Hope you enjoy!
One my profile there is a link to an art book I've set up for Wild Hero on AO3 if you'd like to see references for characters!
[Words: 3394]
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Chapter 3:
Kakariko Village
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Three things Lynk has acknowledged:
1) Quick thinking and action is a must when fighting Monsters.
2) She doesn't want to fulfil her destiny. At all.
3) Lynk might just have a companion in the shape of a wolf.
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It's the boom of thunder that wakes Lynk but at first, she can't place what exactly the sound was—it was in the far distance and instead of jerking her awake, it was a strangely soothing sound to her ears; an ambience that gently stirred her.
Peeling her heavy lids open, Lynk was met with the sight of a drizzle.
Instantly, she sucked in a breath and scrambled forward to the edge of the wooden structure to better observe the rain. She breathed in the fresh wet smell; it tingled her nose pleasantly.
There was a flash of lightning, then a boom of thunder.
Lynk reached out a hand, catching the water in her hands—she feels her eyes burn.
The ruffing of movement reminded Lynk of the fact she had made the acquaintance of a strange wolf beast. The wolf moved, sitting beside her to watch the rainfall alongside her.
Her hand drop to her lap, enjoying the feeling of fresh air in her lungs, the smell of wet earth and the sounds. It…it was relaxing, it soothed something inside her that had previously been...Lynk wasn't sure what to call the feeling. Unsettled? Nerves? Fear? She's not sure, nor does Lynk want to spend time on it. Not when the feeling wiggled inside her, leaving her chest tight and uncomfortable.
After some time, Lynk becomes aware the wolf had turned to watch her instead of the rain but seemed quite content to just silently do that, not in any hurry to get her moving again. Lynk supposed whatever this beast was, he wasn't an average wolf clearly.
Still, Lynk wasn't interested in making any progress in the rain being ill-prepared for such weather. From the look of the clouds, it didn't look like it would be a long rainfall—or much long anyway, she wasn't sure how long it had been raining while she slept on unaware.
So, she turned her attention to the wolf, he was taller than her when both of them were sat. She blinked and the beast tilted its head.
Lynk glanced ahead again, feeling the urge to speak but felt stupid doing so. Especially with the way her voice was currently—she couldn't get a full sentence out, her voice so rusty. She sighed and reached up a hand to rub her throat absently. On the other hand, her voice wouldn't make any progress if she didn't at least try…
The beast rumbled and rested its head on its crossed paws, head turned towards her. There was an air of patience surrounding the beast.
Lynk also supposed she should be freaking out about said beast; it had taken down a monster all by its lonesome with just its teeth and claws. All of which were sharp and dangerous, and yet, Lynk didn't feel an ounce of fear towards the creature.
Finally: "…are you?"
Urgh.
The beast blinked slowly, an ear twitched.
Lynk sighed, head rolling back in annoyance.
It nosed her leg and she looked back down at it—she really needed to learn its gender, calling the beast an it felt degrading—as the beast huffed curiously.
"…Un'stand, 'ight?"
It nodded.
Good.
Lynk thinks it might be male—she doesn't know why, she just does, "…Male?"
Another nod. Ha, she was right. Lynk nodded this time, her questions sated for the moment.
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Lynk makes the acquaintance of a man, Beetle, he was…a bit strange but Lynk found him endearing and it put her at ease. She sells the gems and geodes she and Wolfie, as she'd promptly dubbed him—he didn't protest too much—had found during their walk. It gives her a starting base to buy anything in the future she might need and the knowledge she could sell the pretty gems was relieving.
Lynk ponders on the idea of trying to catch a wild horse but it…she felt put off. Lynk didn't know what she was feeling nor how to put it into words—which would be a struggle to voice them anyway and not in any way new, it was just like everything else about her—and so Lynk puts that idea on the back burner for now and continues on foot.
Having activated the second Tower and gaining a Shrine detection thing on the Slate, finding Shrines was far easier now. Wandering slightly off course, she knocked out the ones she came across around the Duelling Peaks. Wolfie wasn't able to go in them with her, so he waited patiently outside for her. Doing the Shrines also gave her stuff, new weapons and shields, rupees and gems. Lynk knew in no time she'd have a good amount of money so she wouldn't have to worry.
When it begins to grow dark once more—Wolfie had very clearly prompted Lynk when she should eat throughout the day and take breaks, thank the Goddesses for this wonderful beast—she hadn't made all that much progress, since… Lynk had gotten…distracted a few times…
…okay more than a few.
Could anyone blame her? She can't remember anything! So, what if she sees something fascinating and wants to get up close too—
—what do you mean she shouldn't get up close to the bear?
—She wants to see the strange ghost bunny!
—Why can't she climb that rock face to see that strange rock formation that looks like it might be hiding something? Okay, this one she might done anyway but! But! She found a wick flame sword which she promptly rubbed in Wolfie's face. He looked…disgruntled but also acknowledged her find as a good one. Haha!
Lynk learnt Wolfie was very much a joy kill if he caught her trying to do something fun before she could carry it out.
(Lynk promising herself she will ride a bear, even if that meant she had to sneak away to do so.)
The idea of sleeping at the stable gives Lynk a bunch of anxiety so despite Wolfie's attempts to get her there, Lynk puts her foot down on this one. She can't—the idea of sleeping in a vulnerable position with people she in no way knows makes her knees lock up and chest clench tightly.
She cooks there using the pot however, but only something light, her stomach was still getting used to food again after all this time before finding a secluded location in the woods and curling up there.
Wolfie sighs heavily, accepting defeat and curls around Lynk to keep her warm but she's already out when he does so.
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Come early morning, both are up and moving. This time without any distractions! At least until Hestu, where she gets his maracas back as well as a few Korok Seeds she'd already gotten. Then Lynk makes her way to Kakariko Village—getting two more Korok Seeds as she goes, score!—then finally she and Wolfie step into the quaint and homely village.
The first person she meets is an elderly lady, whose sitting beside a small fire, gently rubbing her ankle. She waves of Lynk's concerned noise.
"Just twisted my ankle. I'm sorry you had to see me like that." She gets back to her feet and sighs. Then her eyes drop to the Slate, a recognition flashed into them, "Say, traveller…where did you get that object hanging from your waist?"
"…" Lynk has no idea what to say and so makes an awkward, shy gesture. Wolfie shook his head.
The lady chuckles softly at Lynk's awkwardness and her companion's reaction, "If you are who I think, you best head on down and see our Elder, Lady Impa."
"Ah…W-air?" Lynk manages to ask.
The lady turns and points to the house built upon a rock formation surrounded by water, raised about all the other surrounding homes.
"Lady Impa's house is below Lantern Falls—just over there."
Lynk gives a small gratefully smile as she walks on.
However when she approaches the stairs to the house, she finds it guarded.
"Holt," the slimmer Sheikah demands, "State your business."
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck! Lynk coughs, she opens her mouth then clamps it closed knowing nothing will make it out.
However, before Lynk can freak out too much, the other guard's eyes drop to the Slate at her hip. Again, familiarity flicker into his eyes.
"Is that…a Sheikah Slate?" he questions, eyes darting up to Lynk's. She shuffles but nods. The man lets out a breath, staring at her in shock and what she thinks might look like tears in his eyes, "That would mean you are the ancient hero."
Lynk doesn't feel much like a hero.
The two guards shared a look.
"Please forgive us for behaving so rudely." The taller one apologised, "Lately, there have been increasing reports of Yiga Clan activity in the area, and after what happened to Dorian's wife…We must be careful."
(Yiga Clan? Lynk would ask about that later.)
Dorian nodded and bowed deeply at the waist, the other copied. "Lady Impa has spoken of your coming for many years, and for you to come now…it is an honour, Lady Lynkura."
Lynk wished she was anywhere but here now; the few other people around glanced their way having overheard the conversation. Her cheeks went warm, tinting the tip of her ears red.
They stepped aside, "Please go ahead."
Lynk nodded shakily and Wolfie brushed his nose up against her arm to remind her to move. As she walked up the steps, she heard whispers break out over the village.
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The room was dimly lit with lanterns hanging from the ceiling support beams. The walls adorned with varies paintings and tapestries, many of which featured the familiar Sheikah eye. Down the centre of the room was a long dark blue rug and small square pillows lining it either side forming neat rows.
At the centre back, sat upon several red pillows stacked to form a seat, was the Sheikah Elder.
Slowly, Lynk stepped forward, noticing a younger woman with a Sheikah eye tattooed on her forehead, who Lynk thought to be quite pretty, with long white hair pulled up into a heart-shaped bun while the rest hung free, stood off to the side. She clutched her hands above her heart, looking anxious—Lynk knew how she felt.
When she noticed Lynk looking at her, her face turned pink and quickly looked away.
Lynk approached the older woman, whom she assumed to be Impa. She looked—ancient, ironically.
"So…" Impa spoke, lips curling into a slightly toothless smile. She looked up at her with kind grey eyes, "You're finally awake. It has been quite some time, Lynk."
Hesitantly, and with Wolfie's prompting again, kneeling on the ground before her so Lynk could get a better look. Perhaps in some useless hope it would jog something in her mind. Nothing.
"Are you…Impa?" her voice, still just as rusty and useless, is hesitant and soft.
"I am much older now, of course, but…" Impa looked her consideringly, "Do you remember me?"
Lynk's eyes fell to the ground, a sense of guilt festering inside her as she shook her head.
"Do you…have any memories of before?"
Lynk's lips quivered and for a long beat where she visibly struggled to get her words out—why was she so—Lynk only managed to piece together a crude sentence, "Body…remembers, feels natural."
"Hmm..." the older woman mused, staring at her with sharp eyes. "Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise." Lynk jerked in surprise. "I'm not sure that many people would like to remember the moment of their death."
A chill runs down her spine, feels the blood drain from her face. Wolfie drops his head onto her lap and her hands instinctively strokes at his forehead in an attempt to keep calm and keep her hands busy.
"You defended Princess Zelda until you could stand no longer. After that, she used her holy powers to protect you long enough to give directions to have you placed in a sacred slumber."
"Sh'ine of…Res-uh'tion." Damnit to hell.
"Yes! After you were placed in the Shrine, she went alone to face Ganon. But before she did, the Princess entrusted me with the task of guiding you when you awoke. She believes freeing the Divine Beasts will be the key to defeat Ganon."
Lynk nodded, seems reasonable to her
"Before I go any further, I know you must have many questions and you are likely unsure of your place in all of this. It does not give me any pleasure to admit to you I am about to place more burden on your shoulders. However, I believe before I allow you to go off on your own—"
Wolfie huffed and Lynk bowed her head, hiding her grin into his fur.
"Ah, my apologies," Impa hummed, eyeing the beast thoughtfully, "Before I allow you and your friend to go off on your own, I think helping you refamiliarizing yourself with this world is more important."
Lynk looked up, ready to protest—the Princess needed her! She'd waited long enough!
"I know that look, Lynk, but please hear me out," Impa continued, raising a hand to silences her before Lynk could verbally protest and Wolfie shuffled more into her lap as if to keep her seated. Traitor. "You have only been awake for a short amount of time, and I can tell you are struggling. I wish to help prepare you better before letting you wander off. The first would be your…I do not wish to be rude, but it seems you're struggling with speech, whether through the lack of use or any other, I would like you to be taught sign language. It will greatly help you with your continued struggle to find yourself."
Lynk breathed—so…she didn't have to force herself to speak? It felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
She conceded to Impa's judgement.
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At first, I was hesitant to agree to stay in Kakariko but after Paya, Impa's granddaughter, started teaching me sign, I finally got why it would be best to linger until a time I am capable. I have been given a bed in their home, the bed that belongs to Paya's brother, Sheik, who is out currently.
I will admit I am curious about what he does and so asked Paya during our lesson; Sheik hunts down the Yiga. The Yiga Clan are a group of rogue Sheikah that split a long time ago and worship Ganon. I am unsure why anyone would wish to worship a symbol of pure and total destruction.
Impa said keeping this journal was a good idea when I managed to sign it. She theorizes that my struggle to speak might be the trauma I suffered, and this is my body's attempt to help me in some strange way. I am unsure how exactly anxiety and selective mutism are coping mechanisms, but the brain is a complicated thing.
At least that I can remember anyway…
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Paya helps Lynk get freshened up with a bath and teaches her several different simple hairstyles. For now, the braid was Lynk's go too.
The first night, Lynk discovers she can't, for the life of her, sleep on a bed—it was to…comfortable and—and—and she ends up pulling the blanket off the bed and onto the floor where Wolfie lay.
Impa had been more than willing to humour her need for Wolfie's presences, even calling him a support animal which Lynk had no idea what that was, but Wolfie seemed to by the knowing glance he'd given Impa.
Just how intelligent was this beast?
Still, the next morning, Lynk completes the Shrine in Kakariko Village and eats breakfast with Impa and Paya.
Impa talks of Purah, her sister and a Sheikah scientist. Someone that Lynk would need to see to fill in the missing pieces of the Slate. Apparently, Princess Zelda had been quite a traveller and loved to take photos with it but currently, it was all missing from the Slate.
It would be likely if Lynk travelled to them, she might be able to recover fragments.
It was something, Lynk supposed.
But she wasn't allowed to leave until Impa considered her sign skills suitable, but the good thing was Lynk took to signing easily as breathing. Getting her head down and focused was strangely easy.
Lynk learns…she has family.
By blood, the two girls, Koko and Cottla, are related to her. Their mother had been married to Dorian, the guard she'd met the first day. She learns her birth mother had passed away when Lynk had been seven and years later her father had married a Sheikah woman by the name Leona and they'd had a baby girl, born after the Calamity. Leona had passed away two decades ago, never having remarried, and Lynk feels a crippling pain—someone she had seen as a mother—had she just waken up sooner, Lynk could have—
But Lynk learns the way Dorian had gotten teary-eyed was because Leona had always spoken of Lynk so fondly and lovingly over the years. Technically the girls were Lynk's great-nieces, their mother Leona's daughter.
(Where daughters a common trait for Leona's side of family or was it just a coincidence that they all been girls?)
Cottla and Koko were more than happy to call her Auntie Lynk—it startled Lynk so hard the first time, she'd dropped her bowl, spilling soup. The girls had immediately apologised and Lynk franticly waved them off to sign it was okay.
Once the girls had gone to bed, it was just Lynk and Dorian.
"The kids would always go to either Impa or Leona to hear stories about you," he tells her softly, "You were an inspiration to girls especially. The first recorded female knight. The first female recorded wielder of the Master Sword. Yet you never shied away from your femineity either, a perfect balance supposedly, but Leona was more than eager to share your less than graceful moments too."
For some reason, Lynk feels embarrassed and gets the faint thought of something to do with dresses? She can't grasp the thought, can't keep hold of it but Lynk supposed it was something—something to give Lynk hope that she might get fragments and pieces of her memories back.
When she's not learning with Paya or talking with Impa, Lynk finds a comfort with her nieces. The two certainly find Wolfie cute—he seemed annoyed at being called cute but put up with the two girls wanting to pet him.
…he seemed to enjoy the petting quite a lot, something Lynk kept note off.
Lynk learns she can cook well when she helps Koko in her quest to make meals her mother had once made for them. Learns she enjoys cooking; finds she wants to learn more recipes. Koko lets her borrow a book with all sort of recipes in which Lynk makes notes of in her Slate.
Early mornings, Lynk likes to find somewhere secluded to run through her stances with a blade to hopefully help her body grow more muscles and refamiliarize the weight of a weapon in constant use because, despite her knowledge and skills, her body couldn't take the use for an extended amount of time.
She spars with some of the Sheikah as well.
She helps Cado when his Cuccos escape their pen and—Lynk would like to state, she adored those things. Wolfie seemed wary and she has no idea why! If fact, one Cado had named Fifi loved to be carried around in Lynk's arms and if not, she was following Lynk!
Cado had mourned sadly at the favouritism and Lynk giggled.
She giggled.
So, what do you think about Lynk's relations to Cottla and Koko? ;)