End of an Era
Chapter 5
When I first saw her in the Hospital Ward, Zelda had been so consumed with rage. Taking out her anger and hatred on me, I had been able to see the immense pain she had been feeling at the time as well. I honestly thought that that was how things were going to remain. Not that she would attack whenever we were in the same room, she's far to sensible and well mannered for that, but I had thought from now on I would always feel her eyes burrowing into the back of my head. That I would constantly have her regard me with either icy contempt, or smoldering hatred.
But, not like this… After yesterday, I didn't think I'd see her like this…
I'm shocked really; I just came from the Hospital ward and was simply on my way back to my room. Ever since I'd seen Zelda yesterday I'd clued in that she would be taking the room next to mine, partners always have connecting rooms with a bathroom in between. For a while Marth had been my Melee partner, but after Roy had shown up the two had moved a few halls down, so I'd been acting as a substitute.
What it is that has my tongue tied around in knots is what she's doing right now; gripping the front of my tunic and, crying. Leaning; on me, for support; me. The last person in any world she should be seeking comfort from, I'm the one who—
Her strength seems to falter, and I quickly bring my arms up around her to keep her from falling to the floor. The idea of helping her when she's like this though makes me sick; I shouldn't be near her when she's like this, hell I shouldn't be around her at all! After everything that's happened, now I can help! And it's not even a lot either, Farore; why am I so useless?
I can't keep my anger up though, not even at myself. I can feel how she's trying to stop her own cries, but out in the open like this that can't be easy. Her main door maybe locked, but I should be able to help her into her own room through the bathroom. Removing my own key from my pocket, I look around the corner, and then down the other hall to make sure no one is coming. I've done too much to go around embarrassing her, so I want to make sure the corridor is completely deserted first.
It's not that she's at all heavy; even without the power bracelets I have little trouble picking her up bridal style. And although it's awkward unlocking the door, I manage and quickly step inside, knocking the door shut quietly with my foot before looking for somewhere to put the distressed princess down. Thankfully someone came in and cleaned up the mess, which was all across the floor this morning, so I don't need to worry about tripping over anything.
Setting her down gently on the edge of my bed, I don't have to fight at all for her to let go of me; Zelda's hands fall away and go straight to her face. I would put one arm around her shoulders, but I know that she would never forgive me; she was upset outside, and still is, that's the only reason she allowed me to come near her like this. But, it's not as if I can leave her alone at the moment, as much as I should simply walk out and get Peach or someone else, I… miss… being around other people from Hyrule… no matter how volatile the situation.
"Princess—" Thankfully, her hand is open this time, and since I'm next to her the blow doesn't have much force behind it. It's only enough to snap my neck because of my injury before, and the fact that I wasn't quite expecting the slap…
"Don't call me that!" She shrieks, for a moment I forget myself and feel both of my eyebrows vanish into my bangs. I've never heard her sound like that; it's an almost childish and a somewhat amusing reaction. "I'm not a 'Princess' anymore; because of you I'm not anything!" she spits, pulling out a handkerchief and burring her face back into her hands. My brief amusement fades swiftly, not that I could a cracked a smile even if I wanted to.
"Well," I say, sitting down next to her on the bed, "if I'm still referred to as a knight despite not having anything chivalrous about myself, Zelda, then I don't think you'll be able to escape that title." Not having anything to really add to the conversation, I just stick with that. Even the ideas I'd had before would still lead up to some kind of talk eventually. With this we're just saving precious weeks, months, and possibly even years of our lives from petty bickering and misery. Sitting next to her on the bed, I place my elbows on my legs and lean forwards, placing my palms together and tapping my forehead slightly.
"I hate you…" Zelda whimpers after a moment of silence, "I didn't think it was possible, but I truly do." I close my eyes and weave my fingers together, it hurts for her to say it so bluntly, but on the other hand it's best that everything be made clear.
"And so you should." I reply solemnly, "I failed pitifully to complete a single task, and that failure had unbelievable consequences." I look out of the corner of my eye and see her shaking where she's sitting, and I raise my head as she stands, watching as furry pulls at her gentle face.
"How dare you!" She hollers; if I were standing she would probably slap me again. "How dare you sit there and take this all so calmly! Our world is gone because of you, and yet you speak of it as if you couldn't have done something!" I should probably meet her anger with my own; goddesses know I have quiet a bit stored up. I try to remain calm though, but it quickly seems that a full-blown argument is inevitable.
"What would you have me do, Zelda?" I ask, putting extra emphasis on her name in place of her title. Her eye almost twitches for a moment, tears still running down her face from her sapphire eyes. There's so much anger and pain inside of her, I don't delude myself by thinking she isn't as frustrated as I am.
"How about coming home when you could still actually accomplish something!" she fires back. I blink at the retort, my eyes going wide as I feel as if someone kicked me in the stomach, leaving me winded for a moment. She's in the right, I try telling myself that over and over, it's true, I couldn't come back, so any anger, hatred, anything, is justified. Anything at all. But that brief lapse is all the other part of me, than incredibly stupid, pigheaded, proud-as-hell part of me, needs to take control. Heat rushes through my veins as I stand up, my own anger working its way to the surface.
"Do you think I never tried?" I shout at her, it's her turn to blink; apparently she hadn't thought I still retained a backbone. "Do you think I went through all those hellish nightmares, night after night for the past three months just to wake up and go, 'Eh, they can handle it.'!"
"It's not like you haven't had challenges before!" She counters, "Granted, those two hands I was told about can't be something you can just shrug off, but it's not like, after seven years, you never once came close to defeating them!" How is she—? She can't possibly—
I just stand there gaping for a moment, but slowly I just start smiling. As a bit of laughter works its way up I shake my head back and forth a bit
"Y'know, it, it's quite funny that you would bring that up." I say, feeling my world spin slightly as I stand there, now nodding my head as I take my hat off and huck it across the room. "Do you know why I find that funny, Zelda?" I ask looking at her, her anger seems to have stopped for the moment; she almost looks worried at my change in behavior.
I ignore her of course, feeling all my anger and frustration just melt away. That horrid, low mood that's been plaguing me will come back, but for now I'm having a moment of clarity, and I can't help but feel good despite it all. Plopping down on my bed, I don't offer for her to sit down again, because I just don't care right now.
"I find it amusing, Zelda, because you know absolutely nothing, about that final match." I say harshly, feeling spontaneous as I know a light mood like this won't last for more than a few minutes. "But, that lack of knowledge is completely understandable; you only arrived yesterday. It's not like you've challenged the Hands with the fate of all you hold dear ridding on the outcome. And you haven't had to find that any weapons you brought with you are completely useless, in a fight in which the one thing you need is the same substance which I, of course, should have in excess; courage."
Zelda truly doesn't look angry anymore, and in all honesty, she is concerned. This moment of clarity is ending swiftly though, and I can feel more important emotions and feelings fighting their way back up. Once more I feel like I can't crack a smile, and the laughter is too far beyond me again. My voice and expression become more sober, and I begin feeling drained, both emotionally and physically. Apparently unsure, I don't look up as Zelda sits down next to me silently. I bring one leg up, not bothering to worry about the dirt from my boots getting on the sheets, and wrap my right arm around it.
"The final Battle isn't one fought with either brawns or brains, Zelda." I say quietly, "That's what the rest of the events are for. The Hands test your determination, and willingness to succeed. Every time you come at them with your weapon, just before the attack hits you experience a fear. Something that could happen in your future or one that has in your past, and which is made to appear worse. Unless you over come that fear and push forwards; the attack won't hit." I pause for a moment to see if she has anything to say. As the silence stretches for a short while I run one hand back through my tousled hair.
"I could see you…" I continue; glancing over for a moment and watching her eyes meet mine. "I could see everyone… All the people of Hyrule, and of other lands; Holodrum, Labrynna, Subrosia, Terminia… A huge shadow looming over it all…" I'm not trying to be quiet, but I can't make my voice get any louder than the bare whisper it is now. "I could feel the grass of the plains under my feet, taste the winds coming off the mountains, here the stream which was fed from Lake Hyila and the rustle of the trees in the Kokiri woods… I was that close to coming back." My eyes are burning as I speak, but it just wouldn't feel right to brush away any tears that fall.
"Link…" Zelda whispers, I don't look at her; it digs at me to see my childhood friend in so much pain because of my shortcomings.
"And then it all fell into chaos…" I whisper, closing my eyes as a few tears slip down my cheeks, I take a deep breath to steel myself before continuing. She asked why I didn't come back, my excuse feels shallow, but now that I'm this far I'm going to tell the whole thing.
"I saw men butchered, women raped, children fed to monsters… In a split second fire blazed in every town and village along the countryside... I watched helplessly as innocent people were slaughtered, their corpses hung from trees to rot away… Like a cloud of locus, I could see decease running rampant over the land, all of it so sudden though, all of it from no where, with no purpose… And then… the rain…" I feel a small bit of warmth on my shoulder, Zelda's hand offering me comfort for what happened, as if I, of all people, deserve sympathy.
"I don't know how you lived through it, Zelda," I chock, "I felt the chill of the rain as it drowned the masses, the hunger which ran through the few strong enough to flee. I don't know how you could stand living it. In an instant I saw and experienced it, but just hearing one child scream, one person calling out my name, shouting out, 'Why, Hero? Why?' and I just… couldn't…" Now I look at her, tears running down both of our faces.
"It was only a possibility though, it wasn't happening… I tried, Zelda, please, don't ever accuse me of not trying," I beg, unhooking my arm from around my leg, turning to face her and wiping away her tears with one gloved hand. She's wept more than enough because of me; I don't want her to cry anymore.
"Then, why wasn't it enough?" She whispers back, her eyes red and she looks so tired, "I can see it in your eyes, you aren't lying to me, so what went—" I shush her silently, placing the thumb of my right hand over her lips. I feel my face twist though, and close my eyes as I can't look at her anymore. It's just too hard to admit to her something I've kept quiet for this long.
"One instant," I mutter, shaking my head back and forth, "Just one, I saw all of that, and I just, I needed a moment to react! Everything I had ever known and cared about was instantly torn apart right before my very eyes. It wasn't like when Ganondorf came seven years ago, you don't remember anymore, but no matter how horrible things were, it wasn't as terrifying as what I was shown!" I have to stop again, shaking my head back and forth as if to dispel the images. I feel one hand on each side of my head, and open my tearful eyes to see Zelda's own looking down at me.
"Tell me," She whispers, I close my eyes again and try to shake my head, she doesn't let go of me though, "You were scared; anyone would have been,"
"Of course I was frightened," I say sharply, not able to keep a decent edge in my voice, "I was terrified, that's normal. I'm always frightened when I fight, always, but when I—Damn it, Zelda I was so close… But for one, insignificant speck of time, I, hesitated…" I open my eyes and see her still looking at me intently, not understanding the significance of that statement. I grasp both of her wrists and at last make her let go of me, looking down, it's almost eerie how small her hands are compared to mine…
"You let your fear control you…" She whispers, as I don't clarify, after a moment though, I nod.
"So many times, I've been scared out of my whits, terrified beyond belief, but I always followed through… I always made myself press on… But I just couldn't." I whimper, feeling so weak and pathetic, "In one instant, I could go no further, and I lost the match. My window of opportunity slammed shut in my face." I raise my eyes yet again and see the lost look in hers. "I dropped my sword, Master Hand batted it away from me, and knocked me down hard on the arena floor. I reached out too grab the Master sword, just because it was…" I still can't keep my eyes on her for more than a moment. And I have to take a deep breath before continuing again…
"One of Master Hand's attacks is to fire beams from the tips of each finger," I explain, "They cause extreme pain, and when he's desperate to win a match they…" The words just grind to a halt, I can't keep going. At her confused look, I finally let go of her hands and just shake my head,
"Even Master Hand hadn't expected what happened, I was reaching for my sword, and he tried to intimidate me with the light. I… didn't back down though…" I swallow hard and look at Zelda, her cobalt blue eyes filled with something akin to confusion. After a moment though, a connection begins to form, an idea she doesn't appear to like coming to mind.
Her eyes search mine as she suddenly takes a hold of my hand, I quickly try to pull back, but she only grips tighter. It's somewhat awkward how she's holding on exactly, she has the back of my gloved hand up against her, her hand over my wrist so I can't move easily. Her second hand though, is just in front of my elbow, pulling down and creating strain on my upper arm. I can't tell what emotion it is, pouring through her eyes like that, it's so intense…
"Tell me what that thing did to you," she demands coldly. I'm not fighting her hold anymore, but for some reason she's pulling even harder, I try to keep my face neutral, but after a certain point I bite down on my lower lip. My arm has been numb since I came back from the doctor, but now a dull pain is throbbing up and down the entire length. That intensity in her gaze doubles at my reaction, and her Zelda's narrow dangerously.
"Tell me, Link." She says darkly, pulling down a bit more, and increasing the strain. "Tell me why this is hurting you, damn it Link you could be doing the same thing to me and I would hardly feel it!" she shouts, not that she looks angry though, merely, frustrated. I suppose would be too though.
"How much more do I have to tell you?" I say through gritted teeth, that throb becoming more focused, a hot ring of pain forming around my arm, just between the shoulder and elbow.
"Until there's nothing more," Zelda hisses, "You said you faltered and lost the match, yet a moment ago you said you weren't about to give up; which is it?" She once again looks livid where she's sitting, the pain only increasing yet again with her iron-clad grip.
"Damn it, Zelda, let go." I say, my voice tight as I finally reach up and grab her wrist, trying to get her off.
"Not until you stop dancing around the truth," she demands, "Quit stalling and just tell m—" Zelda cuts herself off, and I flinch at a sharp stab of pain in my arm, the anger in her eyes fades as she lets go of me. Freed, I move back a bit on the bed, before simply getting up and away from her, rubbing the burning ring around my arm with my other hand. It obviously doesn't fade with just that, and I keep my back to her as my last clean tunic starts going red. The bandage's around my arm not keeping back the blood as it quickly begins to seep through both the blue and white of my sleeves.
"Those beams can cut right through stone, Zelda." I say shortly, breaking the silence which seems to have sprung up between us. Shortly after though, I hear the sound of cloth rustling as she stands up as well. She comes up right behind me, and I can almost sense her hand hovering just above my shoulder. "They make short work of flesh and bone…"
I'm not sure if I heard it or not, but it sounds as if she gives a small gasp. Her hand, which she let fall away, slowly works its way into my left, her fingers gently twining with mine as she squeezes slightly. I close my eyes and return the gesture in turn, letting my hand fall away from the burning portion of my arm.
"Doctor Mario…?"
"Re-attached it; yes." I say, cutting her off as I pull my hand away from her, flexing it in front of me, almost to assure myself that I still have the ability. "It's been causing problems, bleeding and such. I haven't fought in the arena because of it for a few months. I was only given the all clear a few days ago, that came to an end today of course after my match with Mewtwo." I feel cold on the inside as I speak, a bit angry as well, but this time, not at her.
"After you defeat the Hands, and, if they even let you go," I say, adding that last bit out of spite, walking over to the wall I pick up my abandoned cap. "You will take the Master Sword back to Hyrule."
"What?" Zelda asks, snapping out of whatever trance she appears to have been in, "Are you saying you truly have given up on going home?"
"Zelda." I sigh, turning around to face her, "If I were even allowed near the Final Destination stadium, which is where you fight the Hands, believe me, I would be there everyday trying to go back to Hyrule. But this," I gesture towards my sore, bleeding arm, "This is an obstacle I can't overcome. Maybe I will eventually, but before that happens, Hyrule…" I stop speaking and shake my head,
"If it isn't a battle of strength, then why won't you fight again?" She almost sounds as if she's pleading with me, yet I don't quite know why.
"I just told you! They won't let me kill myself trying!" I shout, wanting her to actually listen to what I have to say, why do I have to spell everything out for her? "Whether or not I have the inner strength to concur the arena means nothing if I die the moment I return to Hyrule!"
"You really are just giving up!" Zelda argues; and it's like this anger we both have is endless. No matter what either one says, we just start yelling again.
"Damn it woman, listen to me when tell you things!" I holler, whipping around and grabbing her arm firmly with my right hand, she blinks at the action, but I don't bring myself to acknowledge it. Allowing myself to forget our different classes as I try yet again to make myself clear.
"What I want, what I feel, and what I think mean nothing here!" I shout, "All people running things here care about is how loudly the crowd cheers during tournaments, I'm nothing more than an attraction for them!" My frustration increases tenfold as I think about how I've been brought down over the years, every shred of Dignity I ever possessed having been thrashed long ago.
"I've been haunted for over half a year with nightmares and visions, all of which showing me the darkness sweeping over Hyrule, and I've tried everything! Bartering, arguing, reasoning, begging, trading favors, you name it I've probably tried! There is no way out of this place except past those hands, and they won't risk my dying!"
At the stricken look on her face, I just let go of her. Zelda doesn't say anything to me as I turn my back to her again, lowering my eyes, I bring up my left hand and rub it gently.
"Think what you will of me, Princess." I mumble, looking over the tri-angular design on the back of my gloves, it only brings up a more bitter revelation, "Farore's already made her thoughts quite clear; there's little your opinion can do now…"
"What do you mean?" Zelda asks quietly as I start walking towards the door. This argument has moved from soft to loud to many times for one afternoon, and I'm getting sick of it. I pause with one hand on the knob at her question though, the Triforce symbol in plain view and almost mocking me for a moment,
"Farore was watching the battle," I say curtly, "She was not impressed." I'm not answering anymore questions, and without a single word of goodbye, I simply turn the handle and walk out. Slamming the door shut, I don't know where I'm going exactly exactly, after seven years, I've come to see that the gardens aren't a fraction as vast as they appear, and the small town nearby which we are allowed to visit is a strange place I dislike visiting in a low mood.
'You really are just running away!'
I grit my teeth and walk down the hall faster; I haven't heard her voice yet, but no matter how she denies it now, she's a Princess and won't take being walked out on very well. She thinks she understands everything so well, but even with me saying it outright she doesn't know anything! I never wanted this to happen, yet she makes it seem as if I never felt anything all this time, I not once thought she could be so incredibly vain and arrogant! Or dense for that matter! I was the one being led on by a string while she was disguised as Sheik, but at least I only had to be told once what was happening!
Damn it this place is too small! I just want to scream as I find myself out on the grounds, walking along one of the garden paths, but every few minutes coming upon another Smasher and having to change direction. There is no privacy anywhere but for my own room, but I just escaped from there!
I change where I'm headed yet again as I spot Ness and Kirby up the path I walking, perhaps the last people I want to be around, especially with what I was just forced to go through with Zelda. Kirby's experience against the Hands was almost too much for him, seeing all of the Dreams he had ever worked to protect consumed by nightmares and fears. He was silent for days afterwards, and hardly ate, he had everyone worried, but still pulled through eventually. Ness had nightmares about his home being attacked and taken over, something about aliens and government agents. He was even afraid of Mr. Saturn for well over a week before cracking a smile again.
I walk briskly down another wooded path, ignoring the crisp green ferns which reach onto the sawdust trail and are trampled underfoot. The smell of soil all around only marginally reassuring, the trees stretched over head comforting, but not nearly enough to fool me into thinking it a forest. Even with my eyes closed I can still hear Fox and Luigi talking along one of the other paths, not to mention the ear-splitting racket of Captain Falcon doing something with that contraption racer of his. The mechanical roars deadened by the gardens, but still far too loud for my taste.
Children are strong enough to defeat the Hands, children. If they would at least give me a shot, I could thrash them both, I know it. There isn't anything that can scare me into backing down now, what haven't I lost? Hyrule is being washed away, my childhood friend loathes me; I lost a god damn limb and have no respect, and even my Patron Goddess has forsaken me! I would honestly love to know what they can throw at me with all of that!
My frustration only grows more as I find myself having come down a dead-end. Nothing but a huge moss-covered boulder sitting in the back of a messy, over-grown clearing, and no adjoining paths for me to continue down. There is no where too escape to in this place!
That's it. My anger rushes forth, different from my frustration with Zelda, this is a violent flow of rage. I pull out the Master Sword, having to hold it with both hands to ease the strain on my left arm, and rush at the boulder. I throw everything behind the swing, confusion rage and sadness, expecting to cleave right through the massive;
'Link…'
The voice comes as if from no where, and I slide to a halt, barely catching the Master Sword as it continues on its path. I only just keep it from slamming into the rock-face, flat edge first; such a blow would shatter the blade, Evil's Bane or no.
"Who…?" I say quietly, looking around, but not seeing anyone.
'Have you forgotten?' It asks, it sounds almost like a woman's voice, very high and innocent.
"Forgotten what?" I reply, standing straight as I realize the person is not about to show themselves. I blink repeatedly as I feel a stir in the air, a slight whirlwind picking up around me, dying just as suddenly,
'No, you haven't forgotten…' Looking around again, I give a start as I see the Master Sword glowing slightly in my hands. After a moment though, it dims… and I can almost feel the power draining from it.
"What—what's going on?" I ask, watching helplessly as the enchantments along the blade begin to vanish.
'The Sages…' the woman almost begins to sound sad now, and another whirlwind forms, spinning in the center of the clearing. Leaves and dirt are picked up and scattered by the eddies; a dull green light forming inside the small cyclone. I blink at the small glow, not about to forget the Master Sword's change as I watch what's happening. A figure appears in the light, slowly forming more human-like features.
A flowing girlish dress in all shades of green hangs down to small delicate ankles, covered with the green leather of her boots. The short sleeves puff up around her shoulders, leaving her arms bare but for where floral bracelets encompass her wrists. A large book held in her arms as she floats there. Emerald eyes looking me over slowly from above a tiny nose, her mouth dainty as even her flawless skin glows gently with a green aura. Two large bundles of her grass-coloured hair pinned up on either side of her head, not a single strand out of place. A single golden Triangle is pressed onto the front of her dress, and my eyes go wide at the familiar power resonating from within it.
"Farore…" I whisper in disbelief, dropping down onto one knee as she simply nods down at me.
'Come…' The Goddess whispers, extending one fine hand to me as the solid triangle detaches itself from her, floating all on its own just a breath away from her. 'There is but one last task which you are to complete, and then at last your life shall be what you make of it, Link, Hyrule's Fallen Hero…'
I've used the descriptions from the Oracle games for the three Goddesses. Nayru, Din and Farore are all three featured in Ages and Seasons, and I'm pretty sure the appearances transfer over.
