COUNTING STARS

Chapter 33: Brother

Saturday, December 29th

With the thunderous boom of dynamite, the barricades fall to the ground, sending wood splinters and planks in every direction. Slowly, people begin to creep out from the safety of their dwellings, checking if the rumors are true, if the coast really is clear. While plows clear out the debris that clutters the streets, onlookers cheer as the city is opened back up for the first time in fifteen days.

I stand back from the action, watching the volunteers and city workers cleaning up the rubble in East Castle Town. Across the street, police cars are parked outside of the warehouse where the city's ultimate liberation had taken place some few hours ago. CTPD is back in business, it appears. Immediately after the great finale, I had called Shad and told him that we had won; to send a unit to the warehouse. He listened. The officers must have entered the lair hours ago—and it must be taking them forever to navigate that massive labyrinth, looking for any straggling gangsters. As I look on, I pull my winter coat tighter and stuff my hands into my jeans pockets, my breath visible in the brisk morning air.

It's only been five hours since we left the warehouse and walked home, unsure how to feel. We should have been happy, considering we freed the city from isolation and saved the world from its impending domination. But after everything that happened, witnessing that much destruction, violence, death… It had rendered us all numb. So we all walked back in solemn silence, and returned home to the academy late in the night.

Exhausted, everyone had gone to their rooms and collapsed. I walked Zelda to her dorm and lay beside her until she fell asleep, but could find no rest myself. So, I came here—to watch the sun rise on the new day. A day where there would be no danger in Castle Town.

Soon, a unit of policemen file out of the warehouse, some guiding forward a group of four handcuffed individuals. Following behind a cloaked male figure, I spot Wizzro, Volga, and Cia, the latter of them all catching my eye with the purest look of defeat on her face. I wave at her, smugly, noting the wound on her shoulder, before they're each led to different cars and are roughly shoved into the backseat.

The policemen load up and drive off, turning at an intersection and disappearing behind a collection of buildings.

Taking one last look at the warehouse, I breathe in deeply. After last night, our lives will never be the same. And, naturally, my mind returns to Dark.

I'll be fine, he had said.

I wonder what he meant by that, considering he had just been fatally stabbed. Maybe he just couldn't fathom dying. Or he was already drifting off into the afterlife, speaking to us from paradise.

My vision starts to blur again, so I blink and lower my head, then begin to make my way back home. It shouldn't take longer than thirty or forty minutes, so I should be back before Zelda wakes.

Sunday, December 30th

"I just want you to know that I am so very sorry." The brunette runs a hand through his hair as the girl sitting across from him listens patiently. "I didn't think it would happen. It came out of nowhere. But you see, I… I had to choose her. I believe she and I are soulmates—and we only needed time apart to grow separately."

Orielle breaks eye contact, nodding slowly, and Pipit looks genuinely heartbroken for her. He grabs her hand, causing her to look back up at him.

"Hey," he says. "I still care about you. I still love you. But I've loved Karane for many years, and I—I just had to—"

He stops when Orielle sighs. "Pipit, it's okay," she says, smiling sadly. "Thank you for telling me. And thank you for the apology. And, of course, thank you for such a fun relationship." She encloses their connected hands with her other one. "I understand completely. I still love you too, so I want you to be happy."

Pipit lowers his head and smiles. "Thank you... for everything. For making me a better person."

Orielle smiles again. "Well then… goodbye. I guess I'll see you around."

She moves to get up, but Pipit stops her.

"Wait, wait," he says; she raises an eyebrow. "That was the best breakup I've ever had. And the best relationship I've ever had. So I'm gonna set you up with one of my friends."

She lifts both eyebrows to that. "That's some strange logic, but I'm listening."

Pipit pulls out his phone and starts tapping away at the screen, then looks up. "Alright, I just sent you his number."

"Who is it?"

"Fledge."

"Fledge," she repeats. Orielle ponders for a second, then nods slowly. "I'll consider it."

Pipit grins. "Awesome."

After one last hug, they part ways.

Having eavesdropped on the whole thing, I sigh, smiling to myself, and remove my hood when Pipit leaves. I sit at the non-alcoholic bar of the Lumpy Pumpkin, sipping idly at my glass of water. Sidon, the bartender and acquaintance of mine, makes his way over to me and points over his shoulder.

"I've witnessed Pipit break up with a lot of girls at this place," he says, "but none of those breakups were as sincere and respectful as that one."

I nod, open to talk for a bit. "Well, she changed him. He really loved her."

"He was quite the player in his prime," Sidon adds, grinning. "But man, Pipit was nowhere near the skill of this other guy I met. He'd come in once, maybe twice a week, and always leave with the first person he approached."

"Hundred percent success rate?" I ask in surprise, raising my eyebrows. "Who was it?"

"Well, his name was—" Sidon pauses, squinting at me. "Say… now that I think about it, you look exactly like him! Is Dark your brother?"

I laugh quietly. I should've known. "You could say that."

"I can't believe I never noticed it when we—" He shakes his head. "Never mind. But man, your bro's tactics are legit. I've never seen anything like it!"

Curiosity overtakes me, so I have to ask. "What kind of tactics?"

"Pure honesty," Sidon says. "That's all. But it just worked for him. Every time!"

"I feel like that doesn't always work. Honesty can come off as creepy sometimes."

"It worked on me."

"Wait, what?"

Sidon shrugs, then looks around to make sure no one's listening. "Alright, keep this between you and me. Now, I'm not gay, but when Dark came up to me and started talking, somehow he got me curious, and we—well, you get it. I never thought it was possible. But that guy is a wizard."

I snort. Who would've thought.

"I haven't seen him around in awhile, now that I think about it," he comments, rubbing his chin. "Where's he been?"

His question brings a pang to my chest. I don't want to tell him the truth.

"Not like I'm trying to… you know, link up with him again," he adds quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Er, I think."

"Dark… kinda just… disappeared," I answer quietly, looking away. "And, well, I don't know. Something tells me he's not coming back."

Monday, December 31st

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

"Link, I really hate being blindfolded."

I squeeze her hand, smirking. "So when we get there, taking it off will make the surprise extra special."

Zelda sighs. "We're in public, aren't we? People are gonna think you're kidnapping me."

"You'd have to be struggling or screaming for them to think that, wouldn't you?"

"That can be arranged."

Grinning, I continue leading her forward, weaving between the crowds of people until our feet reach the cobblestone square. We stop, and I turn to face Zelda. "Here we are," I say, reaching up to remove the blindfold from her face. When I lower my arms, her eyes shift past me, widening; her mouth falls open.

We stand in the central square of the Tri-District. Ahead, a tall flagpole stands prominently in the center of the square; at the very top is a triangular light box, glowing bright yellow against a starry black sky. Colorful lights are strung from building to building, illuminating the square in their mirthful warmth. A few hundred people crowd around the roped-off flagpole, gathered closely with their loved ones, dressed warmly, with hope and relief gleaming in their eyes. The JumboTrons on two of the square's buildings display a digital timer, counting down until midnight—when Hyrule enters the new year.

Zelda turns back around, mouth agape, eyes shimmering. "Oh my gods," she breathes, lips turning up in a smile. "Link, this is amazing!"

I just smile, finding her hands in mine.

She continues to look around in wonder. "I didn't even hear about this—have we ever had a New Year's celebration in the city?"

I shrug. "No idea. I never celebrated it in Ordonia. I could never stay awake."

Zelda giggles.

"But," I add, piquing her interest, "I seem to recall our conversation in Eldinburg, where I promised you I'd take you on the best date of your life when everything's over. And considering everyone's in good spirits now that the kingdom is back up and running, I was able to pull a few strings and get this little event set up."

Eyes widening, Zelda takes a step back in shock. "Are you serious?!"

"Nah. This was actually the king's doing, I just heard about it from Fledge." I grin. "But wouldn't that get me a ton of boyfriend points?"

With a simper, Zelda rolls her eyes, hitting me in the chest. "You suck."

"I know. But hey—" I raise my eyebrows at her, rubbing my thumbs against her hands, warming them. "I'm still considering this our first date."

Her lips break out into a grin. "Me too," says Zelda. "It sure beats a sewer. And a haunted fortress. And prison." She leans forward and kisses me, smiling against my lips.

We break away when an eight-note jingle chimes from a set of distant speakers, signifying an announcement. Turning toward one of the JumboTrons, we watch the countdown hit the twenty-minute mark, then the screen fades.

Seconds later, the enormous digital face of the most important man in Hyrule appears, a graphic of the royal insignia displayed in the corner. King Gustaf stares forward, wrinkles creasing the weathered skin of his face, looking worn and tired. Still, he plasters a smile on his face, clears his throat, and speaks.

"Good evening, citizens of Castle Town, citizens of Hyrule. Hopefully, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that our great capital is safe once again—it is important, however, that we remember those who gave their lives during those grueling weeks. Your sacrifice will not go forgotten."

The king closes his eyes and dips his head; most of the crowds in the plaza do the same.

"As we celebrate the new year, do not forget the brave heroes that are responsible for the liberation of our capital. These people risked everything to protect their home. Everyone, be sure to honor our heroes: the courageous souls of CTPD. To all the brave officers out there, your kingdom thanks you."

I blink back surprise, and Zelda's jaw drops. "What?" she gasps.

"Fret not," continues King Gustaf, "reconstruction has already commenced, and it will be completed in the coming weeks. To those who have successfully fled the city, we welcome you back with open arms. The barricades have fallen; the roads are being repaired. Castle Town is alive and well." His lips stretch into another smile. "Happy new year, Hylians. May the goddesses watch over you."

With an audible blip, the king of Hyrule vanishes from the screen, and the countdown timer returns. Ten minutes until midnight.

As the dull hum of chatter returns to the plaza, Zelda turns to face me, visibly upset.

"Can you believe that? They took credit from us! CTPD was hiding out in the castle the whole time—they did nothing!"

I only shrug. "I guess it makes sense they'd do this. CTPD doesn't want word getting out that they were wrong about Hero."

"You're not upset?"

"Not really. But only because I wasn't expecting to get credit in the first place." I smile. "But I don't need the recognition. I never cared about that stuff—I did it all for you."

The corners of her lips slowly perk up into a smile. "You're good."

"I know. But at what exactly?"

Zelda shrugs, looking up at me through long lashes. "Cheering me up."

"That's what I was put on this earth for. That and murdering demons."

"Poetic."

She turns and settles herself under my arm, wrapping one of hers around my waist as we peacefully watch the countdown. Apparently when the clock strikes midnight, you're urged to kiss your significant other, or at least in Hylian culture. I've never had a girlfriend, and never even celebrated New Year's for that matter, so this will be a first for me. And unless she's kissed some other dude before, then this will be a first for Zelda too. Hopefully she'll find it special.

A stumbling figure to our right catches our attention, his red eyes set on me from underneath the blanketing bangs of his lavender hair. "Link! Hot girl!" calls Vaati, hiccupping, carrying a brown paper bag wrapped around a bottle.

When he finally stumbles up to us, I offer a smile. "You made it out."

"Uh-huh. And you helped me. Man, you two wouldn't believe how terrible it was bein' stuck in there." A hiccup. "One of those portals randomly 'sploded one day, an' it really damaged my hearin'." He taps at a device in his ear. "But this new hearin' aid I got is sure amazin'. It was the most expensive one."

"What kind is it?"

"Huh? Almost midnight."

At that, I meet Zelda's eyes, both of us holding back laughter.

"Y'know, I love bein' free. But it's been rough these past few days," Vaati continues, running a hand through his long locks. "I'm still wanted, so I gotta disappear pretty soon. But—" He pauses, swallowing hard, then raises his bagged bottle. "—not before I can make the big party!"

I smile, failing to hide my concern. "Just… don't make any stupid decisions, Vaati."

He nods, already backing away, nearly tripping over himself in his drunkenness. "Uh-huh," he says through a hiccup. "Don't worry. It's like what Gandhi said. Don't drink and drive, or you might spill your drink."

I frown. "That's not at all what—"

But he's already gone, having disappeared into the crowds.

Zelda and I share a strange look, then laugh.

"Now that's something I can't say I expected," she says.

"I'm just glad he's free," I respond, looking back out to where he had disappeared. "He's actually a good guy at heart."

She hums and rests her head on my shoulder, and we return our gazes to the JumboTrons. As soon as the countdown hits a single minute, the yellow triangle slowly begins to sink lower and lower on the flagpole. The crowds of onlookers erupt into cheers of anticipation; I grab Zelda's hand and send her a smile. She returns it, sweetly, and I let out a peaceful sigh.

For the first time in a long time, I feel perfectly content. I've got the love of my life in my arms—in a city that's finally free from the torments of gang violence. The night itself feels symbolic; even though it's only the passing of another day, the public needs this change, to put the city's wretched past behind them. I need this change, despite how insignificant it is at its surface.

When the triangle nears the bottom, the countdown reaching its final ten seconds, a smile spreads across our faces. We wait, listening to the crowd chant the descending numbers.

…Four, three, two, one—

"Happy new year!" everyone shouts.

With that, I meet Zelda's eyes, spinning her to face me, and dip her down low. She yelps, staring up at me with those shimmering green eyes, caught a little bit off guard. I hesitate, holding her gaze.

"…Well are you gonna do it?" she giggles.

I grin, then bend down to capture her in a swooping kiss. She closes her eyes and smiles against my lips, returning it, and wraps her arms around my neck. I pour all my relief and love into this kiss, celebrating our survival, our accomplishments, our happiness. Zelda matches my passion, pulling me closer and deepening it. And even though she's never told me the words, I feel the love. I feel it in her lips, in her touch, in her soul.

It feels like we're the only two people in the world.

When our lips part, the world falls back into place. All around us, tipsy partyers cheer and sing and dance. I lift Zelda back upright and look into her eyes, my arms falling to her waist. "I love you, Zelda," I tell her earnestly. "And I'm not pressuring you into saying it back. But after everything you and I've been through, I just—" I sigh. "I'm just so glad we were able to make it out. After failing you so many times I'm just glad I was able to keep you safe. And you know how much that… that goal of mine meant to me—and you helped me. You helped me get what I wanted for so long, so I can finally sleep at night. And I appreciate you so much; I really do."

Visibly touched, a sad-looking smile surfaces on Zelda's face. She blinks back tears. I know I told her I'm not trying to pressure her into telling me anything she's not ready to tell me, but I swear those three little words are on the tip of her tongue when she opens her mouth to reply.

Instead, though, a voice behind me pipes up.

"Gods above, did you get your lines from the Hallmark channel?"

I frown, then turn.

"Yeah, you," says Dark. "Seriously, you could feed a town with all that corn."

My jaw drops. I blink and shake my head to make sure I'm not hallucinating. Then, still in disbelief, I tackle him to the ground.

"What the—How did you even—" I meet his eyes, grab his face, and stare at him in utter shock. "You're alive?!"

Dark gasps for breath, pushing me off of him. "Yeah. Sorry."

I slap him, then help pick him back up. "You made me think you were dead!"

Dark only shrugs, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Yeah, uh, about that. Remember the time we went to that bar, when I told you I'm way older than you guys? Yeah, well… shadows don't really… er, die. We're practically immortal for a set amount of time and only perish when that time runs out. If we get ourselves 'killed' here, we're just sent back to the dark world."

I blink. "And you never felt the need to mention that?!"

"Not really. I thought it would be a little too complicated to comprehend. But hey, what a convenient time in the story to introduce that specific fact about my race, am I right? Not like I was brought back to life 'cause I'm a fan favorite, or anything." He angles his head to look behind me, his eyes connecting with Zelda's. "Hey gorgeous."

Zelda waves. "Hey Dark."

I raise an eyebrow at my doppelganger. "Are you really hitting on my girlfriend?"

He lifts his hands. "Easy, partner. First of all I had no clue you two were even dating before literally right now. Congrats, by the way. And second of all I've already got a girl of my own lined up."

"Oh?"

"Mhm. The first place I went to after coming back to the light world was the dorms, to look for you. I ran into this girl there, and well, I got… distracted. Then I found Sheik and he said I could find you here."

After nodding once, I glance behind me to fix Zelda with a puzzled look. "So, when I had my back turned… you didn't see him behind me at all?"

Zelda shrugs, shaking her head. "I literally thought he was your shadow!"

Dark shrugs. "I mean, you weren't wrong."

"Well," Zelda huffs, traces of disbelief still prevalent in her expression, "it's really great to see you again, Dark." She smiles at him.

"Oh, no need to exaggerate, sister. I'm going to be stealing your man candy here on multiple occasions, you see. We have a lot of catching up to do!"

When I look back at him, I notice something odd. "Dark," I say, squinting suspiciously, "you're shorter than me."

"Hm?" Dark frowns, squaring his shoulders to mine, and sure enough, he's looking up a tiny bit. "Oh, right. I can explain. When shadows are 'killed,' we lose our host's form and sink back into the dark world, as you can assume. Regeneration into a healthy body requires that we sacrifice matter from our true forms. Healing the stab must've taken a little bit from my height." Dark nods, even though most of that information flew right over our heads. "But don't worry. It didn't take anything from where it matters." He wiggles his eyebrows.

Beside me, Zelda scoffs.

I turn to send her a smirk. "He's talking about his heart."

"Clearly."

"You know," Dark adds, rubbing his chin, "I also feel much skinnier. I think I've lost like ten pounds."

"Probably because jolly ranchers aren't food."

"And that's just unfair."

I grin.

"But hey," he says with an accepting smile, eyes shifting between the two of us, "I'll leave you alone now. I don't mean to spoil date night. You two lovebirds have fun."

He starts to turn away. "Dark," I call. He meets my eyes, a brow raised.

I envelop him in a bro hug. Taken aback, he hesitates before returning it quite enthusiastically.

"I'm really glad you're alive. You know that?"

"Eh, you took a little while to communicate that, but I'm feeling the love now."

"You're not allowed to complain after knowingly fooling us into thinking you were dead."

Dark pulls away and looks me square in the eye, befuddled. "I didn't know that we shadows regenerate at all, actually. It was news to me as much as it was to you." He smirks. "So a lucky break, I guess."

I blink. Typical Dark.

He shoulders past me and extends a hand toward Zelda in a formal gesture of farewell. Instead, Zelda pulls him in for a hug. Dark returns it, spinning her in a half circle so that I'm able to see his face. He inhales deeply through his nostrils, looking at me with wide eyes and mouthing, Oh my gods…

"Alright, that's enough," I grunt protectively, despite knowing it was only an act to spite me.

Dark grins and lets go of Zelda, then giddily scampers off to join the rest of the party.

Kissing a girl while carrying her bridal-style up through the narrow stairwell of the dorm building is no easy feat, especially if you're trying to make the kiss good. My heart pounds against my chest as Zelda's fingers lace around my neck, her tongue exploring my mouth. I was a bit surprised at the fervor she'd begun to display towards the end of our date. Not that I'm complaining.

We reach the third floor and then my dorm room. I break away to set Zelda on her feet, then hold her alluring gaze for a few moments before diving in hungrily to capture her lips once more. She presses her body into mine as I pin her against the door, deepening the kiss—until I hear the voices from inside.

Confused, I break away, and Zelda hears them too. That's when we see the fuzzy pink sock on the doorknob—the international request that all other inhabitants find someplace else to sleep for the night, because it's being… well, occupied.

"Well that's quite the buzzkill," I exhale.

Zelda sighs and nods. "Must be Sheik and Malon."

A silence settles between us for a quick moment. Then, seemingly thinking the same thing, we lock eyes, then move to slowly open the door. Peeking inside, I push it open wider and wider until I can see the two pale moving figures on the couch. But it's not Sheik and Malon.

It's Dark and Midna.

I slowly close the door, then turn my back to it and clear my throat. "Well… I think it's safe to say Midna's gotten over Sheik."

Zelda nods, her eyebrows raised. "So that's what you look like naked."

"Considering I'm still fully clothed, I never thought you'd find out this way, I can tell you that."

She giggles.

Similar noises spring up from right across the hall, in Pipit's room. Zelda and I share a look, and the excitement has returned to her eyes.

"Karane's in there," she says with a growing smile. "That means my room is empty."

My eyes widen. "Say no more." I sweep her back up into my arms, hurrying back to the stairwell.

Tuesday, January 1st

"Since when do you cook?" Zelda asks me through a yawn, sitting primly at the counter in her white nightgown, her knee drawn up to her torso.

I toss a glance her way and smile. "Since always," I reply, flipping the omelet over inside the pan. "There aren't any restaurants within a half hour of Ordonia, and my uncle was gone for most of the day. So if I wanted to eat, I had to learn."

Zelda hums, watching me idly. I finish up the omelet and slap it onto a plate with a fork, then walk over and set the dish down in front of her. She smiles warmly at me, her eyes lingering on my bare chest, a subtle blush dancing across her cheeks. "Thank you, Link."

I nod, taking a seat across from her.

Zelda digs into the steaming entree, lifting it up to her mouth before pausing and raising a brow at me. "You're not gonna eat?" she asks.

"Not hungry," I answer with a shrug. "Go on, dig in."

Skeptical, Zelda frowns, but doesn't press the matter. She takes her first bite, chews, then swallows. "…This is amazing," she says.

"Thanks," I tell her with a smile. "I'm glad you like it."

"I just wish you had one too so you don't have to watch me eat so awkwardly."

I laugh. "No pressure, Zel."

"Are you sure you don't want to split it?"

"No thanks. Why, do you not like it?"

"No, I do!" As if to prove it, Zelda stuffs her face with a couple of way-too-big bites. "I just feel bad," she adds with a full mouth.

We both laugh. "It's fine, seriously," I tell her, grabbing onto her free hand. "I've just… lost my appetite recently, is all."

Zelda swallows. "Really? Why?"

"I dunno, I…" Sighing, my eyes drop. "It's hard to explain. I just can't stop… thinking."

"About?" she prompts gently.

"Well, that night. I know it's all over. And I honestly feel safe. But that night replays over and over in my mind. It just doesn't feel truly over."

Zelda frowns, setting her fork down to grab my hand, looking into my eyes. "I mean, I don't know what to tell you other than what you already know," she says bluntly, putting it as lightly as she can. "It's over. Like seriously. Yuga's dead. Sheik shot him with his gun, I shot him with a magic arrow, you stabbed him with a magic sword. Now I'm no doctor, but in my experience, chances of surviving that are very low."

I smirk. "I know, Zel. And don't worry. I'm happy with how everything turned out, especially now that we know Dark's alive. I'm just finding it hard to believe, is all."

Zelda offers me a reassuring smile, continuing to eat as I sit quietly across from her. Then, from behind me, I hear the sound of a key turning the lock, and seconds later, Karane barges in.

"Zellie! You'll never believe what I—" She stops, her eyes meeting mine. "Oh, Link's here."

Her eyes flick between the two of us, raising a brow suspiciously as she takes note of our unkempt appearances: Zelda's unbrushed locks and rather skimpy nightgown, as well as my shirtless torso and wild hair.

"Karane," says Zelda, swallowing. "What're you doing here?"

"Good morning to you too, babe. And this is my dorm as well. What's Link doing here, hm?" Karane folds her arms, her eyes shifting between Zelda's and mine. "Did you two do the dirty deed in here last night?"

Zelda's eyes widen. "No! We just—you know—made out!"

"What? That's even worse!" Karane cries, storming inside.

I frown, blinking. "How is that possibly wor—"

"By the way, did you two see the king's announcement last night?" she cuts me off with enthusiasm, her hands on her hips. "They gave all the credit for saving the world to the police!"

"Yeah," says Zelda with a nod, eyeing me, "we saw."

"I was heated. But that's not what I had to tell you, Zellie. It's, well…" Karane's eyes flick my way. "…girl talk."

I raise my eyebrows. "Are you kicking me out?"

"Karane," Zelda begins carefully, "before you came in, Link and I were still kinda… on our date."

The redhead blinks, then scoffs and turns away, raising her nose. "Oh, okay, don't worry. It's not like it was important or anything."

Zelda sighs. "Karane—"

"No, no, it's fine. I guess I'll just go…" Karane hangs her head, taking excruciatingly slow steps toward the door, clearly waiting for someone to stop her.

Unimpressed, I look to Zelda. She smiles a sad smile, a pleading look in her eyes, silently asking me the question, Could you let us be alone, to make her happy?

I silently groan, but I can't be mad. Zelda just wants to make everybody happy, and she knows I'll end up forgiving her anyway. So, I exhale, then give my answer as a simple nod.

Zelda's smile widens, though still a bit guilty. Thank you, she mouths.

I slide my seat back and stand up. "Alright, Karane, you win."

Karane spins around, hands clasped before her. "Do I?"

"Sure."

Karane almost looks guilty now, as if she hadn't expected me to agree. Mission accomplished, then, I suppose.

Maneuvering around the counter, I bend down to meet Zelda's lips, then pull away.

"We'll meet up later today, 'kay?" she assures me.

I nod, smiling ruefully. "Alright. I've got a couple things to do today anyway."

Infiltrating Yuga's lair was a daunting feat in its own right, yet I remained calm and composed for the most part, if a little vengeful. But now, walking alone into the CTPD station is enough to make my heartrate skyrocket, even with no present danger. Some officers peek up at me from their work, an eyebrow raised, while others who know me through Shad give curt nods. And while it's unlikely this late in the game, I can't help feeling paranoid about them somehow discovering that I'm the vigilante who's eluded their forces for all this time. The same vigilante they took credit from for saving the city. Funny how that works.

The wooden box in my arms doesn't necessarily help me keep a low profile. Suspicious eyes keep flicking my way, although I can't exactly blame them for being antsy after all they've been through.

I pass the front desk, approaching the office halls when Chief Auru struts out of one of the rooms, his eyes glued to the whole stack of papers in his arms.

"Hey, Chief," I call out, not really knowing why.

Chief Auru stops and looks up, frowning. "Oh. Gaiden." He pauses. "What brings you here? Your case is closed."

"I know. I'm just here to talk to Shad."

"Hm." He nods, then starts to walk past me.

Before he's able, I find that I simply can't hold back.

Keeping my face completely straight, I ask him abruptly, "How was your stay at the castle?"

Chief Auru freezes. He fixes me with a knowing look—that information clearly wasn't meant to reach the public. "What stay at the castle?" he asks gruffly.

I only shrug. "Oh, never mind. Congrats on saving the city, by the way. I saw the king's announcement. How did you end up killing Yuga, anyway? I mean, he was a god, and all."

Chief Auru holds my gaze, the gears turning in his head. It's like he knows I'm onto him, but he doesn't know what for. And he surely isn't going to outright confirm it—to me or to anyone.

"It's confidential."

With that, he marches past me.

Satisfied, I continue on my way until I reach Shad's office. I knock twice.

"Come in," he calls.

I enter; he meets my eyes.

"Link!" Shad exclaims, leaping to his feet. "It's been a while!"

Grinning, I nod at him, extending a hand. He takes it, shakes it. "It sure has," I agree. "The last time I saw you was at the castle."

His smile falters a bit. "When I was so drunk that I humiliated myself by streaking through the dining hall? Yes, those were some dark times."

I squint. "I'm pretty certain I wasn't there for that."

Shad blinks, mortified. He clears his throat. "Um. Well then. There for what?"

Amused, I shake it off and hand him the wooden box in my arms.

"What's this?"

"A gift."

He takes the box and looks at me. "What for?"

"Being my detective. Always having my back. Breaking the law for me, multiple times." I pause, then add, "And being a friend."

Shad pushes his spectacles further up his nose and fixes me with a genuine smile. Then, he opens it, looking inside.

"It's… bottles of wine?" He pulls one of them out, inspecting it.

"You seemed like a fan of drink." I smile.

He squints his eyes. "You brought alcohol to my work?"

"Uh… I guess I didn't think that far ahead. But you won't get caught."

"We're in a police station."

"You might get caught."

Shad rolls his eyes and smirks. "Well I appreciate it, truly. Thank you." He takes out the other bottle, now, observing its label and the sloshing liquid within. "How'd you even buy alcohol? You're seventeen."

"Oh, I didn't buy it. Dark broke into that Agahnim dude's mansion earlier today and took a bunch of valuables. Apparently those bottles are some of the rarest and most expensive in Hyrule. So yeah, take care of them."

"So your friend pillaged a wealthy man's home and you dumped two of the stolen items in my office?"

"I suppose I didn't think that through either." I rub my chin. "Look, it sounds bad, but it's justified. Agahnim is an evil asshole and Dark was broke."

"Whatever you say, I guess. Agahnim is here in custody, by the way, if you'd like to gloat or something. I won't stop you."

"He was arrested?"

"Mhm. They're questioning his involvement with Yuga for some time going forward. Apparently they found him locked up at the warehouse."

Something about that doesn't add up, but I find it best to just shake it off. "As much as I'd like to, it's best that I just let it go. I'm satisfied knowing I'll never see that man again."

Shad nods and shrugs. "We can hope."

Returning to his desk, Shad hides the wooden box in a deep drawer, then organizes the papers on the tabletop into a neat pile before sitting down. He motions toward the chair across from him, inviting me to sit.

"So. Bigshot vigilante Hero saved us all, hm?" he asks, leaning back with a proud smirk on his face.

Feigning ignorance, I frown. "I think you might be mistaken. We were actually saved by the brave souls at CTPD."

Shad laughs and rolls his eyes, and I grin. "Talk about bull," he says. "I couldn't believe it. Chief sat us all down and explained how we couldn't give credit to a ragtag group of high schoolers led by a wanted vigilante or that would reflect badly on us. He even made us all sign non-disclosure agreements so word wouldn't get out."

I blink. "Wow. He must really hate me."

Shad nods. "He's so determined to bring you in that he almost took your friends into custody."

My eyebrows shoot up as I exclaim, "What?"

"Mhm. It was that day your friends were defending the castle. After Yuga was defeated and all the monsters disappeared, Chief floated the idea to take all of them in to get information on you. See, he knew they were from Hyrule Academy and figured they were affiliated with you. But by the time he made up his mind, they had already left."

"Funny thing is," I say, "those friends of mine at the castle actually have no idea who I am. I only told the people I brought to Yuga's lair."

"Good on you, then." Shad sighs, shaking his head. "It's exhausting, working for the chief. He refuses to see the good in you. And now that we're back in business, this is one of the only running cases we have, so he's focusing a good lot of our efforts on you."

"I guess it's good that I'm gonna be off the grid for a little while, then."

"Oh?" Shad frowns, intrigued. "Are you going to give up being Hero, now that you've accomplished your goals?"

Pondering that, I tongue a tooth. "I think so," I respond after a moment. "At least for now. But whenever I'm needed, I'll be ready to come back."

"Well, there will always be crime in this city. I can't say the same for monsters—at least I hope. But whenever you're ready, I'm sure the people will be happy to have you back protecting them, even if the police are against you."

"Oh! Sheik!" exclaims Dark, digging through the burlap sack on the countertop. "I got what you asked for."

Lying face-down on the couch, Sheik turns his head and looks at him. "Hmm?"

"From Agahnim's mansion," he explains. He takes out two white plastic items with a long wire dangling from each. Grinning, Dark tosses them to Sheik on the couch.

"Ow! What the—" Sheik grabs them and brings them up to his face, studying them. "What the hell are these?"

"You said you wanted nunchucks."

"Not Wii nunchucks!"

Dark pouts. "Someone's being ungrateful."

"Someone's being a dunce," Sheik fires back.

"You're being awfully rude for someone whose face is glued to the same cushion my bare ass was on last night."

Sheik curses, scrambling off the couch and to his feet.

I observe from my bed, amused. "Did you get me anything, Dark?"

"Yeah!" While Sheik sends him a dirty look before heading into the bathroom, Dark digs in his back pocket and throws a handful of plastic things at me, and I shield my face as I'm pelted by them. "There! A buncha condoms. Not from the mansion, though—just the gas station down the street. I didn't think anything at that old geezer's house would be your taste."

Then, he dumps out the remaining contents of the burlap sack, and five or six stacks of money fall onto the countertop.

I blink. "Uh, that would have been my taste."

"Good one, Link." Dark grins and winks at me. "I know you're not that shallow, but nice try."

I can't tell if he's this dense or if he's messing with me.

"Besides," he adds, "you've got a girl now. You'll get much more use out of those rubbers I got you."

"That's my sister," Sheik calls out warningly from behind the bathroom door.

"Half-sister," he counters. "And Link's still hittin' that."

I sigh, vexed. "I'm not, Dark—"

"Well then why were you two in such a rush to scurry over to her place last night?"

I frown. "You heard us?"

Dark points at himself. "Duh. Shadow creature from the dark world. Heightened senses. I saw you two peeking at me 'n Middie last night, too. A little weird, but if it gets you in the mood, then by all means—"

"Dark, stop."

"What? All I'm trying to tell you is that it's possible for you, dawg. You saw how I was workin' it last night. Did you take notes? We have the same body, y'know."

"I'm actually taller and heavier than you, remember?"

"Shoot. You're right." Dark bites his lip. "That can actually play a huge role—the data will be inaccurate. You know what? Just for you, I'm gonna hit gym and get back to the old me."

"You're gonna grow two inches taller by going to the gym?"

"Uh-huh!" he exclaims. "And if I keep it up for a couple months, maybe I'll end up being taller than you."

"You get on that."

"I will right now!" Dark salutes, then hurries to the door, opening it.

Zelda stands in the doorframe, her fist upraised and ready to knock. "Oh! Hey Dark."

"Zelda! We were just talking about you."

Dark maneuvers around her, stopping before leaving my sight, sending me a wink. I roll my eyes. By the time Zelda turns around to face him, he's already gone.

"Hey, Zel," I greet her, hurriedly tossing my bed covers over Dark's thoughtful gifts to hide them from her sight.

"Hey. Um, Karane just left, if you wanna come back and, y'know, finish our date?" she says with raised eyebrows and a hopeful smile.

I grin back. "Of course I do."

Zelda beams. I walk up to her and take her hand, heading out.

I'm there again. Market Street. When and where my old life was ruined, and my new life began. That one fateful night.

I don't know why the gods continue to torture me by forcing me to relive this traumatic experience. I know it's a dream, but it's also a memory that's permanently engraved in my mind, and therefore a dream I cannot escape.

I try to run. My legs carry me down the street and I turn the corner, but I'm back on Market, right in front of that convenience store. It's a loop I can't flee from. I try turning around, but even then, I'm still facing the same way, where I will be forced to witness the inevitable scene that haunts me day after day. I can't close my eyes, because in real life, they're already closed—the image in my brain won't go away.

Minutes pass at an agonizingly slow rate. Eventually I see the foggy outline of Ganondorf Dragmire storming into the store. A moment later he flees, followed by the corpulent cashier, and finally I see my own wispy figure exiting the convenience store, slowly and timidly.

And then my uncle runs into Ganondorf, who raises his gun and pulls the trigger.

Next thing I know, I'm awake, breathing heavily, sitting up in Zelda's bed. Zelda runs her hands up and down my bare chest, concern on her pretty face. "Hey," she whispers soothingly, "I'm right here. You're okay."

I wipe a bead of sweat from my brow, hands shaking, trying to calm my rapid heartrate. I look over and meet her eyes.

"…Something's not right."

She knits her eyebrows, confused. "What do you mean?"

I shrug, looking down. "…I saw Rusl again."

Zelda exhales, sadness in her eyes. "Do you think it's, like, PTSD?"

I hesitate.

"I hope it's only that," I breathe, suddenly feeling cold. "And nothing more."

Wednesday, January 2nd

Right on schedule, Hyrule Academy has reopened for second semester, effectively concluding an eventful winter break, to say the least. Luckily, no students or staff were killed during the siege, although after Yuga's reign was cut short a handful of students were transferred out of the district by their fearful parents. Few can blame them, really.

And, now that I don't have as many out-of-school commitments, I can focus more on my academics—to prove to Zelda's father, the headmaster, that I'm fit to attend this prestigious academy. Last semester, gang-hunting ate up all my free time; I hardly did any homework assignments, and consequently I'd been lucky to finish with a C in a course. Sometime before the semester ended, though, I'd succeeded in bringing up my two F's so that I wouldn't be kicked out of the academy, as are the rules regardless of any scholarships.

The students of Hyrule Academy have, for the most part, been happy to return. Of course, some are still affected by memories of the siege. Yet, if anything, returning to school was treated as an act of strength and perseverance for many of these students, a symbolic refusal of oppression. The mood in the halls is somber, yet headstrong and tough. All petty disputes that'd lasted before have since been thrown out the window, as everyone now understands what's truly important: life, safety, health, strength. As a whole, the academy seems to have come back stronger than ever.

With so many friends of mine who now know my identity, keeping the secret is a lot tougher. I've had to be reminded to keep my voice down more than once today when openly conversing about the night it all went down. I suppose I'm still adjusting to being back at school, as well. Even seeing Impa and Rauru in class—when all I can think about is how one is a certified badass and the other is some strange messenger of the gods—makes it difficult to focus. It helps that they pretend like nothing ever happened, and avoid treating any of the members of the resistance any differently than the rest of the students. But still, how does one forget unbelievable things like that?

I think about all this as I walk from class to class. My peers pass by without any knowledge of my involvement in Castle Town's liberation. And honestly, I prefer it that way. I don't need the recognition or the gratitude. All I need, at this point, is the safety and security to move on and live a normal life.

And so far, normality seems to have returned. I still have my friends, some of them unaware of my superhero persona, most of them aware. I have Zelda to keep me sane, even if I started dating her during the siege. I still go to the same classes. Mr. Masca and Mr. Minish are still tools. The only difference is that I have no gang lords to hunt, no monsters to kill, no city to save. And yet, in spite of all of this comfortable familiarity, something continues to nag at me internally.

I feel incomplete.

I killed Yuga, yes. But he never killed my uncle. Ganondorf did. And when Yuga killed Ganondorf, he stole from me the one thing I swore I would accomplish on that frigid October night. It was utterly cruel.

I failed to avenge Uncle Rusl. Would he have wanted me to avenge him? Probably not. But at the time, I was selfish and convinced myself it would fill the void in my heart—and as I matured, I learned that removing these heinous souls would save countless lives.

So was this outcome best for the greater good of the people? Definitely. But I didn't accomplish what I wanted for myself.

I can relax now, which is nice. But something just… feels off.