Chapter -5-
Catalyst
Daruna 3, 2050AD late evening
Lanayru, Hyrule
"Hey, wake up. Link? Wake up." The voice of Aryll brought him from his sleep. He rubbed his face then looked from her to her brother. Link saw LJ standing further back with a look of concern on his face.
Link licked his lips. "Wh… was I…?"
"Yeah," she said.
"Were you ever," LJ added almost over top of her reply.
Aryll made a quick, sharp gesture at her older brother to be quiet. In an empathetic tone, she said, "LJ is a pretty deep sleeper, and you woke him up, too. I know this is a sensitive topic but…" she trailed off and drew her lower lip between her teeth. "How do I ask this delicately…"
"Yes," said Link in a soft tone. "I was there when they died. I didn't witness it, but I was close enough to hear my parents call my name. I felt helpless. At the time, I didn't know Ganon was to blame. I was fighting moblins that were setting fires to various homes. It wasn't until later that I learned, from Ganon himself, that he ordered his hoarde to target my family, and they died while I was trying to stop the moblins from killing as many families as they could. But … yes, I heard them. They were just on the other side of a wall of crackling flames … a fire so tall and so loud that it should have been impossible to hear anything over the roar of flame, and yet … I knew their voices. I knew it was them screaming. I could not … I didn't know how to breach the flame, and so I chose to save a young girl, with her entire life ahead of her, instead … and I carried that with me on my quest to Hyrule, and I felt so much frustration with myself … until Ganon boasted that he had them killed. That won't happen again. Not with the two of you. I'll keep you both safe. I'll be prepared for anything well in advance. I was too naïve and powerless when it happened to my family. Just know … I have come a long way since then; you're both safe with me. I promise you."
"Don't worry about us, Link. We feel safe," LJ said. "We're not worried about that, man. We're worried about you."
"I … do not understand why you would feel concern for me? I have already beaten Ganon once, and I shall do it once more."
"Look, Link," LJ trailed off with a soft sigh. His voice softened a bit. "As it turns out, you're a really good guy. And you didn't deserve that crap. I know we only just met, like, yesterday. But you went to bed before the sun went down; Dr. Bagu called me last night around seven-ish. He already had the results of the DNA test. I was going to tell you in the morning but … anyway, he confirmed that Aryll and myself are both direct mitochondrial descendants … am I saying that right? Anyway, look, the way he explained it, we're related on our mother's side. Apparently, he has this theory that the 'mark of the hero' is passed down through the mother's bloodline."
Link feigned a tired smile. "So, we are related."
"Directly on our mother's side, yeah."
"Did the Doctor say anything else?"
"Well, yeah." LJ cleared his throat. "He said the king asked him to be part of a personal advisory board on the 'Ganon situation' after the king witnessed moblins fighting the castle guardsmen. Yesterday, a medical examiner was called in to perform an emergency autopsy report on one of the creatures that attacked Hyrule yesterday, and it was determined that they have very little human DNA in their blood. So, Gustaf the Eighth is now building a team that can advise him on how to handle moblins and other such creatures, because the king now agrees with you: Ganon is real. So. I'll be skeptical, and I'll question reality, but … the evidence is starting to add up, and I guess I owe you an apology for scoffing at you yesterday."
"I appreciate that most deeply, my friend." Link forced a very slight smile, adding, "My thirteenth great grandson sounds a bit … trite … if not banal to the point of awkwardness. So … friends?"
"Friends," LJ replied with a nod and a handshake. "So, yeah, with a little time and effort, you'll have my help in this crap. This Ganon-guy, if he's really real, and he's really behind all this, is said to have got his butt handed to him by you once already. Just imagine going up against two of us at the same time, yeah? We'll stomp his..." LJ froze then cut his gaze over to Aryll, cleared his throat, and said, "We'll stomp his … heinie…?"
"LJ, he gets it," she said with a dry laugh. She shook her head. "You two'll kick his tail out of this century and send it back to year one." She went to the fridge, took a bottle of water from the bottom shelf, and handed it to him. "Here. It's dangerous to sweat that much. Take this." She reached for a small towel on the oven handle and passed it to him. "And this."
Link feigned a weak smile. "Funny, not too long ago, an old man said that to me before giving me a weapon, because I arrived in Hyrule from Calatia with absolutely nothing but the clothes upon my back. "A hero isn't supposed to show weakness," he said, taking the cloth and the bottle of water. "I appreciate it. I'm embarrassed." He scrutinized the bottle of water, trying to figure out how to open it.
"Nonsense," Aryll replied almost overtop of his words. She smiled. "It's a secret to everybody." She took the bottle back from Link, demonstrated the ease of opening the twist cap, and handed it back to him. Then, she turned to LJ and shooed her older brother away with her hands. "He needs a moment. Move. Move your butt. Back to home base, you."
The siblings retreated to their bedrooms, leaving Link alone. He made his way back to the modular sofa with a sigh, looked around, slumped upon it, and took a sip of the water. It was crisp, refreshing, and surprisingly delicious. "This is the best and clearest water I've ever … wow." He drank heavily from the bottle, two thirds of it, and then he took a moment to figure out how the cap threaded back onto the bottle.
Link leaned back to try and relax his body. The sectional pieces slid apart on the carpet, causing his backside to sink down between the square sections of sofa, which scooted apart from the way he stretched out upon them.
He huffed in frustration then rolled off the couch and pushed it back together.
Silence.
Link approached the living room window and gazed out into the night.
Perhaps the young girl was wrong. It had been an entire night since the attack concluded. He recalled her words yesterday, showing her concern that they were currently living in the 'calm before the storm.' But it had been twenty-four hours and there was still no second attack.
He took another sip from the water bottle then wiped his forehead with the cloth. His mind shifted to other possibilities. "What if that initial attack was for reconnaissance?" The sound of his own voice startled him from his reverie.
He walked away from the window and dropped back onto the large couch, careful not to spill his water.
Link's eyes shifted to the weapons against the living room wall. He reflected on the young man with whom he shared an appearance.
"LJ is brave, but he requires a great deal of training. Perhaps it might be best to consider his next lesson at first light. If he pays his debts and provides for this household with but the earnings of his writings, then surely he has time by the light of day to spend on training. Mayhap it best to spend these next days, thrice, these … no, I will learn to say it the way they say it. Even if I must practice my every waking moment in which I am alone. Ahem. Perhaps I … will … spend the next … three days … on training LJ to learn basic proficiency with the weapons of my time period. There. I believe that sounds most like how he would have said such."
Silence.
Link replaced the cap on the water once again, set it in a cylindrical opening roughly the size of the bottle, which was set into an armrest in part of the sectional sofa, and drew the blankets upon himself. "Regardless of this … this 'couch' and its vexing ability to separate with ease, it cannot be understated the level of comfort with which the peoples of modern Hyrule seem to enjoy. And to think, LJ spoke of this level of living as average, as neither upper nor lower class. Mayhap … eh … perhaps it would be best if I stop speaking aloud to myself, as though it would somehow bring me comfort in this … time of solitude."
Again, he sighed softly, turned the pillow over, closed his eyes, and relaxed at the wonderful sensation of the cooler side of the pillow upon his face.
X
X
Daruna 6, 2050 afternoon
Lanayru, Hyrule...
Zelda brought a gloved hand up and adjusted her pearl necklace. She slid her palm down over her conservative business suit, smoothing a fabric dune over her taut mid-section. She cut her gaze to her father then back to the Prime Minister, Security Advisor, General of the Army, and the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defense.
She knew her role in the meeting was to listen and to learn, but she felt frustration well up within her. "Gentlemen." Her voice surprised everyone in attendance. They turned to face her, confusion on their faces. Zelda folded her arms. "Have you all been briefed on the two men, my age, responsible for the rescue at the research facility? I've been doing my own research on the situation, because nobody else seems to pay them any mind. I understand all of you have intelligence divisions. I respect the think tanks that keep our country safe, but these two young men are important variables. If you'll hear me out, I can explain myself."
The king frowned, looked at the group then closed his eyes and sighed. "That was a one-time occurrence and a isolated event in all matters of public security."
"Daddy, please. There is no harm is listening to my thoughts on the matter. You've not asked what I think and it's been a week. I have something on my mind, and now is the time to share it."
"Very well," said Gustaf, softly.
Zelda cleared her throat and walked away from the table. She withdrew a data chip from her pocket and slid it into a nearby laptop. A holographic emitter displayed a graphical user interface. She reached her gloved fingers into the image, causing the edges of the image to respond with slight distortion on the edges of the rendered, free-floating display.
She manipulated the interface, located a file, then opened several images. "We had a DNA test on both men. They're related, yet they look identical. If they had been brothers, I would have thought them to be twins. But the DNA test shows that the man named Link that was revived from cryogenic stasis after being unearthed by archeologists…well…to be blunt, they're approximately four centuries apart. Something in Link's chromosomes, called telomeres, have been measured, showing his physical age to be approximately twenty-one years. Pollen in his clothing has been sent to experts, showing that he walked Hyrule approximately four centuries ago. Every test we've run proves his story is legitimate. And if this is so, it's reasonable to assume two things. One, he is the Hero that is mentioned in Sanctuary School; the very same Hero that we grew up hearing about as children. And if that is the case, it's reasonable to assume he has, in fact, been in combat with the leader of the forces who have attacked us a few days ago. This makes him the authority on this enemy, and it means we should consider what he knows as tactical intelligence. His information may help us to make good decisions."
The Prime Minister lifted his right index finger then said, "Alright. Princess, you did research. I'm not sure I'm convinced that we have unearthed the Savior of Hyrule. Plus, I understand he took that sword with him; the initial tests had very debatable results that border on fantasy. Who knows if those computers were correctly calibrated or…" He paused, took a calming breath, then said, "I agree, however, that we should talk to him and listen to what he has to say. It will be up to our intelligence people to reject or accept what this man has to say."
The General cleared his throat, drawing attention of the group, and said, "Until we determine our next major course of action, we should make defense our top priority. Now, as I said at the security meeting the other day, these creatures showed up at random throughout the city. There is no way of locking down the city to keep them out. Now we think that they could have had sleeper agents already in position. But every report to come in from the police has suggested that these creatures are not Hylian. So that raises two issues. First of all, we have to assume that this wasn't the main attack. They showed up, raised hell," he nodded to Zelda, "pardon my colorful language, Princess," then continued, "It's likely that they were here to test our response times, scout the area up close, and then leave. But last night, I was reading the report about the autopsy on two of the bodies. They're powerful, capable, and dangerous. But their brains are not all that impressive."
The security minister rubbed his chin. "Which raises the question: why send idiots to do recon? Their information would be limited. Perhaps they were testing our response times, and another possibly smarter member was in charge of notating whatever they needed for strategic…"
The head of the police interrupted him. "Minister, we have two bodies, both the same, suggesting that they're some sort of neanderthal creatures. These troglodytes might have caught us by surprise, but who is to say that there are smarter ranks? They showed up, they raised a fuss, and they disappeared. Their brains are small. Maybe they're a new race?"
"One thing is for sure," said the General. "They left their dead behind. That's not very civilized. They have small brains. However, they wear clothing and armor, they use weapons and put up a fierce fight against trained officers. Let's face it, everyone. These creatures were able to mount an efficient resistance against our people, who are better armed and trained to use tactical procedures. The fact the enemy did so much damage is alarming."
"Aye," the King murmured. "Most alarming. Their ability to circumvent our forces puts the citizens in jeopardy; we need to figure out how to defend our nation and keep our Ops staff safe."
The General folded his arms. "We have a lot to consider. First of all, this base is one of the most secure places in the city and has the technology to accommodate our needs. We should all remain here. Furthermore, due to timing, it's likely that the robotic attack on the research facility was somehow related. What if we're dealing with a higher intelligence that uses the robots and the dog-faced creatures as some sort of pawns?"
Zelda closed her eyes and drew three calming breaths. "Gentlemen." She licked her lips, trying not to be frustrated with their inability to see the larger picture. "I'm going to seek out Link. Daddy, with your blessing, I'm going to ask him to speak to the head of the Royal Guard and then we're going to lock down the Royal Compound and, using Link's intel on the matter, we will prepare for a second attack according to his input." She turned to her father expectantly.
"Zelda…" Gustaf eyed her for a moment then nodded. "Very well. I'm going to work with these men to keep the city safe. They're educated and have studied recent battles and wars from throughout recorded history. That's knowledge that rulers from Link's time wouldn't have had, provided you're right in your belief that he is from the Middle Ages. Could you get started on putting palace security measures in place using Link's experience? Also, keep Link's apparent descendant safe, and his immediate family. If Link sees these people as family, the enemy will move to capture and use them against him. I want the whole group locked down at the Royal Compound, and this is the last I want to hear on the issue until further notice. You keep the Royal Compound safe. My duty is to the rest of the city and the public."
"A wise suggestion, Sire," said the Prime Minister.
"Don't patronize me," said Gustaf to the Prime Minister. He moved around the table and fixed the man's tie. "And stop anxiously fidgeting with your tie in my presence. I know we don't always see eye to eye, but right now we're on the same side. On all issues. We have to work together without any sarcasm or chiding remarks."
"Very well. Needless to say, I agree wholeheartedly that you put your daughter on that task, and leave the public to the rest of us."
Gustaf narrowed his gaze. "The Royal Family has secrets and treasures that we hold in the highest regard. I'm not sending her 'home' to 'guard the house.' The security of the Royal Compound is something I take seriously. Zelda is capable of leading the Royal Guardsmen in my absence." He turned to his daughter and added, "I understand they are at the Kasuto residence, not far from here. Take soldiers, escort the Kasuto family to the Royal Compound, and lock it down. And, if Link still has the Master Sword, have him put it into the pedestal in the sacred Cathedral in the Temple of Time. If it fits, contact me immediately."
Gustaf turned back to the group and added, "That pedestal has a slot for a blade, but somehow repels other objects from being inserted. It's one of the Ancient Royal Family's most guarded locations. We still, to this day, keep guards stationed at the egress. It's a great honor to protect that temple. If that boy can put his sword into the pedestal, I'll take him serious. Now…" He turned back to Zelda. "I will stay in contact with you every four hours – no exceptions. Every four hours."
She leaned up and brushed her lips against her father's trim-whiskered face. Zelda whispered something in his ear then nodded to the rest of the group. She walked to the exit and put her palm on a plate by the door. The princess leaned in and hovered her face over a scanning device. The security door slid open. She left the room. It slid shut again with a hiss of air pressure.
Zelda withdrew her personal network communicator phone. The encryption software flashed a ready prompt on the screen then she dialed a number. A moment later, she said, "Priority connect; I need emergency access to the citizen phone database. Zulu-Echo-Lima-Delta-Alpha. Security code is Hotel, Hotel, Oscar, Foxtrot, t'ree, four, t'ree, seven, Golf, Whisky, Tango. I need an immediate priority connect to a civilian household registered under Link Josiah Kasuto. If it doesn't answer, I need the call to go through to the personal phone registered to him."
She continued down the hallway through the secured complex. Each time she passed a state actor guard, they saluted to her. She nodded in return, listening to the phone chime. After a moment, a male voice answered.
"Is this LJ?"
"Yes, who is…?" He sounded winded, took a moment to catch his breath, and added, "Wait … I recognize that voice. Is this Zelda? Err, I mean, Princess Zelda?"
"It is. Pardon my intrusion. I had to pull your number from the security agency. I know that's illegal, but this is an emergency, and with all due respect to your privacy, national security outweighs the situation here."
"I … yes ma'am. How, uh, can I help you?"
"Is Link with you? And are the two of you well? You sound like you're panting."
"Yes ma'am, we're practicing. He's teaching me how to fight the way he does. What can we do for you?"
"The three of you are requested to accompany me at the Royal Compound until further notice. I would like Link's help to protect the Royal Compound. Also, we wish to extend our umbrella of protection over you and your sister. The DNA test came back – you're related to Link. Some of the old cultures traced the mother's line as the most direct path of an heir, but those cultures are long gone from this world, however some of the lore we have on the Chosen Hero suggests that the hero's gene, which allows them to carry the Triforce of Courage in their heart, is passed down on the mother's side, since the goddess Hylia is the mother of us all. I understand he concluded that his uncle might have had a family. But it appears that he is likely your fourteenth great grandfather, but there is a margin of error that could allow him to be your thirteenth or even as far back as your seventeenth great grandfather. Our testing is accurate to within several generations. But you are a direct descendant on the mother's side for sure. There is no doubt about that. The fact you two could be twins without being a direct paternal-line relative is a bit fascinating, though. Something our geneticists will want to study when the dust settles, I am quite sure."
"I … okay. What do we do?"
Zelda switched the phone to her other ear. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"That was a really big knowledge bomb you just dropped on me. What's that weird noise in the background?"
"I'm on an encrypted line. You're not. You might hear some of the software distortion. Listen, I'm on my way to you. I'm bringing a security entourage. From your home, we're headed directly to the palace. Gather all your belongings. Clothes, computers, whatever you think you'll need. I'll make arrangements for whatever you can't carry. Let's hope this is resolved quickly, but we can't assume anything at this point. We need you three to stay until this situation is completely resolved. You'll be guests of the Royal Family and stay in our security bunker with me. Bring anything you consider irreplaceable, just in case. Family heirlooms, anything you want to keep safe. After all, LJ, you're directly related to the Hero of Legend. I believe he is who he claims to be. And you've rescued me; your most prized possessions are prized by the Royal Family, so please… pack everything you can. We consider heirlooms extremely important in this family, after all."
"Noted. I appreciate it. I'll see you when you arrive. We'll be ready. Uhm. I do have one heirloom that my parents considered a prized possession, but it's not here at home. We keep it in a safe deposit box. Does that count?"
"We'll retrieve it on the way back to the Royal Compound, LJ. Whatever it is, it could be important. Do you know what it is?"
"Some sort of ring we've been passing down since who-knows-when. Thank you, your highness."
"See you soon."
X
X
Daruna 6, 2050, mid-evening
Hyrule Royal Palace...
Link stepped back from the pedestal and bowed to Zelda. The Master Sword stood majestically from the platform, secured within the slot.
"Outstanding," said Zelda. "I last spoke to him two hours ago, but he said he would be in a meeting … still, I simply cannot wait to tell my father at our next phone conversation. Wait…" She took a moment to take a picture and send a text message to her father. "He will receive it when he's able." A pause, then, "Link, is it true that this pedestal is the oldest remaining man-made construction left in the world?"
"As I understand it, yes," he said with a nod. "But it would be wise to confirm it with Dr. Bagu. Did you know that the castle of Hyrule has changed locations? The original was right here. And it guarded the Temple of Time and this very pedestal. But the King felt that having the castle and town so close to the Master Sword brought attention to its resting place inside the Temple of Time. So the castle was rebuilt a ways away. And the original castle was flatted, and an intricate forest was planted around the Temple of Time. It became known as the Lost Woods. In my time, it was a treacherous, overgrown area that was far too dangerous to get through. It was sealed with pendants, magic, and other artifacts. In the end, the person seeking the sword had to be able to traverse the Sacred Lost Woods, bring artifacts, read an inscription in the old tongue, and be related to me by blood. Only then could this sword be withdrawn from this pedestal."
Zelda smiled warmly. "This castle was built to protect this area, and the Temple of Time was restored to its former glory fifteen years after the end of our great war, a century-and-a-half ago. We didn't know the forest was considered sacred. So the woods were used to rebuild homes for the people of Hyrule, because Kakariko and other nearby towns had all been wiped out and burned to the ground during the war."
"Heartbreaking." Link frowned.
"It's the reason we plant a tree on the corner of every intersection, to give back to the land that gave us new homes after the war."
"I wasn't clear, your highness. I meant that the loss of people's homes and their livelihood being … how you say … 'wiped out' … was tragic. That is what I consider heartbreaking."
"Ah. Yes, well, we weathered that storm and now Hylians are living at the technological height of our civilization. And with any luck, we will never plateau. We will only ever achieve greater enlightenment and understanding."
"I like that you're such an optimist." He turned to LJ and Aryll then waved them forward. "I want to test a theory." He turned back to Zelda and motioned to the Master Sword. "Please, your highness, try and remove it?"
Zelda put her hands on it and pulled. The sword remained securely in the pedestal. It shifted, but only left and right in its plinth. "I can move it, but I cannot pull it free."
"Well, that's something," said LJ.
Link then waved over the nearest guard at the entrance of the temple. "Please, sir, try and remove this sword."
The guard tried with all his might. He strained hard but could not remove the sword. He put a foot on the pedestal and used his back and legs to try and withdraw, but it didn't even so much as budge in the slightest.
Link clasped the man on his shoulder. "It's alright. I believe it is technology related, or some sort of magic that keeps it in place." He then turned to Aryll. "Miss Aryll … would you like to try?"
"M…me?"
"If the research done by her highness is accurate, you are my descendant. You should be able to pull it out, as well as your brother. Humor me?"
"Yes, of course, Link." Aryll put her hands on the sword and tried to lift but it wouldn't budge. "I…it won't work."
"Don't give up. Keep trying."
She bit her lower lip, took the sword firmly in her palms, and she opened her stance. Aryll lifted with all the strength she could muster. She put a foot on the base the way the guard did, using her legs, her back, her shoulders, and her arms to pull.
The sword began to slide upwards from the pedestal, little by little.
The guard swallowed with eyes wide.
Zelda folded her hands, impressed.
Aryll lifted the handle above her head. The tip of the blade only barely cleared the pedestal, due to its length. She stumbled but LJ was right there to help her keep it steady.
"Heavy, huh?"
"Gosh yes," she replied with a look of astonishment. "I expected all the weight to be in the handle, but the blade makes it difficult to hold it up the right way." She passed it to LJ.
LJ lifted it up then moved it to his left hand. "Unwieldly, yeah. But I … I kind of feel like the sword … kind of lifts itself, does that make sense? What about you, sir? I'm sure you're trained in swordplay. Does it feel like it's heavy but lifts itself for you?"
The guard reached out for it. He wrapped his fingers around the handle and the blade went straight to the floor. He ground his teeth together, taking it in two hands, but couldn't wield the sword, only drag it on the floor. "It's so heavy, I'm surprised the young lady got it out of the pedestal!"
LJ furrowed his brows in confusion. He took it from the guard and lifted it up in his left hand. "I'm a righty, and I can lift it. What on earth? I wonder if you could lift it with the Power Glove artifact?"
Link shook his head. "It's not a matter of weight. It's designed to somehow be attracted to the ground as if magnetic. But in our hands, the magnetic property is reversed."
"May I?" asked Zelda.
LJ passed her the handle.
Zelda struggled with it but was able to keep the blade aloft. "It's too heavy to use in combat. I don't know how you boys lift it single-handedly." She carefully eased it up above her head. "But I can certainly lift it to some measure."
Link eyed her for a moment then rubbed his chin. "I wonder if we're somehow related?"
The soldier cleared his throat. "She's the only person that I've ever seen who has magic. Most people scoff at the notion but … she has it."
"I found that out," LJ said with a chuckle. "Yup. Definitely found that out when she healed my shoulder."
Zelda held the blade in one hand, and the handle in her other. "I know, I know … I shouldn't touch the blade. It should remain oiled. Here." She turned to Aryll and handed to her. "Take it by the handle, young lady."
Aryll carefully took it in both hands and lifted it up. She grimaced from the weight of it but managed to wave it about more so than Zelda could. She then turned it about and handed it, handle first, to Link. "I wish I could understand how that works."
"It just … does," said Link with a soft smile. He twirled it in his hand with ease, then slid it into the sheath with a satisfying click.
Zelda tilted her head a bit, eyeing his scabbard. "Link, how did you scuff your case?"
"I used it as a practice weapon, your highness. Sans sword."
"Mercy me. I'll have someone repair that for you." She gave a tug at the hem of her business suit blouse. "Perhaps it is time to retire for the evening. I've given the order to lock down the compound, so we will not be able to leave. Is that clear to everyone?"
"Yes ma'am," LJ said.
A soldier ran in through the entrance archway at the far end of the temple. "Princess Zelda!" He came to a stop, doubled over, hands on his knees, panting. "Princess Zelda, there has been another attack."
Her eyes widened. She leaned forward, nearing the exhausted man's face. "What happened?"
"Your mother's caravan was attacked, and we believe she may have been taken prisoner, but we cannot find any trace. Eyewitnesses said the bull-dog creatures took her and the entourage away in irons."
"In irons…?"
"Yes, ma'am. Chains and large metal cuffs."
"I know the meaning of irons. I am simply shocked this enemy would place hostages in such fetters." She exhaled and closed her right hand into a fist, then, in an eerily calm voice, said, "Please continue your report."
"My apologies. Our forces tried to pursue. The enemy passed through a bridge underpass and disappeared, as though completely gone." He took a deep breath, then said, "We went to tell your father. The military base where you saw him last has been decimated. We had no idea. Everything inside the walls has been scorched to ash. We located the king almost immediately. The body is being brought back for the royal physician to confirm. I … I'm sorry, your highness. Your father … the doctor is receiving him now to confirm."
Zelda swallowed. "He was supposed to be in a simple meeting…" She looked down at her Sheikah slate and saw that her text was not delivered. It displayed a message, 'Text not delivered. Try again?'
Silence.
Zelda pursed her lips, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, held the breath, and then she exhaled slow and calm. All at once she was business. She turned to the second guard. "Stay with these three. See they are safe and well. Ensure the word is out that their every need is met." She turned to the courier and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Escort me to the medical wing of the palace immediately. I wish to see these remains for myself."
"I … yes, of course, Princess. But the doctor is performing an autopsy, now might not be the best time to see the remains of…"
"Immediately. I can handle whatever it is that I see. Have you … have you seen the body?" They began a brisk walk across the Temple of Time, their voices echoing in the large stone room.
"I was on location when he was found, your highness. The communication network is down. I was sent to personally warn your father, but it was too late. The medical examiner that received him estimates he died roughly fifteen minutes before I was dispatched to find him."
"The network is down," she said in a monotone voice. "That … makes sense," she mused. "I texted my father and received a receipt that said my text was not received."
"Yes, ma'am. When my squad reached the base, we were surprised to find it destroyed. I had my team take the body to the palace, while I hurried ahead to find you. All communicators are down. Landlines, mobile phones. We have radio and satellite phone; you have to be outside or near a window for satellite phones to work." They left the temple together.
"I am aware line of sight to the sky is necessary; with windows, one needs to be facing the equator, so the southern sky for Hyrule."
"Um … yes, ma'am."
"Forgive me. I am venting because I feel so helpless right now. It's just … I have been trying to convince my father to come out-of-pocket to construct large landmark towers to provide data coverage across Hyrule. Something with an emergency ability to teleport soldiers based on encryption data keys on their Sheikah slate, so that if they are in an emergency, they can abscond to safety."
The soldier eyed her for a moment. "That would be … genius. But … why did he not consider it?"
Zelda pursed her lips, which twitched at the corners of her mouth. Her jawline trembled briefly. "He said people would not like seeing something so tall in the skyline."
"Oh. Um. I can understand that," he replied in a soft tone, empathetic to her need to ramble for just a moment.
"Mm, unless they were beautiful and artistic, with the ability to sink into a cylindrical tube beneath the soil. Various heights for various needs and for peak data usage hours. If Hyrule is invaded, they could be submerged beneath the ground. It does not matter right now. I'm speaking aloud in frustration, because if my father had implemented my idea by now, it would have saved the caravan." Zelda's gaze dropped to the ground. Her eyes fluttered shut and she sighed, then she glanced back up, staring straight forward. "I should have been more assertive, but I always worry it will offend those above me. And now my loved ones may have paid a price for it. I should consider commissioning the Sheikah tribe to build…" She trailed off with another sigh.
Link looked to LJ and Aryll with a frown.
Aryll swallowed down a lump in her throat then brought her hands to her face and wept softly.
Link ground his teeth together. "They assassinated the King. This cannot stand."
No one else spoke.
Link balled his hands into fists. "We needs must prepare … I mean … I mean to say that we must prepare. Then, we must to find a way to traverse the gate Ganon's forces used to attack this realm. We must to go there and lay siege to it. The only foreseeable problem I can imagine, however, is that we shall require the Moon Pearl to traverse there. And there is only one known to exist. Perhaps a twin can be fashioned, but there's no way to create enough to take a military presence there. Certainly not a battalion. At best, a squad. And that's only if we could … possibly … find someone who has the knowledge to copy the technology of the Ancient Ones to create more than one Moon Pearl."
LJ balled his own hands into fists, mirroring Link without realizing it. "How did they attack an entire military base without anyone else knowing? How did they know about taking out the communications network? Ugh. Anyway, now what do we do?"
The guard who had struggled with the weight of the Master Sword said, "We should head down to the bunker. If an attack has happened on the Queen and the King, a hundred and forty miles apart, then it is obvious they were targeted. And everyone with them, it seems, was given the same consideration. All of us, her highness included, will have to be locked down."
"Your dungeon will have to be deep enough and complicated enough in layout that they will never find her," Link said. "I should check on the Princess. Can you get LJ and Miss Aryll to safety? I'll join when the Princess has had a moment to process her loss."
The guard nodded. "It's the building across from the temple."
Link eyed the guard. "The one with a red crescent moon on the front and a large drop of blood at the bottom?"
"Eh, yes. Yes, that is how I would describe the logo, yes. The bunker is the deepest place in Hyrule, and the deepest personal bunker in the world. It's over two kilometers below the surface."
"Kilometers?" Link eyed the man. "I'm not familiar with that unit of measurement."
LJ glanced at the guard. "It's okay. He's not an idiot, he's just not from around these parts." LJ gave Link's arm a firm pat. "From here to the Royal Compound gate."
Link's eyes widened "It's that deep? Impressive. Go, all of you. I'll bring the Princess."
The guard led Aryll and LJ out of the temple.
Link followed them out.
Outside, the guard pointed across an enormous courtyard. "That one, there."
Link nodded and said, "I will catch up with the rest of you. Did I say that right?"
LJ nodded.
Aryll said, "Please don't die."
Link replied with an endearing smile. "I have not been revived only to die a quick and meaningless death. Be well. Keep your brother safe."
LJ smirked.
"I will," Aryll replied. She went with LJ and the guard.
Silence.
Link hurried across the way; he headed inside through the front entrance of the royal infirmary. He silently approached a young lady at a desk, who seemed busy trying to operate a strange wall-like contraption to no avail. Link noticed there were wires jutting from a flat vertical panel, covered with labeled holes, mounted to the workstation in front of the woman, and she had a digital touch screen representation on an angled board in front of her hands.
The woman appeared to be trying to manipulate both interfaces without any success.
"Madam. I am here for the King and Princess Zelda."
She looked up with eyes wide. "Oh, my heavens. You're him. Word around the palace is that you're the Legendary Hero. Everyone is talking about it. The Savior of Hyrule! You're…" She stood up, placing her headset on the switch panel. "You're handsome. I … um, I wanted you to know that I believe you're real. I've always believed in The Hero and The Evil One."
"It is a luxury that people were able to forget. The goddesses are lucky to have believers like yourself, who did not forget history."
She afforded him with a weary smile, cleared her throat, and then she said, "You know, some people are saying this is the end of times. That attack … I saw one of those creatures. A bulldog that walks like a person. I saw one. The internet is freaking out. People are killing animals left outside in fenced-in yards because of this; pet owners are keeping their bulldogs indoors, now. It's just…" She trailed off and shook her head with a sad expression on her face.
"Such an offense breaks my heart. Animals, especially pets, should never have to pay for the crimes of people. And, while Ganon is no longer a person, per say, the fact remains that the people hurting these animals are just that … people. Normal people. The murder of someone's pet is vexing to say the least. How truly awful."
"Aw. You really are a hero, you know that? And you always show up in the world's time of need in all the legends."
Link cleared his throat. "I … the legends are based on my ancestors. Only one is attributed to me. I am here to find Zelda Daltus; I have reason to believe the crown-princess is in grave danger. And, if you would, please take me to see King Gustaf, post haste. Also, have you heard anything from other soldiers throughout the realm?"
She pointed to the switchboard. "It's dead. We can't contact anyone. The network inside and outside the palace is completely down. No internet access, no VoIP, no cellular connection, no landlines … it's all down. We can't even receive televised signal to see what's going on outside the compound. We're completely cut off."
"Please, madam, the queen was reportedly abducted, and the king was reportedly assassinated. They may be targeting the royal family members. I must find the Princess and keep her safe."
"Yes..." The woman swallowed and exhaled with a shaky breath. She tried again, taking a deep breath followed by a slow exhale. "Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I'm worried about things I can't control, and here you are, needing my help with something I can control. Follow me." She came out from behind the desk and added, "I'm Habuta. I'm not … doing very well with the idea that this might be, you know, the end of the world. But, now that you're here … there's something comforting about that, you know? Like, the goddesses are acting because they heard the prayers of the people. Um. Anyway, I'll do my best to keep it together. Follow me." She led Link down a nearby hallway.
"Thank you, Habuta. I appreciate your courage."
"That's … a real kicker, coming from the guy born with the triforce of courage attached to his spirit." She cleared her throat again, laughed nervously, and rubbed her face. "Sorry. I've never met a celebrity before. I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this. Um … so, my superior was with the Queen when their caravan was attacked. Her name is Impa."
Link followed her down the corridor. "Uncanny the similarities between my time and yours. Impa was Zelda's personal caretaker and tutor in my time. Before you ask, it was 1675 … and then it was 2050. I'm trying to, how you say, wrap my head around all of … well, this future. But, as I said, Impa was involved with the princess in my time, as well."
"It's a popular name in the Royal Family's extended circle," said Habuta. "This way. We're almost there." She took a staircase down. The hallway smelled like rubbing alcohol. She guided Link to a set of double doors. "The switchboard is useless, anyways. I'll stay out here in the hall; I can't handle the thought of seeing the King right now. Not dead – I can't … I just can't stomach that. It would break my heart. He was the most disarming and genuine man. Queen Tetra was very lucky to have him as her soulmate. It just breaks my heart that they had four miscarriages in the past twenty-two years, but Zelda? She is the most loved, the sweetest, the most adored person in Hyrule. And witty, too. And extremely bright. Whoever she marries is going to be the luckiest man alive … I'm sorry. I'm not handling the stress of my king being assassinated. And I'm sitting here trying to imagine his legacy continuing or … something. I am blabbering all over myself. You keep that girl safe, all right? Just … you'll have to go in there alone, so … sorry about that."
"Very well, and … I promise I will do everything in my power to see that Zelda survives to hold her great grandchildren, Ms. Habuta." Link turned on his heel and walked through the left side of the double swing-doors. He stepped into a sterile smelling room. He opened a door at the end, leading into some sort of morgue-like room.
He saw Zelda, trembling with emotions, opposite of the doctor performing the autopsy.
A guard moved to intercept Link.
"Leave him alone," Zelda said, her voice breaking. "I will vouch for him."
"Aye, your highness." The royal guardsman stepped back from Link.
Link came around the table, recognizing the left side of the King's face. The right side was indescribable. Link immediately looked away out of respect and gently touched Zelda's bicep. "It occurs to me that your parents were targeted. We should go underground immediately; it stands to reason beyond any doubt that you will be the next target on Ganon's list."
Zelda took a step away from the autopsy table then suddenly launched herself into Link's arms, weeping hot tears against his neck. She hid her face against his collarbone, sobbing uncontrollably, to the point of causing herself to hyperventilate.
Link sighed and rested his chin on her head. He wrapped his arms around her. He wanted nothing more than to keep her safe and ensure her survival.
A moment of silence passed. It was soon broken by the medical examiner performing his job by narrating his work into a small handheld documentation device. The man was dressed in a tweed sport jacket over a light blue shirt with a necktie, but he wore a clear plastic smock overtop of his clothing, including torso and sleeves. He wore a matching clear face shield to protect him from his … work. Even his gloves were clear.
Link reached down and placed his left hand beneath Zelda's legs. He lifted her up in silence.
She kept her face in his neck.
Link carried her out of the morgue. "Sir," he said to the nearby guard, "Stay here and protect the King's body. Where is the next posted guard? I'll need them to escort us to the…"
"Sir, I am assigned to the Princess. The guard for the King's body is through those doors," said the man, pointing at a door on the far wall. "I'll take you both to the bunker. We need to consider the fact we're at war. I've been trying to get the Princess underground. I have another man in the hallway."
Link followed the guard out into the hall and saw the soldier from the Temple of Time, ten minutes ago. They nodded to one another. He fell into step with Link, Zelda, and the guard from the morgue. The coterie headed back out of the royal infirmary, at the heart of the royal compound with the switchboard operator, Habuta, in tow.
The group of five crossed the courtyard. The ground trembled beneath them. Link glanced over at an impressive fountain, currently deactivated, but filled with water. Ripples in the water caused Link to narrow his gaze. "That's no quake. Look at the fountain," he said as the group passed it. "Those rings in the water are from footsteps."
"Footsteps?!" said one of the guards. "That's absurd."
"They are, yes. Listen. The rhythm of each new ring matches the cadence of a person's stride."
"Again, that's absurd. It could just as easily be from…"
No sooner had they spoken of it, an enormous creature kicked in one of the Royal Compound walls, sending reinforced concrete blasting in all directions. It trudged through the rebar mesh and stomped into the courtyard.
Link cut his eyes back at the guard who had been interrupted. "Footsteps," he said with a firm nod.
The enormous monster seemed to be made of stone or a similar material. It grasped a jutting piece of rebar, pulled, and dislodged a part of the wall that had plumbing pipes, which caused water to spray out from the remaining wall. The creature continued holding onto the rebar and swung the wall like a bat.
Link dropped to a crouch, with his head tucked low to protect Zelda. His green hat was knocked from his hair; it landed on Zelda's shoulder.
She reached up and snatched the hat, holding it tightly in her grasp.
"Have mercy!" exclaimed the royal guard, adding, "It's some sort of frickin' golem!"
The creature swung the section of rebar-infused wall again. It made purchase on two rapidly approaching royal guardsmen, killing both instantly.
Habuta dove away and remained flat on the ground.
The creature reached toward Link and Zelda.
Habuta leapt to her feet and made a beeline for the guardhouse at the far corner of the compound, shouting for all hands to help.
Link dashed in the opposite direction to keep the princess safe. "How tall would you wager that creature stands, princess?"
Zelda looked over his shoulder at it. "About the length of a conventional school bus."
"Standard Imperial Feet, please, princess," Link said between breaths.
"About forty," she said, followed by a deep breath to keep her heart from pounding its way up her throat. "It's roughly three stories tall."
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2013 A/N: Oh noes! Zelda lost her family, the guards are overwhelmed and ill prepared, and now a giant monster is attacking!
It's time for a BOSS BATTLE! Time to write a larger-than-arena scene. Let's tear up the whole Royal Compound in chapter 6, shall we? I'm so bad, lol.
It's already finished. I just gotta re-read it and post it. So! We finally get to see what propels the plot forward…the death of the King, and Ganon's second preemptive attack. Oh, yes, I know, the chapter title was 'so' clever. Heh. Anyways.
How do you like the story so far? Have any thoughts? Anything you wanna see?
Someone suggested that I add a "Steampunk version of Link" from one of the "forgotten times of Hyrule History."
…If enough people like the idea, I think I might add'em. I'm also getting DMs asking for a female version of Link. Thoughts?