In His Shadow

by LivetheLegend

During Hyrule's bloody and infamous Unification War, a young family is torn apart. Their two sons are left separated, neither knowing the other exists. Link grew up surrounded by the mystery and magic of Kokiri Forest; Dark has grown up haunted by the memories of his parents' death and the man who murdered them: Ganondorf. An alternate re-telling of the story of Ocarina of Time.

56. Epilogue

Snowhead Mountains

Dark pulled the tie on his rucksack tight, securing the knot around the top. He hefted it onto his back, shifting until it was comfortable.

Despite repeated attempts to tell himself not to, he gave the mountain cottage one last look around. It had been his home for so many years. An escape from his past. A happy place.

It wasn't anymore. The memories the little house held were tainted.

Closing the door behind him, Dark secured his traveling cloak around his shoulders. He didn't bother to lock the door—let someone else take up residence there.

Dark didn't think he would ever live in Termina again. And he would never set foot in Hyrule again.

Crossing the snow-covered clearing, he stopped at the headstone bearing Sienna's name and knelt in the wet grass. Touching the headstone with his fingertips, Dark bowed his head.

"I'll come back and visit when I can," he promised.

Rising to his feet, Dark turned and headed for the craggy mountain path. It would be a long way, especially on foot, but he had no particular destination in mind.

With each step he felt the grief's claws pierce his heart deeper. He just needed to get away for a while. Needed to get far away from Termina. From Hyrule. From everything that chased him.

Dark followed the mountain's winding path, keeping his back to the rising sun in the east and heading towards an unknown future.

~THE END~

Author's note: Thank you, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This story has taken me several years to complete, and it feels incredible to finish it at last. This fanfic was a real labor of love for me, as Ocarina of Time has been my all-time favourite game since I was a kid. I tried to stay true to the game's spirit, characters, history, lore and the Legend of Zelda in writing this. Finishing the ending felt very much like beating the game for the first time, and I hope you as a reader felt the same awe and inspiration as I did playing the game, each time you read a new chapter.

However, the story is far from over, and there will be a sequel! As well as some other related series and bonus content, all Zelda related projects right now.

Again, thank you so, so much for reading. You're awesome.

~Emmaj26