," Link said, grimacing. "B-But what else c-can I do?"

"Leave. Go somewhere else. Anywhere else. Go to Kakariko and marry Paya and raise cute, socially anxious, stuttering children? Go to the Zora, marry Sidon and...well, I'm not sure how it would work, but also raise cute, socially anxious, stuttering children, this time aquatic Zora-Hylian hybrids? Or adopt! The possibilities are endless, Link!"

And, for some reason, very focused on him raising children. Was Sheik trying to tell him something?

Link shook his head. "T-Tempting, but..."

"...not what a Hero would do in the middle of his quest," Sheik finished. "Yeah, I know."

"We n-need th-the Sword," Link said, as much as he hated to admit it. "We n-need every advantage w-we c-can get."

"...if you fail this time, you'll die," Sheik said quietly. "I won't be able to do anything to stop it. Nor will the twig."

"I b-better not f-fail, then," Link said, carefully placing the slate down on top of his pack. "B-Be right b-back," he said, hoping he sounded confident...and knowing he very much did not.

"Boy..." the Tree said warningly, but Link shook his head.

"Don't get killed by your own sword, Link," Sheik called to him. "That'll just be embarrassing!"

I won't, Link thought, and grabbed the Sword.

You are not the Hero I chose.

The Sword's words immediately filled his head. She—as the Tree had referred to the Master Sword—sounded vaguely accusing, like it was his fault she'd made a mistake in the first place.

I wasn't the Hero you chose back then, Link countered. I never was. Not even at my strongest did I measure up to your demands, your fantasies.

You had the potential, but you failed to live up to it. You did not work hard enough.

I worked myself to the bone. I may not remember much, but I remember training. I remember fighting. I remember doing everything in my power to be worthy.

You did not honour our agreement.

It was an unfair agreement to begin with, forced upon me because you were hurting my father.

You agreed.

Running out of arguments already?

Merely stating fact.

Then let me state some facts as well.

You're right. I'm not the Hero you chose. But I will be someday. I will be. Because I don't have a choice anymore. We don't have a choice. I will fight Ganon...and I will win. But not for some time. There are still Divine Beasts to free, other enemies to defeat. But sooner or later, I will face it...and I will finally have to prove myself the Hero, or die.

And until then?

I will grow stronger. I will fight with all I have. And I will keep trying.

That is it? You will keep trying?

It's all I can do. I cannot be worse than Oaki. If that is not good enough for you...well, then you will simply have to kill me, won't you? And hope that some other poor soul happens to find this place, and proves themselves worthy of wielding you.

It's your choice.

I'm waiting.

It felt like an eternity passed before the Master Sword finally made her decision. Link expected her to reject him. Expected agony like the one his father had felt, and then the great nothing of death.

I accept.