The Pirate Prince

Chapter 13: The Calling

Link stared at the wooden floor of the house, unable to look up at the crowd. Link barely acknowledged the foot steps coming towards him, until he felt them pull him into an embrace. Link automatically knew who it was, as he had done the same thing when Link was younger.

Ganondorf said nothing as he held his son, Impa was informing the group of the events that had passed, how She, the Princess and Aryll had escaped, how they had been found by Link and how Aryll had died. Bunoora had clung to her mother when Aryll's death had been mentioned, Ganondorf quietly noted that Link had stiffened when Aryll's name was spoken.

"On the brighter side of things," Said Impa, leaning back, "This Dotour had a master, whom, we believe, is responsible for the corruption of the Colossi."

"Makes sense," Said Nabooru, "Such peaceful beings, like Skyloft and Tempus, wouldn't attack anyone on a mere whim."

Ganondorf slowly let go of Link, noting that the boy had a grim frown on his face.

"Whoever it was," Said Link, making everyone look at him, "Sent a Ghoma into a cave near the Cove, the town that was built a few months back, but it had a bone-like armour to it."

"Like one of those Stal monsters." Said Impaya, her tone making it clear that she was making a statement of fact.

"Yeah." Said Link, before his shirt started smoking, "Oh, for the love of Nayru!" Link pulled his shirt off and shook it a couple of times, before a small dragon fell out. Link quickly pulled his shirt on and grabbed the dragon, "Volga, what have I said about sleeping in my shirt."

The dragon hung his head, before Link sighed and placed him on his shoulder, he then reached into his pocket and pulled out a green gem.

"I was given this by a goddess statue after I beat the Gohma," Said Link holding out, "Zelda, told me that it is one of three keys that can be used to access the Temple of Heroes."

Ganondorf fold his arms across his chest and frowned, "Link, can I have a word outside, privately?" Ganondorf's tone left no room for argument. Link huffed and threw Volga and the pearl to Impa, who raised her eyebrow at the sight of the dragon.

Ganondorf led Link up to the shrine that acted as a halfway point between A great fairy fountain and Kakariko.

"Please tell me that you don't intend on finding all of those pearls." Said Ganondorf, as soon as he stopped.

"Those pearls can give us access to a weapon that can help us kill the thing that killed Aryll." Said Link, his arms folding against his chest.

"Aryll was killed in the aftermath of an explosion, the same explosion that killed its own source." Retorted Ganondorf, turning to face Link, "even if you do find all of those pearls, the blade that is kept within the confines of that Temple is not something to take lightly."

"The Master Sword, despite its 'lore', is still a weapon," Protested Link, throwing his arms out, "it can be conquered, like anything else."

"Okay, fine, let's say that you are able to 'conquer' the blade," Said Ganondorf, his hands resting on his hips, "what do you then intend to do with it?"

"Kill the thing that Dutour was serving." Said Link, without any hesitation.

"So, revenge," Said Ganondorf, "tell me, what would stop you from carrying out side revenge?"

"Nothing," Said Link, narrowing his eyes, "I would rather kill anyone or thing in my way before stopping."

Ganondorf was unnerved at how quickly Link had responded, "Then what would stop you from being any different than that thing?"

Link blanched, "I would be killing a monster."

"Only to become one yourself." Said Ganondorf, glaring at the boy, "You may kill this monster, but the people will fear you as they fear it and then, someone will turn up to kill you as you would that thing."

Link's expression faltered, before he looked to the ground, "I-I only want to-to-" Link's voice broke and Ganondorf closed the distance between them and held his son.

"I know what you want to do and why you think it is right," Said Ganondorf, as Link dissolved into tears, "but if you kill anyone who stands in your way, it will consume you and warp your mind. If you want to kill this monster, you'll have to prove to the people that you can be trusted and your fighting for them as well as yourself."

Link quietly sniffled, before Ganondorf sighed, "I have already lost one child, I don't wish to lose another."

Link rubbed his eyes, "I need to go back to Termina, I need to find Epona."

Ganondorf laughed, "I had been sending scouts out to look for you, one of them came back with Epona."

Link couldn't stop the laugh that came from his mouth.

TPP

Zelda quietly excused herself after Ganondorf and Link left. Zelda intended on visiting the grave stone dedicated to the Princess that held back the Calamity and the Hero of the Wild. After the Hero had defeated the Dark Beast, he called in all of his favours from the different species and settlements around Hyrule, in an effort to rebuild everything that had been lost. The response had been astounding, as everyone flooded to answer his request and, after twenty years' worth of nonstop constant labour and hard word on the surrounding villages, Castle Town and Hyrule Castle. The surprising part was that other Countries, like Holodrum, Labrynna, Calatia and Termina, had sent as many people as they could, with Calatia being absorbed into Hyrule. The following decades only strengthened the bonds between Hyrule and its neighbours.

Until the Colossi rose from the earth. When they were first spotted, Hyrule responded by reactivating the Divine Beasts. Then started a game of cucco, as to who would fold first, Hyrule or the Colossi. The game went on for a decade, with Hyrule being silent to all of its allies, before Holodrum sent a small band of soldiers, believing there had been an uprising. Needless to say, that they received quite the shock when Spiritum deposited them in the middle of Castle Towns central square.

After that incident, it had been agreed that a summit would be held every year at Hyrule Castle, with many researchers looking to examine the Colossi. They found that the Colossi spoke in an ancient language, with a few able to understand them.

That was how they learnt their names and why they were here. These beautiful, ancient creatures had been woken by a terrible creature that would ruin Hyrule in an instant. They made only one request. That a Temple be built around the Great Hyrule Forest and the Lost Woods, in order to protect the Master Sword so that the next hero could claim it when needed.

After the Temple had been built, each Colossi went off to their own place in Hyrule, Ventus to the shores and Skyloft to the Tabantha region. Other Colossi would appear from time to time, each going back to sleep, while the great Colossi guarding the Temple of Heroes, with Tempus and Crespeculum guarding the gates.

Zelda was broken from her musings when she walked into the tree that stood in front of the grave marker. Zelda quietly grumbled, rubbing her nose, which had taken the brunt of the impact. Zelda looked at the grave, before frowning.

Zelda had been up here multiple times during her childhood, which was why she was confused as to why the Tri Force etching on the grave was glowing. Quickly steeling herself, Zelda walked up to the grave and pressed her hand against the Tri Force.

Nothing happened. Zelda's heart was hammering.

One beat.

Two beats.

Three beats.

Then the ground opened up beneath her and Zelda fell down a hole.

A/N: Another chapter done and on the second anniversary of Breath of the Wild. Next chapter will be Zelda in her own dungeon, the Royal Tomb. Oracle of Hylia, the one they weren't expecting to see for a long time was Link.