Author's Note: YES! 100 Reviews! Thanks people, keep them coming. Okay there really isn't much to keep in mind now accept that it is seven years later and Link and Garen are about eighteen or so. I'm going back to the game now and off of Sheik for now. Also just to remind you Link's title is the "Legendary Hero" and Garen is the "Hero of Time" though Link remains the main character. You'll see why later on. Be sure to review and answer the question at the end of the fiction. Also the medallions arn't around, seriously is anybody going to miss them?
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Thirty: Return of the Heroes
"Link..."
"Wake up Link." an almost elderly voice called through the darkness, the sounds call breaking through the eternal silence that he had become accustomed to. "Awaken Link. The Legendary Hero." the voice said to him. Slowly the warrior known as Link opened his eyes slowly and carefully as if he had never used them before, not having any clue as to what he should expect. Was he being called by angels, the reaper of souls he didn't know. He only knew one thing for sure. That he was no longer in the Temple of Time or even in the country of Hyrule for that matter.
There was light. Bright blue light as his eyes opened to find himself standing on an odd sapphire platform floating in mid-air suspended by an unseen force. He looked down finding that the floor he stood on was covered by a thin layer of crystal allowing him to see through. Water seemed to flow under the floor, flowing just under his feet to fall off the edge, how it was recycling itself he couldn't see. He was in a chamber of some sort, he could tell from the smell but the odd thing was he could not see the ceiling or even the floor as he remained suspended where he was.
He looked around first at where he stood finding that the platform was made up of a Triforce marking in the center which he stood on and was surrounded by seven (yes seven) multicolored emblems. He then looked up straight ahead spying an old man wearing brown robes, a priest's sash over his shoulders. He had white facial hair and seemed to give out the look of being the friendly grandfatherly type of man. He stood on the golden yellow symbol, which matched a medallion worn around his neck. The symbols seemed to represent element or something, Link couldn't tell at this point but he really didn't care.
Link had seen pictures of this man in the oldest books of the Kokiri, but who was he? The man suddenly spoke "Greetings Legendary Hero. The one chosen by the Master Sword. It is good to see that you are finally awake." now Link's mind was full of questions: What was this place? Where was Gannondorf Dragmire? And who was this old man? Link didn't realize that his thoughts had been reflected through a voice that seemed to be deeper than his own. The old man spoke "I am called Rauru. Hylians know me as the Sage of Light." he pointed out.
Navi popped out of nowhere as she heard this and was suddenly very exited "Your the one who constructed the Temple of Time to protect the Sacred Realm! One of the Seven Ancient Sages!" Rauru nodded to the flying ball of light but announced he had unfortunate news. He looked at Link "Sadly I am the only sage that remains. The others all passed on decades ago to make preparation for this day. Their essence lies with in six souls in the country of Hyrule but it seem that they have all become trapped in the last seven years. Seven years since Gannondorf attacked the Sacred Realm."
Link's mind seemed to skip a beat as he heard this and gasped nearly losing his balance "SEVEN YEARS!" he shouted his deeper voice, clearly not just waking grogginess echoed through the chamber. Link raised his hands to cover his mouth cursing randomly as he heard this. Rauru nodded as he saw the look of complete shock on Link's face. "Yes. I'm afraid so. Do not be so alarmed Link, look at yourself. And if you must know, I took the liberty of outfitting you." Link looked at his hands they were larger and his arms were more built, slowly he looked back down toward the floor that would act as a half decent mirror.
Link starred in disbelief at his own reflection, he had grown up that was the only possible explanation. Doing the simple math he estimated that he would have had to been eighteen years of age. He wore a dark green tunic similar to his old one only it was big enough to fit his five foot nine inches frame. The mythril lace undergarments still remained, as Zelda had said they would expand to fit just about any human size. On his lower arms and wrist were a pair of brown leather bracers, the Goron Bracelet still rested on his wrist but all of its golden tint was gone. The power had been absorbed into his body obviously which would explain his build. The legendary sword now rested where the Kokiri blade had in a blue metal and leather sheath with golden trimming.
He looked at Rauru his eyes demanding an explanation for what had happened to him. Rauru spoke up "Although you opened the great door of time in the name of peace, yourself and your partner could not have predicted Gannondorf. The two blades of the trinity froze both of you in place where you were and your spirits were sent here where you have rested the last seven years." Navi spoke up "Where exactly is here?"
Rauru looked around the great chamber "This is the Chamber of Sages in the very heart of the Temple of Light. This is the very center of the Sacred Realm. The Triforce once rested in this place before Gannondorf claimed it." Link lowered his head trembling in anger. Rauru spoke "He used it to become the Great King of Evil and bring all of Hyrule to its knees. But there is still a chance to win this war. Awaken all the other six sages and we can take the fight right to him." Link looked up at him "You plan to combat the power of the Triforce?" he asked as if it was suicide. Rauru looked into the darkness "Gannon's power has grown yes but he only got his wish off. He could not claim the Triforce for its own. But the point is there is still a chance." Link's confidence seemed renewed. He brought his fist up to close at his chest "I swear that Hyrule will not suffer under him any longer. He will die. Triforce or not." he vowed as he drew the Master Sword which pulsed with light.
Rauru looked down on the floor where the childish weapons lay: The Kokiri Sword and Shield, Deku nuts and sticks, and his slingshot. Link removed the useless Goron Bracelet and dropped it and placed the Fairy Ocarina down with his old sword, he'd be sure to get it for Saria later. Rauru nodded and pointed back to the staff which no longer held an aura to it "The staffs of the trinity will still be a great asset to you, but I'm afraid that the balance between them has been broken during these seven years. With you imprisoned within the Sacred Realm they couldn't gain power and released their power to the only one that remains. While it may not possess magic anymore, you should take it anyway." Link nodded picking it up.
Link nodded as he looked at his staff which now felt a little lighter than before considering he was older and the magic had been torn from it, but it was a clear sign of one thing. Zelda was alive. Rauru spoke up quickly getting Link's attention "I know your probably not in the mood for it, but I have some more unfortunate news that I must share with you. The Sacred Realm has been weakened by the evil that now emenates from Hyrule and we can no longer allow you or anybody else to retain their own piece of the Sacred Realm. You will have to carry everything yourself, I will in turn keep your possessions here for safe keeping." he said. Waving his hand everything moved off to the side on its own platform.
Link breathed as he approached everything that he had placed in the Sacred realm and retrieved the backpack he had placed a few changes of cloths in. He opened it and dumped them onto the floor knowing that he needed all the room that was available to him. He turned and looked at Rauru claiming he was ready. The old sage spoke "Remember, the Master Sword is a great and powerful weapon Link, the skills of several swordsman rest within that blade, wield it with care and it will reveal its power to you. Link are you ready?" he questioned. Link nodded his head wordlessly and felt his mind go numb as he slowly vanished from the chamber in a field of infinite brightness.
"Find the sages and return peace to this land of Hyrule..."
The Legendary Hero looked up finding himself standing in a pillar of light, the pillar was solid although it was of light it was where he drew the Master Sword from seven years ago. Link narrowed his eyes as he reached back gripping his new sword and sliding it out of its sheath, he held it to the side and drew it back as he concentrated. He suddenly moved spinning once before bringing it down in a vertical swing shattering the cage as if it was glass, it flew into the air evaporating as it did. The prison that had held him for so long was finally broken and he was free at last.
Link looked up at Navi nodding before he moved forward walking out of the sword chambers after noticing that the right platform was empty as well as the left but he paid it no mind. Link walked into the main chapel where the seven spiritual stones were still floating on the altar. Suddenly there was a voice from the shadows "Its truly amazing how you manage to look so much like your old self." Link looked to the shadows seeing the outline of somebody very familiar. Link was pretty amused by this "Garen!" he called to him "Rauru kept you waiting huh?" the figure said as he stepped into the dim light.
It was Garen Sheikan, it had to have been him. His cloths were pretty much the same only a larger version, he wore the brown mythril under shirt and crimson tunic although his leggings were covered by a pair of black pants. He also had his own pair of bracers which he had received from Rauru. He also wore new boots which lacked the markings and burns from Dodongo's cavern, Link had just noticed this. His darkened hair had grown out some and lastly he had a crystal earring piercing his left ear. Link had taken notice of this as well, obviously Rauru was trying to not make them look out of touch with their ages. The katana known as the Millennium Saber was attached to Garen's belt and he lacked a shield as did Link as they couldn't use the Kokiri wares any longer.
Garen stepped into the middle of the chamber and sighed as he crossed his arms "I suppose the old man told you about what has befallen the country of Hyrule. Turned into a world of monsters, a land of flesh, bone and blood." he growled brushing a bang from his vision. His other hand moved to idly rest on the handle of the katana strapped to the reverse of his belt, the two sies were also on his belt and the staff was on his back. Navi suddenly spoke up lifting the darkness in the room "Hey guys we haven't lost yet. Even if he does have power from the Triforce he is only mortal! Lets get out of here and find these sages." she chirped.
Link looked up boldly, even while in the sacred realm they had grown in mind as well and their natural maturity would most likely help them greatly. "Right." Garen said as they both started walking. However Link halted in mid-step as he suddenly felt another presence in the temple. He could feel they had a pretty strong soul, Garen felt it to and reaching down with his left hand pushed the hilt from the sheath with his thumb getting his right hand on the handle. Link could feel the essence of one who had seen quite a bit of battle and it was coming...from behind!
Link heard a sudden stray foot step and turned quickly back toward the altar grabbing the Master Sword as he spun bringing it back into ready stance. Garen hearing metal against metal also spun, the katana flashed out of its sheath as he went into offensive stance. However it wasn't exactly what they expected, it wasn't any kind of monster and it didn't seem to be a threat to them. A young warrior stood before them no older than themselves. Whoever this was he or she wore a dark blue and purple Sheikah body suit. They also wore a sleeveless white shirt over their chest and body the Sheikah eyes painted very well. The rest of it including the mask was made up of bandages.
The stranger spoke to them "Greetings Legendary Hero, Link Masters. Hero of Time Garen Sheikan. You have finally awoken after all this time." Garen held the katana up toward the stranger with one hand aiming the tip at their face "Identify yourself." he demanded. The stranger spoke their hand resting on a short blade of their own "I am Sheik. Survivor of the Sheikah. I am one of the remaining Sheikah that hunts fiends. Some of my fans call me the Shadow Huntress." the voice was muffled and it was hard to believe that she was female. Navi spoke up "She is either wearing armor or using a form of disguise magic. Trust me, she is as female as any girl you've ever met." Navi said.
Sheik's gaze went to Navi slightly in a glare but then softened out, Navi wondered if she had said something out of place. Sheik spoke up to the Hylian from the forest "Surprised Link?" she asked him breaking the confused look on his face "If you wish I could speak like this." she said her voice blending to sound genuinely male. She looked back at Navi "Truly the Deku Tree taught all of his fairy's correctly. Shame there are fewer fairies now. Guardian or rouge another crime Gannondorf must pay for." Link crossed his arms after he sheathed the Master Sword "Enough chit chat. Why are you here?" he asked rather rudely but Sheik ignored this.
Sheik nodded to him "I am an agent of the Sacred Realm. I am here to help you during your quest. Rauru feel that it is needed as I have been watching everything since the fall of Castle Hyrule. The sages as you know are around but unable to awaken." the two of them nodded, Navi sat on Link's shoulder. "...And Gannondorf will soon be moving swiftly to illiminate them. But I doubt he will be able to find them without a holy and just spirit." though it was a noble cause Link was more worried about those close to him.
He walked to Sheik standing only an inch of so taller than her and looking into her dark red eyes, clearly she was what she claimed he could see it in her eyes. Sheik hid her worry as Link starred her down wondering if he suspected anything at all of her. Link shook his head and suddenly spoke "Sheik. Were you sent here by Princess Zelda or Impa?" he asked with concern. Sheik breathed almost wanting to let them know where she was but knew that she could not, it was not in the plan. Sheik nodded to this anyway "Yes. Impa was my teacher and instructor. She was one of those that sent me." Link breathed relieved "Where is Zelda?" he asked full of concern.
Sheik reached up placing a hand on his shoulder "I wouldn't know. She hasn't been seen in Hyrule for the past seven years. Though being a convincing body you should ask some of the races that oppose Gannondorf. Otherwise she is nobody I've ever laid eyes on." Garen decided to get on with it and ask a much more important question "Where are these sages?" he asked her. Sheik raised a hand placing it under the mask to rest on her forehead "The visions have odd ways of explaining themselves. One on a great mesa, one in a deep forest, one on a tall mountain, one in a deep lake, one in the house of the dead, one in the goddess of the sands." Link and Garen mentally took this down.
Sheik looked toward them directly "The one in the forest is a young girl I'm sure the Legendary Hero knows." Link's mouth went dry "Saria..." he growled as he thought of how to make Gannondorf pay, he didn't like her in danger. Sheik sighed "I'm sorry. She and the others of her kind are in quite a bit of danger, and the source comes from the temple. But prepared as you currently are neither of you can enter." Sheik looked at them straight "I suggest you head to Kakariko Village. There you should seek out the old gravedigger. He should have a device to help you further. I suggest you be on your way." Garen started walking out when suddenly there was a clatter of metal on the floor. Garen turned to look down.
It appeared to be a bracer lined with black metal plating. Sheik shrugged her shoulders before speaking "I know of the style in which you have practiced Link. With the world as it is you will need a shield, I'm sorry that I can't provide you with something stronger but with the way things are effective shields are dreadfully expensive." Link nodded before picking up the bracer and replacing the one on his right arm with it. Garen spoke as Sheik looked at him "Don't bother with one for me. While using that shield I always felt akward. I've always trained with the katana and tanto, being your a Sheikah I'm sure you can help me on this." Sheik nodded her head promising to see what she could do about that. They then headed for the exit. Link looked back at Sheik as she stood there at the altar with her arms crossed "If you hear of Zelda, do somehow try to reach us." he said.
The Huntress nodded then motioned outward "I will. After you free the sage of the forest temple return here and I will assist you further. Remember to listen to the calls given out by the Master Sword Link. It will be traveling with you for a long time." Link nodded bringing his hand to his side and bowing to the fellow warrior. Garen waited at the exit as Link turned and walked. Sheik sighed to herself as she placed her hand on her forehead "And so it begins..." she stated under her breath.
Next Chapter: Return to Kakariko
Link and Garen fight their way through Hyrule Castle Town and hike over the haunted fields toward Kakariko eventually getting there to discover that their contact is already dead. However a presence that once caused Link trouble will now offer assistance in obtaining the item Sheik spoke of.