Chapter 15: Crafting a Home

Walking through an endless grass plane, Link gripped his own consciousness as if it were about to drift away –as if everything he had been taught about how the world works couldn't apply here. What he saw he could not understand. What he felt he could not interpret. The sky was a pallet of gold, and the ground beneath him harbored colors he had not known existed.

"Hello, Link," a voice spoke. Looking forward, blinded by the sky, Link was able to see Farore, the Oracle of Secrets.

"Where are we?" Link asked.

"There is no time to explain," she answered, coming closer. "There is something about the world that you must know. There is an evil force –a force whose existence is bereft of your knowledge- that no one has told you about before. The worlds have collided before Link, and the end result was too disastrous to depict. We were forced to do horrible things Link, but it was the only way. You must understand. The worlds shall not collide again."

Convulsions suddenly tackled Link to the ground. He sensed the world spinning above him, and he felt like he was ripping apart.

"No!" Farore screamed, forcing him to stand. "I am not finished speaking with you. Fight it, Link. Fight it."

Link raised his head, watching Farore spin in circles before him. "I…I can't." The world turned black then, and Link's awareness slipped away, Farore still screaming in his head.

Link's eyes shot open, and after blinking a few times, he saw the Hermit standing before him.

"It is time, Link," he said. "I want to see if what the Oracle said is true. If you are truly the boy destined to defeat the Phantom, show me." The Hermit threw Link a wooden sword, carefully crafted to the last intricate detail.

Link met the Hermit outside his home soon after, carrying the wooden sword with him. They squared off parallel to the edge of the forest, ominous eyes watching them from the dark safety of the woods.

"We'll fight until I say to stop," the Hermit explained. "If you can match me in my abilities, I will agree to teach you what I know." Link nodded, staring deep into his fiery eyes. For a time they stood there, watching each other, waiting until the precise moment to strike. Link stared at the Hermit for a moment, discerning his composure, watching the way he gripped the wooden sword in his hand, the way he shifted his feet to keep agile.

When Link saw the Hermit stepping towards him, he ran and met him in the center. Their blades touched, and Link was immediately thrust into a series of parries to block the Hermit's attacks. As they battled, Link noticed just how adept the Hermit was with the sword. Other than with Ganondorf, Link had never been tested in a duel like this. Even his fights with Orca paled in comparison. The Hermit's strategies themselves were something to marvel at. He always thought a step ahead, knowing that if he decided to jab his sword forward, he would have to be prepared to block Link's retaliation if he missed. Each move he made had some purpose, whether to gain the offensive of just to force Link into a trap.

Well into the battle, Link and the Hermit had exchanged numerous blows, but it was clear that the Hermit was the victor at this point. Link was determined to gain the upper hand, however, contemplating how to best his foe. Link lurched forward, trying to catch the Hermit off guard. In return, the Hermit blocked the attack and immediately swung his sword forward. Link ducked before the blow could be given, and prepared to attack once more. He struck the Hermit square in the stomach. With the Hermit hunched over, vulnerable from the attack, Link held his sword against his neck.

"Why do you not attack?" the Hermit asked.

"It isn't fair," Link said, breathing hard. "I can use both of my arms when necessary to attack you- especially to grip my sword when my left arm gets tired. But with only one arm, you are at a loss."

"At a loss?" the Hermit repeated. "You must never refuse to exploit your enemies' weaknesses." With a crack, the Hermit had risen and swiftly struck Link in the arm with his sword. While Link gasped from the unexpected attack, the Hermit again thrashed Link in his other arm. Link tried to parry his next blow, but again the Hermit was able to hit him.

Back on his feet, Link swung his sword blindly in an attempt to gain the offensive again. Much to his dismay, he underestimated the Hermit's speed. Link learned the error of his ways as he felt a jolt to his back. Again Link tried to strike the Hermit, and again the other moved swiftly out of the way and struck him. The Hero thought that he had learned when the time was right to strike, but as he felt the snap of the Hermit's sword on his body, he knew that there was always something he overlooked- always something he turned his back on in hopes of it disappearing altogether.

Strangely, amidst the battle, an image of Ganondorf, stern and judgmental, appeared in Link's mind. Quickly he shunned it away with the swipe of his sword, and it did not appear again.

After Link sent out hundreds of strikes that only ended in his own demise, after overlooking the same minute flaws in his swipes –leading to his downfall- Link sank to the floor in defeat. The Hermit held his sword to the Hero's neck.

"Is that all?" the Hermit asked. Link nodded slightly, exhausted. The Hermit smiled, put down his sword, and gave Link his hand. The Hero rose to his feet. "Did you have a teacher where you came from?"

"Yes," Link answered. "His name was Orca."

"Orca has taught you well," he acknowledged." Link smiled. "But I'm afraid that I cannot teach you."

Link's smiled faded. "Why?"

"You are a skilled boy," the Hermit began, "but if you're going to stand even the slightest chance of defeating the Phantom, you at least have to be able to defeat me. While what I saw today was impressive, it just isn't enough. I'm sorry."

"Please," Link said. The Hermit ignored him, turned his back, and walked back up to his house. "I will not disappoint you!" Link said loudly. "I will defeat the Phantom!" An image of the people of the town, hiding in fear as the Phantom stalked the streets, filled his mind. "I know I will."

"Those are bold words," the Hermit said, standing in the doorway. "You have the determination to do it; I won't deny that. You certainly have the courage. But it is the wisdom and power of battle that elude you. You cannot have everything, Link." He began to close the door.

"Hermit," Link said softly, begging.

"Go back home," he said sternly, and closed the door in his face.

Link stared blankly into the yellow door. It was bright and fiery from the sun's reflection.

I have found my new home, Link thought to himself. For a while I didn't think I could have one, but I can, and this is it. I am not going to abandon these people. I am not going to abandon my quest. I'm not going to abandon you, Hermit. You want me to leave, but doing so would defy your very words, Hermit, your only compliment to me. I am Link. I am courageous.

I am not going anywhere.