Chapter 16 - Him Again

Link awakened inside the Temple of Time. The last thing he remembered was speaking to Zelda after retrieving the Triforce.

"Rise and shine, Link," said Zelda.

"Zelda, what just happened?"

"I can't remember. I guess when you go from one dimension to another you can't remember what happened in between."

"Hmm."

"Well, I had to wait for you to awaken. Now that we have all three Triforce pieces, we must restore them to the Temple of Time."

Link looked at the Triforce emblem above the Door of Time. Nothing but stone. The Spiritual Stones were back in their spots.

"That is where we need to put them," said Zelda, "don't worry, the power deep within the Triforce of Courage will never leave you."

Link and Zelda approached the platform before the Spiritual Stones. Zelda cast the three Triforce into the air, and each piece stuck itself into its designated triangle. Each middle piece of each Triforce filled in, forming the ever-powerful complete Triforce.

The Triforce lit up, as did the markings on the Door of Time. Suddenly, all sound went away.

"Hey, Zelda," said Link.

Zelda did not hear him. The temple had gone into its state of complete silence, meaning it is in shape, and nothing is inbalanced. The Triforce was back in place, the Door of Time was closed, the Spiritual Stones were in their places, and the Sacred Realm was permanently sealed.

Zelda signaled Link to go outside. Link complied and ran out after Zelda. Nighttime had fallen.

"The temple has finally returned to normal," said Zelda.

"What is to become of it?" asked Link.

"Nothing. It should be restricted, though. No outside forces should disturb it anymore."

"Right."

Zelda glanced out into Hyrule Field. She saw something strange running about the field.

"Hey, Link, look at that."

Link looked.

"What is that?" asked Zelda.

"I don't know...let's find out."

Link and Zelda scurried out to Hyrule Field. Unfortunately, the "mysterious figure" had disappeared.

"Hmm...wonder what it was," said Zelda.

"He didn't leave," said Link, "I can feel it."

Link began to walk right. Zelda slowly followed.

"It can't be...him...can it?"

Link did not respond. Instead he kept going, and behind a huge boulder, he saw someone he had seen only once in Hyrule.

"Fierce Deity?"

"Hello, Link."

"Link, who is that?" asked Zelda.

"It's okay, Zelda. He means no harm."

"You have restored the force of Hyrule back to its place so that Hyrule can function the way it was always meant to. After you first defeated Ganondorf, you ended the evil torment of Hyrule. But, now, you have completely restored the land of Hyrule with the Triforce. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Fierce Deity...What brings you here?"

"I have been waiting for you, ever since we last spoke. I have been waiting for the Triforce to be restored."

"Where have you been?"

"...Around."

"This is amazing. According to the plaque in the Happy Mask Museum, you have been spotted only once in Hyrule, and it was on the same day I defeated Ganondorf. Now I've seen you twice. Talk about luck."

"This is not luck."

"Then what is it?"

"You tell me, Link."

"Is it...coincidence?"

"No."

"Anticipation?"

"No."

"Just being in the right place at the right time?"

"Wrong again."

"I don't know."

"Destiny, Link. Destiny brings us together. You are now a three-time hero, Link. You saved Hyrule from Ganondorf. You saved Termina from Majora and the falling moon. Now you have restored the face to Hyrule."

"What does that have to do with all of this?"

"You are the chosen one, Link. I am the Fierce Deity. We are destined to meet up."

"Oh."

"That is why."

"So...will I see you again?"

"You can see me anytime you want."

"Really?"

"Reach into your arsenal."

Link reached into his arsenal and pulled out the first mask he felt. It was the Fierce Deity's Mask.

"Put it on," said Fierce Deity.

Zelda continued to stare at Link and Fierce Deity. Link donned the mask. His body changed form and became the mythical legend, Fierce Deity. The real Fierce Deity had disappeared.

"Fierce Deity?"

No response. Link then took off the mask. He shrunk back to his original size.

To his surprise, Fierce Deity was back.

"See, Link? You can see me anytime you want. I'm right in your pocket."

Link stood speechless. He looked down at the mask as its eyes lit up. Then, eyeballs and pupils filled the eye sockets. They were identical to Link's eyes. After that, the mask looked exactly like Link's adult face. Link was amazed.

Link looked up, and Fierce Deity was gone.

"What was that all about?" asked Zelda.

"Maybe some things are best just left alone," replied Link.

"Come on, I'm tired, and I'm sure you're tired."

"Yeah, I'll head back home. Good night, Zelda."

"Good Night, Link, and Thank you very much."

Link smiled.

Zelda walked back into the castle.

"Come on, Link, your house is waiting for you," said Navi.

"It's good to be back," said Link.

"It's good to have you back, Link."

Hyrule was content again. A symbol of the Triforce eminated in the nighttime sky.

Link and Navi walked off into Hyrule Field and on towards Kokiri Forest.

THE END

Long Live Zelda!