Conqueror

Note: Took me ages, but here's another chapter. I've just played Ocarina of Time through again and got a few good quotes… Hopefully they help.

Chapter Seven

Link hadn't ever recalled running so fast in his entire young life. His legs screamed with pain as he pushed himself harder, racing back to Kakariko Village. He needed to find Impa, and he needed some answers. Hopefully, she'd be able to give them to him.

What was going on? His best friend was dead, he'd been having terrible nightmares about having some sort of great destiny, being a Hero… What was a Hero of Time? Why did people in his dreams call him that? Save Hyrule? Shadow from the East?

Link's brain felt foggy from all the questions he had. As soon as he'd burst through the door of Impa's house, he frowned. There was a pot of tea on the table and two cups prepared, Impa standing at the head of the table as if she'd been expecting him at that very moment.

She nodded with a faint smile and extended her hand towards one of the chairs. "Nice to see you again, Link. Please sit and have some tea to calm your nerves. I know you have many questions."

Link scoffed. "Understatement of the year," he muttered, pulling off his boots and sitting himself down in one of the chairs. Wrapping his fingers around the warm tea cup, he stared at his reflection in the liquid for a few moments before deciding which question to ask first. His reflection had changed drastically in the last few weeks since his nightmares had started. His face had aged. He looked worn and tired, his eyes empty. He was paler than before and he had probably lost a bit of weight. Overall, he didn't look like some sort of "hero." What was everyone talking about?

Sighing heavily, Link met Impa's crimson eyes with a frown. "Who am I?"

The Sheikah woman smiled and nodded firmly, seating herself across from him and taking a sip from her teacup.

"You are Link. You're a young, healthy Hylian boy who has a destiny unlike any other. Hylians wake up every morning dreaming of the adventures you're about to have."

Link shook his head. "Why can't they have them instead of me? It seems that something out of the ordinary's just going to get shoved onto my lap whether I like it or not."
"You're quick, young Hero."

"Don't call me that."

"Oh, but Link…I must tell you…and try to explain. The Princess of Destiny, Zelda-"
"Princess Zelda…of Hyrule Castle?"

"Yes," Impa replied, continuing on. "The Princess is a woman of prophecy. Lately, she's been having visions of a boy from the forest coming forth to rid Hyrule of the darkness that lurks in the East."

"What is this darkness or…shadow that I keep hearing about?"

"The Princess has an idea of what it might be, but she won't voice it until she's absolutely certain, which she won't be for some time. Perhaps it might be too late when the time comes." Impa's gaze had falling to the floor, a dreamy look passing over her face. Whether it was all dream or some dream and part anguish, Link couldn't determine. Either way, he didn't like the sound of this.

"Well, what can we do to stop it?"

Impa returned her eyes to his. "We have work to do. We must get you trained. You must be taught the ways of a hero. You must purchase a shield, collect many different types of weapons, and other items. The Princess can help you learn some magic skills, but you won't have the chance to gain hold of the precious Sword of Time…which is the key to destroying this evil."
"I won't have the chance? Why not?"

"We cannot open the door until you are ready."

"Door?" Why so many riddles? Link's head was spinning.

"The Door of Time." Impa paused, smiling faintly. "The Temple of Time, just beyond the Marketplace of Hyrule Castle, holds within a door, the Door of Time. Within the door lies a magical and evil-destroying sword. This sword is a key to the Triforce, the Chamber of Sages, and many other doors that must be hidden from the Shadow. Do you see why we must wait until you are ready?"

Link closed his eyes and tried to make sense of what she was saying.

"So…I can't get this sword because I'm not ready in case the "shadow" comes after me once I've got it…?"

Impa nodded. "Something like that, yes. In the meantime, I imagine it would be best to talk with Princess Zelda. She can answer more of your questions."

Link frowned deeply, his eyebrows creasing together. "I don't want to meet the princess…I don't really even want to believe whatever you're saying."

Impa stood and leaned over the young man, her face inches from his so all he could see was the determination in her eyes. "Now don't tell me that there's nothing inside of you that doesn't scream for adventure."

Link searched her eyes, trying to hide how right she was. Being a carpenter was an alright job, but what he wouldn't give to be off slaying dragons, saving damsels, doing other knightly stuff of the sort. But…did it have to be so complicated?

"What's with all this 'Time' stuff? Will I have control of it or something?"

"Not necessarily," Impa replied, backing up. "Zelda will explain it all to you when you visit with her tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow!" Link coughed. He wasn't ready to meet the princess!

"Yes, tomorrow." The Sheikah woman began to clean up the teacups, and as her back was turned, she chuckled. "Don't worry, Link. The Princess cares nothing about appearances."

Link stood. "Well…I'm going for a walk to think this over."
"You don't have a choice, Link…but do think about it anyway."

"Comforting," he noted with an underlying hint of sarcasm as he exited from Impa's house.

Impa smiled to herself, placing the dishes in the sink. "Well…here we go. This is Hyrule's final hope…"

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Link would have walked with his hands shoved in his pockets, had he had any, but he didn't, and cursed the day he chose a tunic from the market without pockets. Climbing the far ladder back to where he'd been days before next to the windmill, he plunked himself down on the grass and lay down sloppily, staring at the ashen sky.

"What is this all about," he muttered to himself. "Princess of Destiny…Hero of Time?"

As far as he concluded, he'd meet the Princess, who would explain what this Shadow might be. Then she'd tell him why she'd chosen him. This was of course, if he got his way, but he didn't know the princess. Perhaps she was a difficult cow of a woman who never did anything nice for her subjects. But, based on the peace that had been presiding over the land, he didn't expect so.

She'd then tell him that in two years, after mass amounts of stupid back breaking labor, he'd get to go into some sacred room in the Temple of Time, get a sword, and chase after some sort of Shadow that threatened Hyrule's existence. Sounded like fun.

"Barrel of laughs, sure…" Link muttered, closing his eyes. He was exhausted.

When he awoke, it was dark and the villagers had all returned home for the night.

In the middle of the village by the tree stood Impa. Link made his way to her and sighed. "What are you doing out here?"

She shook her head at him. "Go off to bed, Link. We have a big day ahead of us."

"You keep saying that," he grumbled, wishing again for pockets as he stomped back to Impa's house to get the remaining rest he'd missed.

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