Chapter -4-
Family Feels Like Family

Daruna 2, 2050AD, Midday
Lanayru Province, Capital City, Hyrule…

LJ adjusted the strap of his satchel. "I know we only just met, and I know I said I'm protective of Aryll, and that I don't want you to meet her right away, but look, what I'm trying to say is that I'm gonna try trusting you, here. Your pronunciation of words is a little … different. And you look so much like me that it's frickin' unnerving. But, if … if … we are related, and if this really is a second language to you, well, your vocabulary is good, and you're quickly picking up my way of speaking it, so, uh, well … uh, anyway, I'm rambling again. My point is … thanks … I appreciate you coming to Lanayru with me."

Link looked from left to right as the two walked briskly up the street together. "The King and Princess were with the Royal Guard. Safe. And when I saw that moblin on the hillside from the observatory window … well, I knew things would be dangerous. Your era is very strange to me. I can only imagine how strange my world must seem to you. I'm the authority on such; I wanted to help. And the teleportation hub was utterly fascinating. I have never traveled between Hyrule and Lanayru quite so quickly."

"Any questions so far?"

"Indeed," Link replied with a firm nod. "Why are the people of Castletown looking at me so strangely?"

"Link, they were just attacked by dog and pig creatures that are holding their own against the police ... and now some guy in a green and red tunic with a sword and shield on his back is walking down the street. You look like something out of a renaissance festival. What I wanna know is why people are outside of their houses with all this crap going on. Most people hide under their beds at the first sign of trouble. Or, at least, one would think."

"People are curious," said Link. "They want to see for themselves what is happening. There is an ingrained logic for many – your home can only provide so much security. These creatures are outlandishly alien. I'm sure, during the initial attack, they did remain inside."

In the distance, a police cruiser drove through an intersection. As it went through, they could hear the PA announcement, "Citizens of Hyrule, please stay inside your homes…"

"That … was a horseless carriage."

"Welcome to the future, I guess. Also, we don't call the Capital City 'Castletown.' And then there's the fact that we have handheld communication devices in our pockets that let us access all the information of the world, but all we use it for is to prove each other wrong in arguments … and, uh, look at pictures of cats."

Awkward silence.

LJ grimaced. "And … jeeze, I guess you will need to know what a 'meme' is. It's basically a thematic running joke, in which anyone can contribute, so long as it stays with the theme and it's relatable. They're hilarious, trust me."

"What a strange place." Link shook his head.

LJ's pace quickened, approaching his condominium.

Link followed closely.

LJ opened the door to the stairwell and led Link up the steps. "I know I said I wasn't going to let you meet Aryll because it's too soon. But then you helped me fight off a pack of robot creatures, and pointed out a walking anthropomorphic bulldog with weapons."

"Not to mention your city was under attack and you had no choice but to traverse it."

"Well, yeah … look, just … don't go kissing her hand. That's just weird for me."

"LJ, I endeavor to use modern culturally acceptable methods of greeting to the best of my ability. You still shake hands, correct?"

"Yeah, sort of."

"Sort of…?" Link furrowed his brows.

"At some point, I'll have to explain fist-bumping. It's actually way more hygienic." LJ started on the second flight of steps. They made their way to a door with a letter on the center. He turned the knob, but it was locked. LJ felt his heart relax. He slid his key in, opened the door, and announced, "Aryll, I'm home and I have a friend."

A thirteen-year-old girl crossed the living room, approached the doorway, and silently hugged her brother, face buried in his neck.

In the background, a television depicted various images of chaos from around the city. It showed a news anchor, briefly, then cut to another image of a battle in progress at the gates of the Royal Compound.

LJ rested his chin on her head. "I'm glad you're okay. I'm sorry it took so long. The mag-rail was shut down and we had to walk from Spectacle Rock to the teleportation hub, then when we got there, half the pads were being used to get people out of the city. We almost had to travel by stranger; we were offered a ride…"

"LJ, you didn't, did you?"

LJ shook his head. "No. I almost accepted, though. Some nerdy tabletop role playing guy who saw our swords, and he wanted to offer 'honorable camaraderie' or something. But, no, we used the teleportation pads, which brought us all the way into Lanayru, thankfully. So, you got a call from Zelda, Princess of Hyrule, huh?"

Aryll drew her head back and offered a weak smile. "Yeah. That was unexpected. At first, I thought it was a joke, but then she offered to do video-chat. Once I saw her face, I recognized her voice and I realized she was the real deal. She explained everything." She withdrew the hug and brushed the wrinkles from her blouse, then gave a firm tug on the hem to make sure it came down over the belt of her jeans.

"Including this guy's origin story?" LJ hooked a thumb over at Link, adding, "Tomorrow, the Doc is swabbing my cheek, and he'll see if we share a familial relation."

"The Princess mentioned that we're likely related, but that we won't know until a DNA test is performed. She started to say something about Sheikah technology being involved but then her guards came up and told her they need to move her to a mobile command bunker, and we started talking about how stressful it must be for her. It was nice to see she has feelings and stressful stuff like anyone else. I really like her as a person." Aryll stole a quick glance at Link with arched eyebrows. "Anyway, I just need to say this … seriously … wow. You two could be twins. So, LJ, this is what you'd look like with longer hair and without that occasional five o'clock shadow, huh?" She performed a practiced curtsy despite wearing a blouse and jeans.

Link offered her a gentleman's bow.

Without warning, Aryll rewarded him with a hug and a chaste kiss on the side of his face. "Thank you for helping my brother. Zelda said your name was also Link. The clothes are a little strange, but I've always liked kilts, so uh, the tunic…? Yeah, it kinda works for you." She glanced back at LJ, hooked a thumb over her shoulder, gesturing toward her room, and cleared her throat. "So, do I pack, and we go somewhere safe? Or are we staying here?"

LJ looked at Link. They both shrugged.

Awkward silence.

LJ turned back to his sister and said, "We didn't think that far in advance. I just had to make sure you're safe. That was the first thing on my mind. It's probably too dangerous outside. The police are telling people to stay indoors. Link, here, was given special permission to come with me, but at some point, he's going to have to return to the research facility."

"Special permission?" she asked.

"He's not even a citizen, officially speaking."

"It's true," Link replied.

Aryll furrowed her brows. "Uh, how does THAT work…?"

LJ cleared his throat, trying to think of a way to word what he had to tell her. "Link is from … uh, well…" He glanced at Link.

"Honesty, as confusing as it sometimes is, has always been the best policy," Link interjected, adding, "so please believe me when I tell you that I am being honest with you, Ms. Aryll. I was born in 1654."

She dead-panned and blinked twice.

Silence.

LJ turned to Link and tilted his head. "Wait, you're only twenty-one? Hah! I'm twenty-two; I'm a year older than you!"

Link tilted his head in confusion. "Age is not a competition. It is something we cannot control in our lives."

Aryll rolled her eyes. "LJ, you might be older, but you don't act your age very often."

"Yeah? You're the one who is thirteen, acting like a grumpy old sourpuss. You need to act your age more often, kiddo." He offered his sister a slight grin. "So. Yeah. According to Dr. Bagu, who is a fan of my book series by the way, Link, here, was put into cryogenic stasis in 1675."

"Wait, hold up." She lifted her hands. "Let me get this right … so, the Sheikah had fancy technology centuries ago, that worked so well that, even after it was buried for a while, then used during the middle ages, it continued to operate centuries later? And we're only just finding out about this … now?"

"Apparently," said LJ, adding, "But that's for Sheikah Mechanics and Hylian Digest to publish once all this crazy weird nonsense stops. I'm sure things will blow over soon. But Dr. Bagu identified the Sheikah tribe as the original builders based on their runic markings inside the stasis pod, but they don't have anything like this anymore. He's gonna let me have first dibs on studying it for my next book. The Sheikah want to reverse engineer it and study how their ancestors built it, but obviously surviving the attack on the city comes first."

Aryll nodded, then asked, "So, this Bagu guy … he found your twin in a cryo-pod thing? Dating back to the middle ages? That would mean he's our …what? Sixth? Seventh great grandfather? Tenth? I mean, almost four hundred years? I mean, that's a lot of generations."

LJ mirrored her nod as a reply to her statement. "Yeah, it is. Three hundred seventy-five years is a long time … I would guess about thirteen generations. Apparently, he was brought out of stasis by the archeologists who found him. Yesterday. So, let's try not to talk over his head. There's a lot of words and terms and things he hasn't heard before. I don't want to overwhelm him by referring to internet memes he's never even seen before, you know?"

"With all due respect, LJ, Aryll, I have seen fantastic, mystical, and unexplainable things. A world of technology has rhyme and reason. Ganon's world, on the other hand, fit well with the definition of 'overwhelming.' LJ, it's best you stay here and keep Ms. Aryll safe. I want to investigate the reason for the attack. There has to be some connection."

"Uh, why?"

"Your time was peaceful, then I'm awoken from my sleep, and the next day there are multiple attacks on multiple fronts. Considering the fact that we saw those robots searching for something in that room with the workbenches, my first guess is that these 'Darkworld' creatures may be here searching for something as well. What surprises me the most is that they've kept their Darkworld appearance, instead of adopting a normal look, here in the Light World. They must each have a device akin to the Moon Pearl, but from their side, which allows them to retain their Darkworld attributes. Including their strength, size, and thick hide."

"We can figure out the details later," said LJ. "We don't have the authority to just go investigating weird stuff, especially during a lockdown of the tri-city area. We have military intelligence and government think-tanks for this sort of thing. They'll determine how those creatures got over here, how the robots were powered up … everything."

"I see. LJ, if they find whatever it is that they're looking for … well, let's just say that Ganon doesn't do anything without having a plan. It is in his nature to plan things out first. Whatever is being hunted for is something that will help him. Whatever helps him hurts us."

Aryll cut in. "You need to be prepared too. Both of you."

"Both of us?" asked LJ.

"Yes, both of you. It took the two of you, together, to keep the Royal Family safe today, or at least that is how Princess Zelda made things sound. You did something that armed guards and a high-ranking military officer couldn't do … protect the King and Princess. LJ, I'm really proud of you for being able to do what you did today. But, please just hear me out … you would be even more prepared if Link, here, trained you how to use weapons, especially the ones you mention in your book. And swords. Things you don't have to reload."

"If you think it'll help me keep you safe."

Link clasped LJ's shoulder and, in a firm but tender voice, said, "It's best you learn proficiency in all weapon types. Teach me how to use your modern weapons, and I will teach you how to use a sword and a bow. You'll need everything at your disposal to keep your sister safe."

LJ glanced side-long at Link. "My sister? I thought the Royal Family was the target?"

Link frowned. His eyes lowered, briefly, then he spoke in earnest. "Ganon personally sought out my mother and father, razed the prefecture where I was born. Nothing stood, not greenwood nor grimalkin."

"What do cats have to do with…?"

"I meant it as a figure of speech. Hearken to this gudgeon who thought I, destined to be a simple husbandman, howbeit overconfident with the habiliment of the hero, failed his queen. I allowed mine-self to believe in a preconceived notion than this green kirtle and this sword was enough."

"But it wasn't, huh?"

"Not by far, for in sooth, while your history lauds me as some noble and gallant warrior, I could not stop Ganon from imprisoning and assassinating the queen of Calatia. I still have not confirmed the fate of Queen Seline, I know only that I failed her. There are journals and a private garland of tomes in the royal library."

Aryll frowned. "Maybe you'll feel better after a hot bath. I know that's what works for me."

Link sniffed the front of his tunic. "A bath? Does my garb smell of Tracy's elixir?"

"Who is Tracy?" asked Aryll.

"A magdalen-turned-apothecary. I confess I've known dreams of her, but only one lady holds my amorevolous adoration: Zelda. My Zelda. Princess, gentlewoman, scholar…"

Aryll's eyes shined in the room lighting. "Was she your lover?"

"She was more than some … 'freond.' She was to be my betrothed. And without her in my life, no fairy can restore the emptiness I feel in my heart." Link took a deep breath, sighed softly, and said, "If Ganon is truly behind this series of onslaughts upon Hyrule, he'll know by now that you are involved." Link met LJ's gaze and gestured to Aryll with his left hand. "Listen well, LJ. Ganon is the kind of creature that will no doubt speculate our possible kindred connection, whether in sooth or otherwise, and he'll assail your sister. His every undertaking will be to hurt you; he will seek to break your spirit. He knows the only way to best you is besiege you with warfare of the mind and heart."

"That's not going to happen," said LJ, resolve in his voice. "I'd kick his mythological ass right back to his fairytale land."

"LJ!"

LJ winced and looked over at Aryll.

She pointed in the direction of the kitchen.

LJ fished a rupee from his pocket and walked into the kitchen. He plunked the rupee into a 'curse jar,' which was a third of the way full.

In the living room, Aryll said, "Your way of talking changed when you got emotional. I don't follow all your words, but I understand your meaning for most. It sounds like you're trying to use modern terms until you get emotional. Is there anything I can do to help relax you? Something to eat or drink, maybe?"

"I shall endeavor not to mix tongues."

LJ came back out of the kitchen, cleared his throat, and said, "Okay. Nobody is mixing tongues, here."

"LJ!"

"Aryll…" LJ cut his gaze to Link and said, "Okay, let's move some of the furniture into the den, then put the guest room blankets up on the walls. How do we protect ourselves from accidentally hitting each other with these swords?"

Link shook his head. "You don't sword practice fight with real swords. It ruins the blade. We will learn with weighted sticks. We'll have to find…"

LJ snapped his fingers. "There's a sports store across the street. Close enough that we can all go together."

"The city is under seige," Link reasoned. "By 'sports store' I assume you mean merchants? Would they not close and secure their doors? Based on the lock down procedures I have witnessed thus far, especially on the way here, it seems your tri-city area is running at limited capacity."

LJ grinned in reply. "Obviously you don't know about the corporate world. It's all about making that rupee. Trust me. They'll be open. They'll be selling hunting rifles and ammo out the wazoo right now. But they also sell fencing stuff. I'll have to put it on credit card, though. We can get sparring gear and protective pads and headgear, too."

"Very well, LJ. It is your world; I am simply here for the pilgrimage, no matter its duration. Let us move your furnishings, then we might all abscond to this weapon's merchant together. The sooner we begin, the better."

"Well, they sell more than weapons. It's a sporting goods store."

"Ah."

Aryll went to the window and glanced out the corner, which faced toward the direction of the street. "You ever get the feeling that this is the calm before the storm? Maybe we shouldn't go."

Link turned to LJ. "Remove the arming sword from its sheath. The Hyrulian knightly sword given to you was of exceptional quality, but for our practice, we will require use of its scabbard. We'll fashion a makeshift handle for our sword casings, and practice with those instead. I'll also show you how to operate some of the artifacts we brought. From what I can tell, each device still appears to properly operate."

"All right. I didn't want to put anything on the emergency credit card anyhow. Okay. Let's get started. If Ary is right, the 'storm' might hit while we're out shopping. Besides, I've seen enough movies and shows, and read enough books to know that if it's quiet right now … it won't stay that way."

"I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'movies and shows' but yes, I've read story books. Story telling is something to keep the reader engaged. But this? This is real life, LJ. Let us hope that the tri-city area finds a measure of calm while I teach you the basics in the art of weaponry. Let's also hope that the moblins do not find what they're looking for."

"Yeah, let's hope." LJ sighed softly and gestured across the living room, away from the direction of the kitchen. "Alright, alright. So, uh … grab that end of the sofa. I'll swing around and you'll back up into the den."

The boys lifted the couch and moved it out of the living room so that they'd have room to practice.

"And I hope you're right, Link. I'm not ready to go up against one of those robot things again, that's for sure. I almost got my butt handed to me, and I don't know how to handle myself if I get my shoulder hurt again. I don't know what Zelda did but that was amazing."

"With all due respect," said Link, backing into the den with the furniture, "it would be most respectful to include her title when speaking of her. And … does your syntax and grammar truly promote the use of wording such as, 'if I get my shoulder hurt again? Because that makes little sense."

"Yeah, yeah. Alright. Hylian is a living language. That means it evolves. Colloquialisms, you know what those are, right? And if enough people end sentences in a preposition, then, over time, it becomes an accepted format, then it becomes a standard format. How about you learn our way of speaking it, and keep up?"

"I shall endeavor to do my best. I have purposefully emulated some of your grammar and syntax, and I shall continue to do so to the best of my ability."

"Good, you'll fit right in, in no time. Anyhow, let me get some duct tape and I'll break a broom handle, then we'll get started with using the case-thingies of the swords. I just … I think I'm still hopped up on adrenaline or something."

"Our first lesson will be sheaths and scabbards." Link smirked.

"Let's just hope everything stays quiet for now," said Aryll. "I'm not feeling very enthusiastic about seeing one of those creatures up close and personal." She went to the window again and sighed. "Still. Even though we're staying inside, I really feel like the proverbial crap is about to hit the figurative fan, y'know?"

Link removed the Master Sword from its decorative case and laid it across the kitchen table. "The two of you speak so strangely at times."

"Yup. Damn that's a beautiful friggin' sword."

"It's good you honor its beauty, but it is not a 'friggin' sword,' LJ. It is a blade that is found in only the most sacrosanct of homes throughout the ages of Hyrule."

"I'll have more respect for it."

Link replied with a warm smile. He removed the shorter sword from its case and laid it adjacent to the Master Sword, with care and admiration for the blades. Then, Link approached LJ and took a moment to examine the birthmark on his left hand. "I was once torn between my desire to be in control of my destiny, and the comfortably numb idea of relaxing into whatever plan the goddesses may have for me. And perhaps there is a bit of fate and freewill blended into each one of our lives at the end of the day … but there's one thing no one can'st deny."

"Yeah?"

Link nodded. "For both of us to meet like this … for both of us, two people from different times, to meet in an enormous world full of hundreds of thousands of people…"

"Billions," Aryll corrected, masking her reply as a cough.

"Then that proves it," said Link. "In a world of billions of people, for two people to meet that look alike, and both have this birthmark…for us to come together and save the Princess and King, and fight together, and consider that we may very well be related … such is obvious fate is at work. As the village elder would say, it is mathematically impossible for us to meet as a coincidence. The conditions were too perfect. I honestly believe, with all my heart, that we're a family. And we should stick together. Because, as it stands right now, you two are the only family I have left."

LJ grimaced. "I mean, it's not proven yet … you know … that we're related."

Aryll elbowed her brother. In a soft tone, she whispered, "Shut up. He's not your clone, so what else can he be? Jeeze, LJ. Look at him. He's family. He even has the same ears as us."

Link slumped down onto a kitchen chair with a sigh. "Yesterday I defeated Ganon. And for a few days leading up to that event, I was fighting for my life through the dungeons of ancient Hyrule. I have not had a chance for bereavement."

Aryll turned to LJ. "What's that mean?" she asked in a soft voice.

"When you're out of work due to a funeral, it's called bereavement pay. It doesn't take away from your vacation or personal days."

"Oh…" She turned back to Link. "Who are you grieving for?"

Link grimaced. "I have yet to grieve. That is … that's … my point. I have not had time to really … to mourn the death of my mother and father. And even now, the dust hasn't settled for me … I am using that euphemism correctly, yes? I learned it from Bagu."

Aryll approached Link and wrapped her arms around him. "Yes, you did. I'm sorry about your mom and dad. I know how you feel, and I know that, right now, everything is still raw for you. But you have us. I'm a really good judge of character, and I can tell that you're a trustworthy guy. I promise you're not alone in this whole grieving thing. If you need to vent, or if you need a shoulder, or if you just need anything at all, just tell us."

Link looked up at LJ who offered a slow nod to show silent approval. Link slid his arm around Aryll and returned the hug. "Thank you, both of you."

"You're welcome," she said, then sighed, resting her chin on his head. She placed her left hand on the backrest of Link's kitchen chair, where he was seated, and she pivoted away from Link, stealing a glance over at her brother. Her eyes shifted, looking past LJ to something across the condo. She stood there, as if transfixed.

LJ could tell by the look on her face that something bothered her. He followed her gaze to the living room window. LJ crossed the room and glanced out to the street. He was starting to feel it, too. Things were about to get bad. Real bad. He felt the worry and anxiety stirring in his gut. The air felt thick, strange. Even the barometric pressure started to drop at a noticeable rate. He closed the window with a sigh and slid the lock into place.

"You feel that?" she asked.

LJ afforded her with a nod, then turned to his houseguest. "Okay, Link. Let's get started. I need to be prepared because I think Aryll is right. Something big is going to happen and, somehow, I feel like we're going to be right in the middle of it."

"Yes. That birthmark on your left hand … on our left hand … it's a blessing of courage, but it's also a curse that our family must bear. In my time, it was called the Mark of the Hero. Said to be placed upon us by Hylia to make clear the warrior chosen by the goddesses. In my time, people treated me with respect, not because I'd earned it from a young age, but because they knew that my life would become very difficult. Some even pitied me for it."

"Curse or not, those dog-faced bast…" he stole a glance at Aryll, then cleared his throat, and continued, "…things invaded my hometown. And I intend to fight back." He eyed Aryll, cleared his throat a second time, and forced a fleeting smile. "Okay, so … what do you think?"

"Do you even have to ask? The King and Princess are involved. See? This morning, when you asked which tie you should wear? I chose the green one. It's the same color as his tunic, LJ."

"Aryll, this isn't one of your games or your fan fictions."

"LJ, shut up about that right now. Listen to me. I have a feeling about this guy. You don't feel that chemistry? You can trust him. I've known him less than fifteen minutes and I already feel like I can trust him. This isn't some terrorist attack, it's organized, but it's not like the news is saying 'blah, blah, the targets are chosen based on strategic value, blah, blah.' No, the news is saying that targets are places with the most civilians and also basic but important…" she trailed off to think of the word. "Stars with 'I' and means roads and power places…"

"Yeah, infrastructure." LJ ran his fingers back through his tousled blond locks. "But I get what you mean. Soft targets." LJ frowned. He stole a glance at Link then reached up and rubbed his temples with a drawn-out sigh. "Okay, so … if we're really being attacked by freaking Ganon then we need to think this through. He's said to want to rule over people, right? That's the mythology we hear growing up. Well, with every conqueror, there is always a resistance. And that's going to be us, Ganon or not."

"Well met, LJ. Let us put together some measure of plan, something we can bring to the Princess."

LJ eyed Link with confusion. "Why Zelda? Why not her father?"

"Because after spending the day with them, I have learned that she is a born natural tactician. Her father has her training with the top military generals, and she is, at least by an official status, a military leader. But due to her youth, she serves in the military and her leadership is just a formality. The point I wish to covey is that she has the ear of the top military leaders."

Aryll smiled. "So, she's humble enough to not pull rank. Nice. I like her." Aryll cut her gaze to LJ and said, "I totally ship you guys, by the way."

LJ blinked. "Wait, what? Zelda?!"

Aryll nodded emphatically.

"Ary, I barely know her."

Link said, "I do not know the term 'ship,' except in the nautical sense, but I know the tone of your voice, Ms. Aryll. If you are suggesting what I believe you to be suggesting, I wish to tell you that your brother was somewhere between scarlet and crimson when she spoke to him. I dare say he was smitten with her."

Aryll squealed. "Okay, I need to pack a bag, just in case we're leaving. I need to process this. I ship that ship shipping ship shipping ships of shipping ships shipped to Ship-Town." She walked away from the boys, squealing her way down the hall, until she disappeared into her room. She shut her door and squealed again.

LJ placed his palm firmly over his face. "God dammit."

Link tilted his head. "I have no earthly idea what she just said, or why she utilized various conjugations of the same word, repeatedly, but … I know what it means when a girl squeaks in such a manner. She considers you to be compatible with the Princess."

LJ groaned into his hand. "Can you not?"

"Can'st I not … do what?"

"Stop. Just … just stop. Please. Holy Hylia, just … freaking stop. I don't need you two trying to play matchmaker between me and a member of the royal family. Okay? Please."

"As you wish, but I do not think your sister will 'stop' just because you are embarrassed. I believe it will only drive her further to…"

"I know. And I'm not looking forward to that. Like, at all. Not even remotely. And 'shipping' is a modern word for trying to pair someone in a relationship. Okay, look, let's just change the subject. We need to discuss a plan of action, Link. I'm serious. Just in case the approaching attacks make their way to this side of the beltway, okay? Lanayru is a solid fifteen to twenty minute drive from Hyrule Capital, but … look, let's just prepare, okay?"

"As you wish," Link replied with a firm nod. As an afterthought, he said, "How do you transverse if the teleportation pads go down?"

"I own a motorcycle," said LJ. "It's a custom frame."

"I do not know the term."

"You know how you refer to automobiles as 'horseless carriages,' Link? A motorbike is basically a steel horse. They weigh about six-to-eight hundred pounds, have lots of torque, and will get you where you want to go quickly. They operate on two wheels."

"How do you balance it?"

"It's easier than you might think. Why do you ask?"

"We may need a method of transportation if the transportation hub ceases to function."

LJ grimaced. "I could hook up my Master Cycle Zero to a sidecar if I had to. But I guess you're right."

"Master Cycle Zero?"

"It's what I named it. You know, maybe we could talk Zelda into getting on board with putting together a project where the military builds some sort of siege engine vehicles. If these attacks are from the mythological Ganon, the guy has always fought against Hylia's hero, right? He won't stand a chance against the might of Hyrule's military, especially if a couple of tanks roll up on his ass."

"Agreed. I do not know what a 'tank' is, but I know what a siege engine is, especially one on wheels. But they would have to be well armored and well-armed devices. Machines, rather. Also, Ganon does not utilize a donkey."

"I was kidding about the siege engines. I still don't believe some ancient mythological creature is attacking Hyrule. Also ... a donkey? Where'd that come from?"

"You spoke of 'rolling up on his ass.' But I'm telling you he does not…"

LJ stopped Link, mid-sentence, by waving his hands. "No, no, just … ugh. Forget about it. I mean Hyrule would stomp Ganon's backside. His butt, dude. We, as a people, have evolved a lot, Link. We've come a long, long way in the last two centuries. We have fighter jets and tanks and shoulder-mounted rocket launchers. But whatever is going on out in the city? That's guerilla warfare tactics. So, if it's some terrorist out there, destroying things in the name of a mythological villain…"

"LJ, you saw the moblins. Did those look fake to you?"

LJ frowned. "No, actually they didn't. All right. Look, let's get ahold of the Royal Family and see if they want us to bring you back to them, or … whatever. We need to figure out our next course of action."

"Agreed. And then? We must, uh, roll up on… no, wait, stomp … Ganon's ass." Link nodded firmly.

LJ brought the palm of his hand to his face.

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2013's A/N: Okay! So now we get to see things like Link having feelings. Dude's a genuine person. And we see that they're questioning things that Ganon told Link in the prologue, and wondering about the goddesses.

We also get to see that they have some measure of chemistry; LJ was quick to challenge Link in conversation during the last chapter, but now he's starting to see more of himself in Link. And they're starting to trust one another.

Plus I'm building more of the world. It's modern, like our own. Sporting stories, credit cards, cuss jars, condos, automobiles, ren-fests… it's all very normal.

But what happens when fiction and fantasy slam into science and society?
I have no idea but I have a feeling we're going to find out in the next chapter!

Thanks again for reading!