"Link…? I'm waiting for you. The time has come for you to awaken. You are vital to a mission of great importance…Link…"
"The…the blue angel?"
"Wakey wakey, Mr. Hero."
"Nngh…what?"
Link's eyelids fluttered open, but the veil of sleep didn't vanish. A pair of rusty red eyes stared at him from two inches above.
"Aaah!"
He jumped and sat up straight. The movement sent a flare of pain up his side.
"Agh!"
"Hey, you better watch that cut of yours."
Link squinted in the darkness. A bleak coat of angry clouds covered the night sky, so not a single star lit the earth below. It was quiet, apart from the whispering voice beside him.
He put his hand to his side, felt a thick linen, and followed it with his fingertips. He found that it wrapped around his stomach and shoulder.
"That bokoblin got me good…Oh no! Princess Zelda!"
He jumped again, sent up another flare, and quickly sat down again to cringe at the pain in his side.
"Cut that out, would ya? You're gonna reopen that wound if you keep jumping like that."
"But Zelda! She's–"
"I know. She's gone."
"Gone?… You don't mean she's… dead?"
"No one knows. We haven't seen her since the parade. She's missing."
"…Where's my shirt?"
"Over here. I cleaned off the blood for you."
"Thanks, but…where are we? It's so dark. Who are you?"
"Link, I'm shocked! It hasn't been that long since we met. Don't you recognize me?"
He rubbed his eyes. Despite the night, he could make out the woman's ponytail and dancer's suit.
"…Din?"
"Bingo! Looks like someone's finally waking up."
"But where are we? What happened?…Are we even in the city?"
"You've been out cold for a while. You saw for yourself, right? How that Ghirahim guy stabbed the king in front of everyone, and then how that army of bokoblins flooded the city?"
"Yeah, but where did they come from? How'd they get in the city in the fi–"
"Get down!"
Din shoved Link's head onto the ground.
"Ow ow ow! Not so hard!"
"Shh!"
They laid still and held their breath, watching the street. Link was about to force Din's hand off when the sound of hard metal hammered. His heart began to race. The metal clomped steadily back and forth; heavily, then lightly, left and right. It grew louder at first, but Link gulped when he realized what the metal sounds were; the sound of footsteps getting closer.
"What is that? Din, what is that?!"
"Just be quiet," she hissed. "Don't move."
Link stared out into the street. The clanking drew closer and closer until it appeared from behind the alley corner. The morbid silhouette before them clashed against the menacing cloud cover; a colossal suit of armor had stomped into view. Spikes protruded from the armor's thick shoulder plates, and it carried a fierce pike in its gauntlet. The armor creaked as the helmet turned and looked around. Link froze when bloodshot eyes glared out at him from inside the helmet. His heart felt like it would explode out of his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the armor to raise its pike and slaughter him any second. Instead, it turned forward and stomped away. It was only after the clanging footsteps faded into the night that Din removed her hand from Link's back and they both sat up.
"What was that thing?! There wasn't a person in that armor, was there?"
"That was a dark knight. It's a monster of evil created by sucking the soul out of a soldier, leaving nothing but an empty shell of armor."
"What's it doing here?"
"Probably the same thing as the bokoblins, and Ghirahim. I'll spare you the details and make a long story short. After the Bokoblins attacked, they were followed by all the other members of the goblin clan; bulblins, moblins, you name it. They all started laying siege to the city and forcing everyone to take shelter, so now there isn't anyone on these streets but us. Everyone's too scared to leave their homes or the buildings they've been locked into. They attacked anyone who's tried to leave the city."
"Why don't they want anyone out on the streets?"
"I don't know, but get this; they won't let anyone into the Temple of Time, either."
"Why not?"
"Beats me. During the fiasco at the parade, that's where most people headed, since it's nearby and the obvious choice for sanctuary. But when they got there, the dark knights were standing guard at the doors. They struck down anyone who tried to go inside."
"Sounds fishy to me."
"Me too, but let's not sit here talking about it. We can't stay here."
"Where are we anyway?"
"One of the back alleys of the city. I saw you pass out on the Royal Float, so I grabbed you and brought you here to bandage you up. You're pretty heavy, by the way. Now follow me."
Din stood up to leave, but Link grabbed her arm.
"Wait! Didn't you see anyone else? Where's Malon?"
"Malon? Oh that's right, you were traveling with others."
"Did you see her? Do you know where she is?"
"I'm sorry, Link, but I was so focused on keeping you safe that I didn't see where your girlfriend went."
"She's not my girlfriend. She's my sister."
"Really? I didn't think– no, never mind. If she was smart like everyone else, then she's probably inside, too, worried sick about you."
"What about you?"
"Me?" Din scratched the top of her head. "I'm fine if that's what you're asking."
"Why did you rescue me?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why did you go out of your way to pull me out of that mess and treat my wounds? You said yourself that I was heavy to carry, so why go through the trouble?"
"Link, when the bokoblins started attacking, I was fighting hard against the crowds to help as many people as I could, not just you."
"Where are they? Are all these other people hanging out here in this alley with us?"
"Of course not. They're in the nearby buildings, kee-"
"Why didn't you send me inside, too?"
"I had to wrap up that cut of yours, didn't I? You're awfully snappy for someone whose life I saved."
"It doesn't take hours to wrap a cut, does it?"
"Well, no but-"
"Then why the heck did you rescue me if you were just gonna leave me outside with you where you knew it was dangerous?!"
"Let go of me, would ya?!"
She pushed Link away, and he released her.
"Geez, you were gonna break my arm off!"
"…Sorry…"
Link stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared at his feet. Din looked back and forth between him and around the corner of the alley. Everytime she tried to catch his gaze, he looked away. It was a long time before either of them spoke.
"Look, you," Din finally said. "I already know what you're gonna ask, so just ask and I'll tell you what I know."
"…How do you know my name? Even before we'd even met, you knew my name. And it's not just my name, is it? You recognized me when we passed by your troupe! You know who I am…"
"Yes, I do."
"A-and…you can hear what I'm thinking, as if I was speaking out loud! How can you do that? No one's been able to do that except Navi and Malon, and Malon can only guess what I'm thinking because she knows me well enough!"
"You already established that I know you, did you not, Mr. Hero?"
"And that! Why do you keep calling me that?! I'm the farthest thing from a hero you could get! But it's not just you who has called me that; random strangers in the city call me that too and I don't know why! I've done nothing hero-like!"
Din remained silent while he pleaded with his eyes.
"Who…who are you? …Why does it feel like I've met you before?"
"…I'll be honest, Link," Din sighed. "I'm not supposed to be talking to you right now. If my boss finds out about this, she'll be pretty angry with both of us."
"Your boss? Who–"
"So let's just put it this way for now. You and I are a lot more alike than you realize. Yes, I know you, and from what you've said tonight, it's obvious that I know you better than you know yourself."
"Now wait just a–"
"How are those nightmares treating you, by the way? Seen Ganondorf around lately?"
"Ganondorf? Who? No, wait, how do you know about my-"
"Don't you think it's odd that you can read and understand Old Hylian, a language that's supposed to have been dead for thousands of years?"
"Din, stop for a–"
"And why do you think of all the people in the entire city, it was you, a so-called simple farm boy, who was given the task of assisting a fairy of Faron in locating the Hero of Time?"
"How do you–?!"
"Has anyone told you to wake up yet, or more specifically, 'awaken?'"
Din began to remove her gold bangles. They glinted as they clinked to the ground.
"And how about that mark on your hand, huh? Does yours bug you as much as mine does me?"
She held up her right hand and it began to glow. Three golden triangles radiated on the back, and for the first time Link could clearly see Din's serious face in that dark alley. His mouth fell open.
"Who… are you?!"
"I know who I am, Link. The question you should be asking is, 'who are you?'"
"…"
"…thing over here!"
The two of them started at the sound. Link blinked and Din was gone.
"W-wait! Where are you?"
"Up here."
His head shot up to see Din standing on the roof of the building above him.
"You must know something! Anything about what's happening to me! I'm begging you, please! I have to know!"
"Don't even worry about it, kiddo. The fact that Hyrule City's under attack like this, means you're bound to find out any second now."
She saluted him and turned on her heel.
"See you 'round, Mr. Hero!"
"No! Wait!"
Link slammed his fists hopelessly against the stone wall as Din hopped away and was gone forever.
"I think he's in here!"
The light of a latern whisked around the corner into the dark alley, followed by the bright bouncing bulb of a fairy.
"LINK!" Navi cried. "Thank goodness!"
She flew headfirst into his chest, wrapping her arms around him as best as she could.
"I thought I'd never see you again!"
Link rubbed his eyes to see who held the blinding light.
"We've been looking for you since the parade," Sir Raven said as he put down the lantern. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. I'm fine…"
Navi sensed the bitterness of his words and jerked up immediately.
"Link? What's wrong?"
"What happened to your shirt?"
"What? Oh, it's over here."
Link snatched his mended and cleaned sweater from off the ground. Din's gold bangles laid beside it, so he plucked those up as well.
"She forgot these…"
"Link!" Navi gasped. "Why are you all wrapped up in bandages?"
"One of the bokoblins attacked me at the parade. Which reminds me…"
He turned angrily to Raven.
"Where the heck were you when the king was attacked?!"
"Link, calm down."
"Or when the bokoblins started hacking away at everyone?! The Knights of Hyrule were right in front of the Royal Float when everything happened, so why didn't you do something?!"
"Link, listen to me!" Raven grabbed him by his shoulders.
"I promise I will explain everything, but right now we are risking our lives just standing out here in the open. We've got to get back to the tavern before either of us are found. Do you understand?"
"…Yeah."
"Good. Now put your shirt on and follow me."
Raven retrieved his lantern and blew out the wick. Navi hid carefully in Link's hair while he fit his sweater over his head.
"Duck!"
They hugged the wall and froze when another dark knight clunked past.
"Can you lead the way, Navi?"
"I'll try."
She floated a few feet in front of them and cautiously lit the area ahead. With her natural light to guide them, Raven and Link traversed through the alleys and down the streets, avoiding main routes where they could and ducking out of sight whenever a moblin or another dark knight approached. They steadily made their way to Telma's Tavern.
"We're almost there," Raven whispered.
They finally entered the familiar alley, and came down the steps that led to the inn. Malon was standing outside the entrance.
"Link!" She sobbed as she rushed out to meet them. "Thank God you're okay!"
"Malon, I told you to wait inside," pleaded Raven. "It's not safe out here."
"I couldn't just sit around and do nothing!"
She threw her arms around her brother.
"Thank goodness you found him! Are you all right? What is this?!"
She lifted the corner of Link's shirt, spying the linen.
"You got hurt again, didn't you?! Dangit, Link!"
"Leave me alone."
Link shoved her hand away and marched into the bar, slamming the door open. The people inside jumped, but relaxed upon seeing him.
"Geez, boy!" Telma barked. "You dang near scared the crap out of us opening the door like that."
Instead of Telma's usual crowd of rowdy customers, the tables had been cleared away, and women and children were huddled together on the ground, wrapped in blankets and sharing food. Link's heart broke upon seeing the group.
"Don't you dare treat me like this!" Malon screamed as she marched in after him. "I didn't spend the rest of today worrying myself sick over you just to get pushed aside!"
He sighed.
"I'm sorry, Malon. I didn't mean it."
Raven walked in, removed his cloak, and hung it on a nearby rack. Link collapsed into the nearest bar stool, and Navi perched on his shoulder.
"This is really happening…"
"Sure is," Telma sighed. "We weren't at war before, but we are now."
"…Damn."
"Link, let me look at your injury," Malon begged as she sat next to him. "Please."
Link lifted his shirt for Malon to see, but she furrowed her brow.
"This linen is wrapped too well. Who did this, Link?"
"Haven't I gotten hurt enough to know how to take care of my own injuries by now?"
"No. You suck at first aid, Link. Now who did this?"
"Okay fine, you got me. Din helped me out, until Sir Raven found me."
"Who?"
"The lady Rio danced with earlier. You were there, don't you remember? Speaking of, where's Rio?"
"Boo!" Rio leapt from behind the bar counter.
"There he is."
"Aww, you weren't scared?"
"Rio!" Malon shouted angrily at him. "We're a little busy!"
"Hey, you found Link! Glad you made it back, man. I'd have gone to help look for you, but you know…"
Link fiddled with Din's bangles, looking them over and over.
"Link?" Navi asked. "You know I can read your mind, right?"
"…"
"Link, please tell me what's wrong. Your thoughts are so jumbled and mixed up…"
He lifted up his left hand. Finding it still wrapped, he ripped away at the dirty piece of cloth. His hand was clammy and white, but there was no golden glow.
"Hey there, Link."
Ashei moved from the other side of the bar and planted herself in the seat beside him.
"Rough day, huh?"
"Isn't it for everyone?"
"Good point," she laughed. "And to make matters worse, the unknown soldiers have gone evil. I knew they–"
"Unknown soldiers?"
"Didn't ya know?"
"No. How are they part of this?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Link," Raven explained, taking the seat beside Ashei. "It's why my troops and I weren't able to expel the bokoblins. When the king was attacked, I turned back to see what the commotion was, but I was attacked myself."
"By who?"
"Ain't it obvious? He was attacked by one of his own so-called!"
"I would've been stabbed in the back if one of my loyal privates hadn't warned me."
"Ya were stabbed in the back, damn it all! I knew those unknown soldiers were no good!"
"Great, so now we've got the goblins, the dark knights, and the unknown soldiers too?"
"Nah, Link. It ain't that simple."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't ya notice while you were outside?"
"The unknown soldiers are the dark knights. They gave up their souls for evil powers."
"Those dark knights ya saw marchin' up the streets are traitors! No good, back-stabbing, murderous, worthless–"
Raven touched Ashei's soldier and pointed to Link.
"What?"
Link had laid his head on the counter and covered his ears with his hands.
"A bad dream. It's just another bad dream. Just like Din said."
"Hasn't anyone told you to wake up yet?"
"Yes, damn it, they have! It's all I want to do! I just wake up from this nightmare! This place is driving me crazy!"
"Mommy," a girl's voice whispered from the group huddled on the floor. "It's a hero."
Link looked away from the bar counter toward the hostages.
"Everyone's staring at me…"
"Malon, honey," Telma beckoned with her finger. "Why don't you help me get some beds ready for these folks? Those poor kids must be getting tired."
"Yes, ma'am," Malon murmured and pushed off the stool.
"I'll go with ya," Ashei groaned and followed them up the stairs. A knock came frome the tavern door, and Raven went to answer.
"Password?"
"Medilia."
He opened the door and stepped aside. The person on the other side entered.
"Link!" Navi finally demanded. "What's this about triangles on your hand?!"
Sir Raven shot a glance toward the fairy.
"I heard you thinking it! You've been thinking about it since we found you tonight! Tell me the truth!"
"I don't know, okay? It was a few days ago, but I haven't seen them since! It's no big deal!"
"Yes it is! It's bothering you so much that you won't stop thinking about it!"
"Navi, shut up, would you?"
"Wha–Shut up?! Why I–"
Navi grabbed his shirt collar and tugged as hard as she could.
"You jerk! I outta slap you! Tell me to shut up, will ya?!"
"Geez Link, what's your deal? She's just talkin' to ya."
Rio touched Link's shoulder, but he flinched at the touch and turned away.
"Pfft! Fine," Rio scoffed. "Try ta help a guy out…"
Navi released Link's shirt and stomped her feet in the air.
"You jerk! I was worried about you! We all were, but all you can think about are your own problems and your own self! Don't you think we've got more important things to worry about than your stupid triangles or your stupid nightmares?! We're in big trouble! We're locked in here and no one's coming to save us!"
She flew off in a huff, heading up the stairs of the inn.
"I know, Navi. I know…"
"Anything new, Adelz?" Raven asked, and Link looked up. Sure enough, it was the same red-eyed individual in disguise that he'd bumped into the previous night.
"Unfortunately, yes. The worst has come to pass."
"With regards to what?"
"His Royal Majesty did not survive his assassination attempt."
A hush fell upon the room. Link clenched his fists tightly.
"Is there…" Raven trailed off, then tried again. "Is there any news on the princess?"
"No. We're searching to the best of our abilities, but she is nowhere to be found."
"This isn't good."
Now it was Raven's turn to put his head on the counter and cover his ears with his hands.
"No king, no heir to the throne, no second in command, no intel, and our army has been decimated from within our own ranks. The only ones we have to blame for this catastrophe are a self-proclaimed demon lord…and ourselves."
"I'm such an idiot! I was there! I could've saved her! She was right there! I could've saved Princess Zelda and this wouldn't be nearly as bad! But– but…I'm too weak…I'm too weak…I wish I was stronger…I wish I could help! But I'm so confused…"
Raven lifted his head up and stared into his palms.
"I should've seen this coming…I should've tqntxnu cqn antfaub ofa zlbnyo…"
"What?"
Link cocked his head and whipped his head toward Raven.
"Reu vo lfd qru xefje, jqrc jfdyu lfd qrin ufen?"
"V ufe'c xefj."
"What?! What are you saying?!"
"V'z bdan bqn'b ryy avpqc. Jn'an ufvep ninalcqvep jn tre, Arine."
Link strained his ears, but no matter how hard he listened, the words coming from Raven and Adelz's mouths continued to string along in gibberish.
"What's going on?! Wha– what's happening to me?!"
He slapped his hands against his ears, then out of frustration smacked his head against the bar counter.
"Link? Ran lfd ryavpqc?"
"Why can't I understand them?! It's like he's speaking another language!"
He jumped from the bar and shook his head. By now, all eyes in the tavern were on him. Ashei, carrying blankets under her arms, came down the stairs to the spectacle.
"Jqrc cqn qnyy? Jqrc'b jafep jvcq lfd? Link? Link!"
She dropped the blankets, strode up to him and grasped his shoulders.
"Berg fdc fo vc! Jrxn dg, jfdyu lr?! Eriv! Pnc ufje qnan!"
"…Master…"
"!"
His eyes zipped to the tavern door.
"What…was…"
"…Master…Link…"
He pushed Ashei's hands slowly away and stepped toward the door.
"I'm not the only who heard that, am I?"
He looked back at Raven and Ashei, but neither spoke. He turned and put his hand on the door knob.
"Link! Jrvc!"
Malon sprinted down the stairs and grabbed Link's hand.
"Ran lfd vebren?! Lfd tre'c pf fdc cqnan!"
"Someone's calling my name… I have to see who it is…"
"Jqrc?!" Navi bobbed in front of his face. "Link, lfd'an cryxvep pvssnavbq!"
"Master Link."
"Malon, Navi, I'm…I'm sorry."
He gently took Malon's hand, put it to her side, and looked sadly at her one last time before cracking open the door. He peeked out the crack and saw nothing, so he opened it all the way, and closed the door behind him.
"Can you hear me, the way I hear you?"
"Master."
Link ignored the pain from his wound and the darkness of the alley as he followed the voice. He moved further and further away from the tavern until he came to the familiar court, but still, he saw no one.
"Where are you?"
"Master Link."
The unnatural voice filled his ears and brain, and he turned to the stairs. There she was, hovering over the landing. Her silk arms flowed like fabric as she levitated. She gazed at him with her blue iris-less eyes. Glimmers emitted from the diamond-shaped gem infused to her chest.
" …It's you."
Link took two nervous steps up the stairs, and she drifted away.
"Wait, where are you going?"
He jumped up the remaining stairs and followed after her. Every time he moved close, she drifted a little further and further, never taking her eyes from him, and never drifting out of sight.
"You called for me, didn't you? Why do you keep flying away?"
He sprinted out of the court and ran after the strange woman in blue.
"How are you flying? Are you really an angel? Who are you?"
And so, Link chased the angel. The buildings of Hyrule city whirred by in a haze as he sprinted past them. The clouds above flew as fast as him but never left the sky. There wasn't anyone in the city other than the two of them; no goblin, dark knight, or human tried to stop him, so he kept running. The more he ran, the more his legs and mind went numb.
"It's strange. It feels… like I'm asleep…and I'm waking up."
A foot flew out in Link's path, and he tripped on it without noticing it. He crashed onto the cobblestone, scraping his hands and knees.
"There you are," a gnarly voice growled. Link flipped onto his back and was face to face with a dark knight.
"…Wallace?"
"Now's my chance for some payback, you rotten vermin. The Master will be pleased when I present him your bleeding cor–"
A blinding flash sent the corrupted Wallace groaning and shrinking away. The angel drifted over to the dark knight, glaring angrily at him.
"No malevolent force will interfere in my mission to awaken the True Hero," she proclaimed in her geometric voice. "Begone with you."
"What is this?! I– AAGH!"
Her body's light grew more and more brilliant until Link shielded his eyes. Just when he thought he'd go blind, the light faded and he looked back. The dark Wallace had vanished.
"Where is he? What…what did you do?"
In lieu of answering, she looked up and away from him. Link followed her line of sight.
"You led me here…to the Temple of Time?"
The lamps of the cathedral weren't lit, but the granite structure glimmered in the night's atmosphere. The marble and bronze statues of the Heroes surrounding the entrance cast their silhouettes against the sky, piercing the foreboding storm clouds with their righteous blades. Link noticed the face of the giant classical clock on the tower; it read five minutes till midnight.
The blue angel drifted up the wide stairs, and Link followed. A giant gold-leaf lock sealed the bronze temple doors tight.
"Why did you lead me here?"
"Please place your hand on the seal of the door."
It was the first time she'd spoken to him directly. He followed her direction immediately, placing his right hand on the door.
"That hand is incorrect. Please place your other hand on the seal."
"Oh, yeah."
Link lifted his left hand, but before doing as instructed, he caught a glimpse of the back. Three golden triangles glowed there on his hand. He placed his marked hand on the door. The lock reacted by creaking and falling from the door with a clang. The doors groaned as they slowly swung open.
"Please follow me."
She floated through the entrance with Link beside her. Chanting echoed deep from within the temple.
"That sounds beautiful. I wonder if it's the sages' singing that Sir Raven told me about."
The eyes of the stained-glass Heroes bore out of the windows and watched them as he and the blue angel crossed the nave of the temple to the altarpiece, which stood ventral of the temple's inner chamber. A deep crimson felt was spread delicately upon its platform, and an inscription of ancient letters was engraved into the black granite face of the altar.
"Now, Master. Stand before the altar you see here, then take the Ocarina of Time from your person and play the Song of Time."
"The what and the what?"
"I sense a wavering disruption in the chronological dimension, albeit minute, emanating from your person, and my readings indicate that this disruption is being caused by the ocarina in your pocket. There is an 97 percent chance that this said instrument is the ancient artifact of legend, the Ocarina of Time."
"Then that means– I knew this ocarina was special! One look and I could tell! I could just feel it..."
"This 'feeling' which you have identified is more than likely based on your familiarity with the instrument. The signature of the ocarina is ingrained within your intrinsic memory, and so you were able to recognize the instrument, despite never having seen it before in your current life."
"My current life? I didn't know I had any other life than this one now ..."
"Now, Master. Take the Ocarina of Time from your person and play the Song of Time."
Link tucked his hand into his pocket and from it, slowly pulled out the ocarina. He noticed the phosphorescent sapphire of the ocarina was the same color as the angel.
"I don't know the Song of Time, though. What do I...?"
She looked blankly at him while she drifted above the altar.
"Sir Raven said something about the song that the sages sing here. I wonder...?"
He closed his eyes and listened to the song. The monophonic notes sent a chill down his spine as they echoed in his ears, bouncing back and forth against the thick temple. He put the ocarina to his lips, waited for his cue, and began to play. The blue angel began to dance atop the altar to the music of the ocarina. Her sleeves flowed weightlessly as her arms swayed back and forth. She twirled in place with one leg upheld, then leapt from the altar to float above the sealed door. Shimmers of light shot from her body, and as she twirled faster and faster, the heavy door of the temple's sealed room rumbled and began to slide into the wall.
The sages' chanting dissipated as Link finished the Song of Time. The blue angel stopped dancing and the seal boomed opened, revealing the internal chamber of the Temple of Time. A glint of white metal reflected from inside.
"You're leading me to the Master Sword?"
The blue angel drifted into the chamber and waited for Link, but he didn't come.
"We– I'm not allowed in there. It's..."
She stared blankly at him before speaking.
"Please do not allow your inhibitions to prevent you from discovering your true self, Master. All will be revealed here in the Chamber of the Master Sword."
"My true self?"
"Please enter the chamber."
Link hesitantly moved past the altar and into the chamber.
The dome-ceiling of the circular chamber rose high above the rest of the temple. There was only one window in the room, and had there been any moonlight, it would have shined down upon the octagonal platform in the center of the chamber. The platform elevated the floor, and was emblazoned with ancient symbols of Forest, Fire, Water, and so forth. In the center of the platform, resting in a pedestal was a sword of dull platinum.
Thousands of years of sea salt and water pressure under the sea had done little to dull the immortal Master Sword. In fact, the Blade of Evil's Bane looked as fresh and sharp as it no doubt had on the day of its forging. Still, its presence was underwhelming to Link. All the color had been drained from the sword. The black cross-guard had retracted into grip, as if withdrawing nervously from its unexpected visitor.
"This sword is yours to take. Remove it from the pedestal."
"Wh-what?! Are you mad?!"
Link jumped out of his skin at the idea. The very notion of stealing the sword had never even occurred to him, and he certainly didn't think it would have occurred to whoever this spirit or angel was. He began pacing back and forth.
"Okay, so a blue angel-thing from one of my dreams, who keeps calling me 'Master,' just broke me into a sacred temple and wants me to steal one of the most important relics that has ever existed in the history of ever. It's official; I've gone insane."
"Perhaps an explanation is in order?"
"You think?!"
Just then, the door of the chamber rumbled and slid back in place. Link whipped around and watched it seal him inside, with no way out.
"Now that we are within a secure location, and if you should so desire I can provide my personal designation."
Link faced her again just as she took a deep bow before him.
"What are you…"
"Fi is the name I was given by my creator, the one who has chosen you for a great destiny. I am the spirit that inhabits the Master Sword, the sacred blade your people have come to relish in your history. Unfortunately, it seems that history is repeating itself for you and your people.
"Many signs have appeared regarding the dark evil engulfing the continent, signs that you yourself are already aware of: the dark knights infiltrating the city, the kidnapping and disappearance of your monarch, the mark of the Triforce appearing on the hands of the designated persons, and the strange dreams troubling you in your sleep. With consideration of these signs, the best logical course of action is for the One Chosen by My Creator to take the Master Sword in hand and purge these evils from the lands."
"…you…think…I…?"
"Link, you must accept your destiny and defeat this evil in the name of Hyrule, as the Hero of Time."
Link stumbled back and leaned against the sealed door. He slid down until he was on the ground, and glared at the Master Sword.
"Fi…you call me a hero, Din calls me a hero, the Resistance thinks I'm a hero, Raven thinks I'm a hero, people and kids I've never met before call me that behind my back; why does everyone call a hero?…Who…who am I?"
He looked down at the triangles on his hand.
"Am I really the Hero of Time?"
"Perhaps your apprehension would be lessened if I were to reveal to you some information: the one called Zelda is alive."
"What?! She's alive?!"
"Regardless of whether you currently accept your destiny, you have more power within you than you realize, and in your current capacity you are more than capable of determining her current location and retrieving the Princess."
"Where? Where is she?!"
"However, without the Master Sword at your disposal, I'm afraid any progress you intend to make on locating the Princess will be impossible. Therefore, if you wish to assist the kingdom, then the only option available is for you to take the Master Sword in hand."
"Fine, I don't care!"
He jumped up and dashed for the sword.
"I'm so confused and probably going nuts, but all I've wanted to do since I got here is help, and if this sword will help me, then I'll do it! I'll find Zelda!"
He reached for the sword and was about to wrap his fingers tightly around the hilt, but stopped. Instead, his fingers lightly brushed the pommel, and he retreated.
"Sahasrahla said only the Chosen Hero could use the sword, much less pull it from its stand. How am I supposed to use it if I… No. Princess Zelda is in danger, and I'm the last person who saw her before she disappeared. I-I'm the only one who can find her! I have to save Zelda…I have to save Hyrule!"
Link tried again; he approached the sword much more confidently this time, wrapped his hands around the hilt, and pulled with all his strength. With a swift tug, the Master Sword slid easily from the pedestal and was free.
Color returned to the sword immediately upon its release; the blade turned from the dull platinum to an astral white, and the hilt deepened into a royal purple. The crossguard no longer retracted, but instead flared like wings of an eagle. The Triforce on the grip glowed with the courage of its beholder. Light poured from the pedestal and filled the chamber around Link. It enveloped and whisked around him in all directions. Everywhere Link looked, the Chamber and Fi were quickly disappearing. He shielded his eyes from the blinding light and braced himself.
"Wha-what's happening?!"
"Do not fear the Light of Awakening, Hero of Time."
"Who...who said that?"
His hand dropped reluctantly away from his brow. The chamber, Fi, and the Temple of Time were gone. He turned around, but everywhere he looked, there was nothing; where the chamber had been, it was white and empty, as if he'd been thrown onto a blank canvas. There was no floor, no ceiling, no walls or boundaries of any kind. There wasn't even a sky. The sound of silence burned his ears.
He looked down, and found he was standing in the base of a spring. The crystal water at his waist glistened against the Master Sword clutched nervously in his hand. Two new rays of lights emerged from the water and slowly began to circle around him.
"Welcome to our spring, Hero of Time."
"We've been waiting for you. You're right on time."
"Where am I? What is this place?"
"You stand in the basin of the Sacred Realm of the Distant Nebula, home to the three Creators."
"Take the shoes from your feet, young hero, for you stand on holy ground."
Link dropped the sword and ripped his shoes off one at a time, tossing them out of the spring. Instead of sinking, the Master Sword floated lightly on the surface of the water.
"Who are you?"
The two lights guided along the spring until they came to the edge, and began to take form. The first grew outstretched wings, sharp talons, and sharp yellow eyes.
"I am Chronos, spirit of Hyrule, guardian of time's ebb and flow."
The second grew massive paws, a long tail, and a bushy lion's mane.
"I am Kairos, spirit of Hyrule and guardian of time's most supreme moments, such as this one occurring right now."
"We are the first of many spirits you will come to meet in the future, who will reveal to you the secrets of time."
"We have brought you here by the power of the Great Creators of Hyrule to make your destiny known to you, and to present you with a gift."
"A gift? What gift?"
"This gift."
Link looked up, and felt his knees give out where he stood. It took all the strength in his lowers limbs to keep from fainting.
"Th-th-th-th-th-th-th-"
"Yes, the Triforce."
Three triangles, each one as tall as Link himself, rotated on their axes as they floated separately down to him. They slowed to a stop just beyond his reach, spiraling in midair.
"What do I..."
"Make a wish, Hero of Time. Wish with all your heart your strongest desire, and hold the Triforce in your hands."
It took Link only a second to make his wish. He blurted it out in his thoughts as he held his hands up to the Triforce.
"I wish I was stronger! I wish I for the strength to help Princess Zelda, and my family and friends, and all of Hyrule!"
The pieces of the Triforce immediately glowed in response. They stopped spinning and drifted down into Link's hands, where they joined together and resonated.
"It is a courageous man who wishes for strength to protect the ones he loves and is loyal to."
"And a wise man who recognizes the trials and strife ahead of him, and understands the strength required of him."
"Your wish has been granted."
The light from the Triforce shot into Link's chest, knocking the wind out of him. He closed his eyes tightly and gasped to catch his breath while the light grew brighter and brighter, until finally it faded away.
"Behold! Open your eyes, Hero of Time, and examine yourself."
He opened his eyes. The first things he saw were the gold-plated leather gloves on his hands.
"What the..."
He looked down at himself. His old clothes were gone. In their place, he wore a green tunic. Layering it underneath was gold chain-mail armor, a thin white smock and pants of tough corduroy. His hand went instinctively to the back his head, and sure enough he felt the characteristic long cap.
"Do you know what you wear?"
"Yes."
"What are you wearing?"
"The armor of the Legendary Hero."
"And at your side is the Master Sword, blade of the Legendary Hero which you've pulled from the pedestal, is it not?"
Link stooped down to pluck the sword from the water's surface.
"Yes, it is."
"Do you know now who you are?"
"I do."
He didn't wait for their next question.
"I am the Hero of Time."
"Indeed you are! Look around you, Hero of Time. What do you see?"
"I see ... The Sacred Realm."
"Look again, and revel in the change!"
Link's eyes wandered across the area. Before him the Sacred Realm indeed began to change. Where there was once an empty white void, trees and flowers were springing from fresh new soil. Sunlight poured down on the spring and the quickly growing forest. It wasn't long before the surrounding trees were tens of hundreds of feet tall and their leaves filtered soft green light down on the spring and down on Link.
"What's happening?"
"Rejoice! Rejoice, Hero of Time, in the change you have brought to this Sacred Realm!"
"The Triforce is an ancient relic that grants the wish of whoever lays hand upon it, but does not discriminate between good or evil. If someone with an evil heart were to have made a wish with the power of the Triforce, then the Sacred Realm would become a reflection of that evil, transforming into the Dark World."
"But if someone with a righteous heart were to make a wish, then the Sacred Realm would reflect that heart, and become the Golden Land. Look forth, Hero of Time, at the Golden Land you have created!"
"Your pure-hearted wish has transformed the Sacred Realm of the Goddesses into a utopia, and has brought about two new events to be remembered henceforth in history."
"The first event is that of the 2nd Great Cataclysm. If someone with an unbalanced heart makes a wish upon the Triforce, then the Triforce is split and the piece which the holder believes in most is left behind while the two remaining pieces vanish to locate the two hearts which most hold dear their respective virtues."
"Despite your pure and courageous intentions, your heart was not yet ready to wield the mighty power of the Triforce as your own, and so immediately after your wish was granted, the Triforce split and departed for your world, the two remaining pieces searching for the hearts of Wisdom and Power, while the piece of Courage remains here and now resides within you."
Link looked down at his hand. Despite his thick leather gloves, he could see the mark of the Triforce glowing brightly on the back, but instead of all three triangles, only the bottom right one glowed now.
"But do not grieve this event, for it is in your favor that it occurs. Because of your unbalanced but brave heart and your wish upon the Triforce, you have ultimately prevented an even greater cataclysm."
"The evil ones intruding upon the city of Hyrule sought to claim the Triforce as their own and use its power to throw your world into chaos. This is a deed impossible without the whole Triforce, and so you have halted them in their tracks."
"The second event is the dawning of a new era. When one of pure heart and good intentions makes a wish upon the Triforce, not only is the Sacred Realm transformed into the Golden Land, but the land of Hyrule, created by the Goddesses, shall henceforth enter an age of peace and harmony!"
"Congratulations, Hero of Time! Because of your actions, the lands of your world will be fertile, seas will be calm, and people will be kind and benevolent toward all."
"But beware, Hero of Time! Before your land can enter into utopia, the evils of your land must first be purged. They are the same evils that hold the people of Hyrule and the princess hostage."
"Where is Princess Zelda? Please, tell me what I must do."
"As part of your wish, we have gifts for you to assist you in locating the princess, and in purging the evils from your land."
"The gauntlets on your hands are those of the first Hero of Time, the Golden Gauntlets. These impressive gloves give you physical strength beyond imagination, the ability to lift and endure physical objects weighing more than one thousand tons of pressure."
"Put away your sword, Hero, and examine your equipped shield."
Link tucked the Master Sword into the sheath strapped to his back. Upon doing so, he felt the metal edge of a shield, so he lifted it from his back and examined it. The blue cover of the shield was lined in heavy iron and decorated with a depiction of the Triforce, along with a red bird, its wings outstretched across the shield.
"In your hand, you hold the Shield of Hylia. This shield is made from the same material as the Ocarina of Time, and is indestructable of all attacks, physical or magical. With your gauntlets, shield, and Master Sword in hand, you will be the harbringer of peace for the land of Hyrule. Go forth and train yourself, young hero, for while you shall become a beacon of light and strength, no amount of equipment is a substitution for skill and technique, or for true strength of heart."
"The Princess you seek is in the place where she calls herself home. Good luck, Hero of Time. May the Goddesses be with you…"
The spirit eagle and lion's forms began to dissipate, and with them went the spring and the Sacred Realm. The light of the land faded away, until everything was dark and all that was left was a blue pillar of light.
Link stepped slowly into the pillar and closed his eyes. He grew weightless as the pillar surrounded him and lifted him into it.
When he finally opened his eyes, he was in the empty city once more. He turned around, and behind him was the Temple of Time. The clock of the tower read midnight.
"It's only been a few minutes...Happy New Year..."
There were no fireworks to announce the New Year. No festival music or cheering, or kissing, or wine bottles cracking open. There was only the stillness of Hyrule City, the dark empty sky, and the clanking of distant dark knights.
Link took up a steady run away from the temple. Raindrops began to fall, and by the time he sprinted down the entry steps and onto the street, it was pouring. The wind howled and lightning crashed in the sky, flashing light on the city and revealing the grave expression on the new Legendary Hero's face.