A/N: This chapter was revised as of 9/1/2019 - Polished, minor errors and typos fixed.
When Heroes Fall
By: Selphie Kinneas 175
Chapter 16: A Bigger Mess
.:.
They wasted no time in making their way back toward the forest, back toward home.
Despite being so close to the village, they mutually decided not to stop by. It was a hard decision, but one they figured would be easier on everyone. Their families and loved ones need not worry more than they already were, and the boys knew telling them of what they were doing would only cause a panic. Not to mention hearing of Link's current predicament would set their hearts ablaze with fear.
No, it would be in everyone's best interest to avoid Ordon and head straight for Faron Woods, so that was what they did.
They passed through the line of trees that separated their home province from the rest of Hyrule. It was a strange feeling to be so close to home without actually going home. Ren ignored the feelings of homesickness as best he could, reminding himself that the person he most desired to see there simply... wasn't there anymore. He swallowed the hard knot that formed in his throat and physically shook the thought away, focusing instead on his surroundings.
It was warm. The same kind of warmth he remembered was typical for this region. The day was young and optimism was a close friend for each of them. The sun was high and a great deal of light filtered in through the dense branches. Despite this, the creature following them went unnoticed.
"Any idea where we're supposed to go now that we're here?" Colin asked, slowing his steed down to a trot.
Ren shook his head, "No clue."
Colin looked around. How was it Link always knew where he was going on his journey? Maybe the goddesses gave him signs. Maybe he just followed his gut. Maybe there was some divine intervention. Maybe he had help. Maybe one of the perks of being the hero was just always knowing what to do. They most certainly were not heroes – they did not know what to do.
The forest of Faron Province was expansive. Both boys had lived amongst the trees all their lives and they were sure they had yet to see even a fraction of it. There were stories of demons and ghosts that flitted between the heavy trunks. There were even more stories of travelers getting lost and becoming one with the forest, a horror that had been more than enough to keep everyone from venturing too far from the beaten path.
Colin could remember back during the days of the twilight that these woods were filled with monsters. He remembered the shrieks, the fear, the smell. He remembered being terrified, but not nearly as terrified as his parents, as all of the adults. For the children, there was always a lack of fully grasping the gravity of danger. The adults, however, were always fully aware. He didn't notice it then, but he understood it more and more as he grew up. He was sure he was more scared of the monsters now than he had ever been as a kid. Luckily, they had yet to encounter any such beasts, and for that he was thankful.
For a while they simply wandered. Hoping an idea would spark or they would spot something out of the ordinary. Time passed beyond their knowledge, each with so much on their minds.
Ren felt excited – they were just so close. He had no idea what he was doing, where he was going, how to find what he was looking for, or even exactly what that was, but something told him he was on the right track. He couldn't hear the sword anymore, couldn't hear anything at all, it was just a feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to make everyone proud, to show everyone what he was made of. He wanted it more than anything.
Colin felt nervous. Excitement was there for the hero's younger brother just the same, but the nerves always somehow prevailed. He believed in Ren with all his heart, he truly, truly did, but he worried for him at the same time. He feared what the queen warned, that he would become consumed by his desire to feel worthy, that he would take after his father and go beyond his limits. Ren was tough on himself, he was temperamental, he expected perfection in everything he did, and Colin feared a day would come when he would no longer heed his uncle's words.
Those were concerns for another time, he supposed.
Something suddenly caught Ren's eye. Beyond the farthest edge of his vision flashed a vibrant color with a glowing trail following behind it. His head snapped to it in a flash, but there was nothing there.
"Hey," Ren whispered, gesturing to Colin but not looking away from that spot, "Did you just see something?"
Colin glanced around before furrowing his brow, "No. Did you?"
"Maybe?" he replied, completely unsure of himself.
"Might as well see what it was," Colin said with a shrug, "We've got nothing else to go by."
Ren nodded and nudged Mila toward what he thought he saw. She trotted lightly, her master's pull on the reins a soft one. His eyes were focused on the distance; he had to remind himself to blink. The second he did, he saw another flash of gold.
"There!" Ren exclaimed, pointing just around a grouping of trees, "Did you see it?"
Colin looked but all he saw were trunks and leaves, "I don't see anything, Ren. Are you sure you're not just tired? We could stop and re-"
"Follow me," he blurted, not entertaining his uncle's disbelief for even a second.
He pushed Mila forward quickly, and with an uncomfortable whinny she galloped on. In and out of trees he urged her forward. Only the faintest hint of light kept catching his eye. The tiniest ethereal sparkle would glisten off of the sunlight, and he kept to its trail as best he could. Colin shouted for him to wait, struggling to keep up far behind his nephew, but Ren ignored his calls.
At last, they came to a clearing. Before them was a dirt path leading up to a massive tree, a tree so tall that beneath the path lay nothing but an abyss. For a moment, Ren lost sight of his guide, and he had a lapse of faith in what he was seeing. Was he hallucinating? Was he truly just tired like Colin had said?
Ren rubbed at his eyes and shook his head. He ran his fingers through his hair and pressed into his temples. He couldn't have just imagined that, could he? Was it just stray rays of sunlight? No, he knew he saw something, he just knew it. He heard his uncle at last come to a stop behind him.
"Did you lose it?" Colin asked.
Ren didn't answer. He stared straight ahead, eyes darting from the thick leaves to the strong tree trunks. Doubt flickered in his heart but somehow he just knew he couldn't give up. He knew he had to be on the right track. His eyes narrowed as he caught the faintest glimmer far at the side of his vision. When he focused on that spot, there was nothing there. Still, he had to investigate.
He flicked the reins softly and Mila walked toward the edge of the path. There, standing near the brink of the abyss, was a golden wolf. It was unassuming, still, quiet. Its fur was bright and it had one glowing, red eye that seemed to peer right through his soul. Ren's eyes went wide as saucers.
Colin saw his nephew's shocked expression, and he glanced frantically between Ren's dopey look and the spot he scrutinized. Colin saw nothing.
"What is it, Ren?"
Ren didn't say anything. He and the wolf stared at one another. At length, the wolf turned around and began walking over the chasm. As it went, a trail formed beneath it. Its four paws glided elegantly across the blackness, creating a faint, golden path with every step. It reached the end and simply sat, gazing over at the duo on the other side and patiently waiting.
Ren finally remembered to blink. He looked at his uncle who appeared completely confused.
"You don't see the wolf?"
Wide-eyed, Colin shook his head, "Wolf? No. I just saw that path form out of nowhere. You've been following a wolf?"
Ren didn't reply. He turned back toward the canine and it was gone, but its safe passage remained. Ren hopped off his steed and approached the path with enthusiasm.
"Wait," Colin called nervously, dismounting Ilari and stepping in front of Ren with haste.
Colin placed one foot on the mysterious trail, tapping lightly to ensure it was safe. Seeing that it didn't immediately give way, he placed a little more pressure, and lastly, he transferred all of his weight to it. It remained intact, and its golden glow dimmed to blend in to the surroundings.
Ren smiled at the sight and practically pushed Colin aside to make his way across.
"Let's go already!"
Colin huffed anxiously, casting a worried glance back at his four-legged friend before chasing after his nephew into the unknown.
They were surrounded by trees.
Trees encompassed them, enveloped them, encroached on them. They grew up in the forest, but this was somehow so much more smothering. The boys were quiet, and the environment around them was even quieter. Ren heard his own heart beating faster and faster and faster to the point he was worried it would plop out of his chest and stain the brilliant green grass. Colin heard his own lungs filling with air at the volume of a windstorm. He tried to hold his breath, worried that if he could hear it so loudly, something else might as well.
Neither spoke, their footsteps were light, all outside noise now barely a memory. Colin followed at Ren's heels, but Ren was lost. He didn't see his guide, didn't hear the sword, didn't feel anything in his gut save for the overwhelming discomfort. His previously excited demeanor had quickly shifted to one of uncertainty. This place didn't feel right, didn't feel safe. Maybe they were in over their heads.
Colin swallowed hard. He normally would have picked up on his nephew's uneasiness, but he was entirely too focused on his own to notice. He felt eyes on him from all around, but when he would look, he saw nothing. There was no breeze in the leaves, no rustle of the branches, no sound of wildlife or light from the sun. He felt something behind him and he whirled around. Nothing was there, but the sudden movement startled Ren and caused him to step loudly on a thick twig.
Its crunch echoed through the trees. Ren gasped but Colin's breath held in his throat. There was a flicker in the underbrush. Ren had no idea what he was doing, but he pointed the Master Sword at the rustling hedge. His fingers trembled, sweat dripped down his brow, his pulse almost ran away without him. Terrified, he stepped back, but kept the steel aimed... Focused... Focused... He stared with such focus he forgot everything else.
The leaves brushed aside and the monster jumped forth.
It was a squirrel.
Ren let the heavy weight of the blade of evil's bane fall to the dirt and Colin let out an audible sigh.
After a moment of catching their breath and calming themselves down, they each looked at one another and couldn't help but laugh. Colin placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder and doubled over. Ren threw his head back and they both couldn't believe what they'd gotten so worked up over.
"A squirrel," Colin choked out between breaths.
Ren exhaled with a smile, "A squirrel."
Colin shook his head with a hearty laugh, "I get the feeling we aren't cut out for this."
"Speak for yourself, old man," Ren nudged his uncle's arm with a mischievous grin, "At least I was able to pick up the Master Sword."
"To kill a squirrel? You should be proud."
Ren laughed again, folding his arms over his chest with a look of mock superiority, "Sounds like you're jealous."
"Pfft," Colin chuckled, "That is not a responsibility I want, kid."
Ren gave him a look.
Colin rolled his eyes, "Fine, I'm a little jealous."
Ren laughed whole-heartedly again, and in their state of gleeful distraction, they were taken by surprise.
"Play with me!"
They both whirled around. Colin stepped protectively in front of his nephew, glaring wide-eyed down at a strange, small creature. It wore leaves and foliage over its skeletal frame, and its wide, menacing grin set the boys on edge. It carried a strange instrument, and when neither Ordonian could find a reply to the bizarre kid, it blew into the little horn with all its might.
Its laugh sent a shiver down their spines, and the sudden sound of rustling leaves behind them jumpstarted their hearts. They turned with a gasp to see four monsters hovering toward them. Their limbs were gangly, their smiles were foreboding, and they seemed to come from the very trees themselves.
Colin fumbled for his weapon, nervous sweat piling up at his hairline. Ren's eyes were wide in fear and he wrapped both of his hands around the hilt of the Master Sword tightly. One fiend jumped forward, and all Ren could think to do was helplessly extend the blade in a flash, and the monster impaled itself. It exploded into swirling leaves, and another one quickly took its place.
Colin clumsily lunged forward, managing to swipe the tree beast's arm off in his inelegant flail, causing it to crumble to leaves just the same. Then, the last two spontaneously burst into a whirlwind of foliage.
Ren and Colin looked at each other in unbridled terror. Then, without a word, they both broke out into a sprint. They darted through the thick trees and twists and turns, not knowing where they were going but just running. Fear fueled their adrenaline and they went for as long as they could, not seeing that the wolf followed closely behind.
They heard laughter and horns and the rummaging of leaves. They were both too scared to look back, they just ran as fast as their feet could take them. Ren swore he felt breath on the back of his neck, down his shoulders, and he ran faster. Colin swore he felt something right at his heels, inching closer and closer should he dare to slow down, and he ran faster. Perhaps what they felt was real, perhaps it was their mind playing tricks on them. All they knew was that they had never felt so afraid, and they ran faster.
At last they came to a river. Beautiful waterfalls cascaded down into the glistening pool, and Ren fell to his knees at the muddy bank. He rubbed at his bad leg, thanking the goddesses its strength had grown exponentially since that fateful day. Colin plopped hastily down beside him, plunging open palms into the crystal waters and splashing his face.
"What was that?" Ren asked, breathing hard.
Colin shrugged, wiping shaking hands down his now-wet face, "I don't know."
Ren sighed and stared down into the pool before him. The water barely moved. This place was so still, so quiet – it felt like they had stepped through a portal to another world entirely. It felt like they escaped that horrifying situation and were now in some sort of sanctuary. He felt safer, but still on edge. He saw his own tired reflection and decided he needed a splash of cold water just the same. He leaned forward, but just as he was about to wet his hands, he saw a glimmer of gold in the pool's reflection. He jolted up, looking quickly for his mysterious guide. He met the wolf's eyes, and it started running.
"Hey!" Ren yelled, jumping immediately to his feet and startling Colin.
Ren dashed after the wolf as fast as he could, Colin huffing and puffing just behind him, shouting his name to no avail.
Ren ran and ran, just barely following a flicker of light at the farthest reaches of his vision every time. After what felt like an eternity, they were, somehow, back at the same stream, and the wolf was gone.
Noticing it led them nowhere, Ren kicked a rock at his foot with all his might, "Thanks for nothing!"
Colin caught up and doubled over to catch his breath. Ren folded his arms angrily across his chest, but his temper was not so easily contained. He thrust his hands to his head and grunted in pure frustration, stomping over to the water's edge and slamming his fist onto the surface.
Perhaps he shouldn't have, but Colin laughed.
"What's so funny!" Ren fumed.
Colin collected himself and stood up straight, "Don't get so worked up. We'll find our way through one way or another."
Ren scoffed, "Well, it would be easier if we weren't being led in circles."
"Let's just rest for a bit. Maybe that's what your magical friend is trying to tell us, that we should take a break," Colin suggested, sitting down beside the water.
Ren sighed, "Fine."
They didn't know it, but night had long since descended. No sunlight nor moonlight could make its way through the rooftop of trees. They were more tired than they would admit to themselves, sleep having washed over them both in only a matter of minutes. The forest was a soothing lullaby, even the eerier parts such as these. The faintest hum of crickets, the dim light from fireflies, the sheer stillness – it was all otherworldly.
Ren dreamt of being at home with his mother. In his imaginary place she never died, and he never left home. He told her he loved her, and all was peaceful and calm in his world. But he never found his father.
Colin dreamt of the girl from Castle Town. They lived together happily ever after and had many children. He lived a long and fruitful life and grew old with his beautiful bride. But he never found his brother.
The sound of a glaring trumpet brought them back to reality.
They both jolted up to find themselves completely surrounded by the hovering tree monsters. Ten or more danced and mocked them to the tune of their leader's instrument. When a demon dove at them before either one could grab a weapon, the golden wolf lunged at the fiend's neck. Its teeth sunk in deep until the beast was nothing but a pile of leaves. Loud snarls and growls were all they heard as the mysterious canine annihilated their enemies before their very eyes.
Burst after burst the monsters turned into leaves and sticks lifeless on the dirty ground. The minions eradicated, the wolf turned to the skeletal kid and simply stared. Ren and Colin watched on in wonderment, but had no idea what was going on. The forest child and the ethereal wolf stared for what could have been eons past, and at last, they came to an understanding.
"That was fun! I'll let you into a secret place..."
In the distance they heard a rumbling, and the strange kid was gone. The wolf remained, staring at them noiselessly.
Ren stepped forward, "Thanks for saving us."
The wolf made no notion of reply. It was a wolf, after all, Ren thought. Wolves can't talk, but, this wasn't just a wolf, right? There had to be more to it, and for that reasoning alone, Ren felt the need to keep talking.
"Can you show us where to go? This place is... kind of confusing," Ren chuckled nervously.
The wolf remained still. It made no sound, no gesture, no change in stature or blink of its one eye. Colin looked worriedly at his nephew, for he could now see the wolf since its brave intervention, but he wasn't sure there was more to it than that.
"Ren, it's a wolf," Colin whispered.
"No," Ren shook his head, but his eyes never left his guide's, "My dad told me to follow a golden wolf. There's something special about it."
Colin breathed deep, unsure of just about everything. Then, the wolf stood up, turned around, and slowly started walking. Ren glanced briefly at his uncle before following the wolf eagerly. There was no rush in its step this time. No urgency, no ambiguity, no games. It led them to a clearing before once again becoming still and turning to face them.
Ren's jaw hung open as the trees finally opened up to the sky; he felt like he could breathe again. The sounds of the breeze and the light from the stars returned and it finally felt like he was almost where he was supposed to be.
Before them was what appeared to be a once-grand building now dilapidated. There were stone walls missing, chunks of stairwell lost to age, and banisters and plinths claimed by the elements. Beyond the balcony they stood on was the greater part of the clearing. Walls that seemed once upon a time to be ornate and withstanding had crumbled, and pristine floors were taken by overgrowth and the decay of time. Against the farthest wall stood two tall, stone statues, each covered in moss and rust. They appeared to be warriors, eternally guarding whatever lay beyond the archway between them.
The wolf turned and looked at the plain, stone door just in front of them. Ren eyed it curiously, walking around it just to see what was on the other side. There was nothing – it was a door that led nowhere. Still, the wolf stared, and at last, it hopped down the stairs and over toward the archway guarded by the stone giants.
Ren went to follow, but Colin grabbed his arm.
"I have a weird feeling about this," Colin muttered under his breath, as if the wolf would hear him and be displeased.
Ren met Colin's serious expression with his own optimistic one, "I know, but this is what we're supposed to do. This is what my dad told me to do."
"Are you sure, Ren?" Colin asked, looking around nervously, "Are you sure this is what he meant?"
Ren didn't even stop to think, "Yeah, it's gotta be. We're so close, Uncle Colin."
Colin sighed, "I promised I would keep you safe, you know."
Ren smirked mischievously, "Better keep up then," and he darted after the wolf.
He heard Colin laugh behind him, so he picked up the pace. He ran through the archway with a gleeful smile.
Ren heard Colin shout, "Hey, wai-"
But his voice stopped short.
Ren turned around. Colin was frozen mid-stride. He wore a playful expression, his arm outstretched and his legs in the middle of a sprint. He didn't blink, didn't breathe, didn't move. Ren looked around frantically. The leaves didn't rustle with the breeze – there was no breeze. The clouds didn't move in the sky, the stars didn't twinkle, there was no more sound. Everything was frozen.
Ren began to panic, his breath quickened, and all he could think to do was shake Colin to alertness. He grabbed his uncle's shoulders and begged him to return to him.
"Wake up! Wake up! Plea-"
He heard gentle laughter behind him.
Ren spun around on his heel and saw something that made him think he was hallucinating altogether. A golden figure, clad in green, stood beside the stone plinth in the center of the room.
"Your friend will be okay, I promise," the entity spoke.
Ren was terrified, but the man's voice was calm, and he felt no threat or ill-will from this being.
The golden man eyed Ren up and down. He placed a gloved hand to his chin before briefly removing his green cap to scratch at his head.
"You can't be the next hero," he said under his breath, "So why did she ask me to bring you here?"
Ren's brow furrowed in utter confusion, "I- she- what?"
The green-clad stranger narrowed his eyes at Ren, noticing at last the Master Sword in his possession.
He bounded up to Ren with excitement on his face, "Lemme see that."
He reached for it and Ren tried to defend it, but to no avail.
The man held it in his hand, eyeing the steel with adoration in his blue eyes. He swung it a few times around in his left hand before running his fingers across the blade with a look of pure fondness.
"Ah," he sighed, "It's been a while, old friend. Now, wh-"
Ren was so confused that he couldn't take it anymore. He took an agitated step toward the stranger and fumed, "Who are you?"
The man looked at him with no particular expression on his face. All was silent for a handful of moments before realization dawned on him.
"Ohh... You're trying to save your hero."
Ren huffed, but found himself too dumbstruck to reply.
The man smiled, noticing the boy's eagerness to help but his utter confusion at the same time. He simply stared at Ren for a moment, chuckling when he realized how overwhelmed his guest must be feeling.
"Sorry, I've been on my own for so long I forget my manners sometimes," he grinned widely, something childlike about his entire demeanor, "You asked who I was. I'm the Hero of Time."
Ren furrowed his brow. He'd never been told any stories about other heroes, but he remembered seeing a book about such a man in his father's house what felt like years ago now.
"You don't know me," the hero inferred from the boy's bizarre look, "Great. I much prefer that, actually. Never really liked all the attention," he chuckled again.
"I- Uh," Ren stammered, his voice was completely lost to him. He thought he was told to follow a golden wolf to a Sacred Grove, but that wolf ended up being a supposed hero of old. Time froze around him and he mentioned a 'she' telling him what to do. It just seemed to keep piling on.
Colin was right, Ren thought, they weren't cut out for this.
The hero read Ren's uneasiness like a book, and he tried his best to open him up and make him more comfortable, "I hope getting here wasn't too difficult for you."
Ren stared, mentally reminding himself how to speak again, "I- Uh, no... It wasn't that bad."
"The skull kid didn't give you too much trouble, I take it?"
"Skull kid?" Ren asked.
"Yeah. Skinny little fellow, plays the horn, summons monsters from trees, you know, that guy," the hero explained with a shrug.
"Uh," Ren muttered, "No?"
"Good, good," the hero smiled, "He and I go way back. We're friends, most of the time."
Ren just stared.
"Right," the hero said, turning toward the plinth between them, "You're here to help your hero."
Ren closed his slack jaw and at last nodded.
The hero looked around. He gazed up at the heavens, at their surroundings, almost at time itself.
"Ah... This is the age of twilight. Your hero is the hero of twilight."
Ren finally knew what his guide was referring to. The word 'twilight' was all he had spent his life hearing about. Its hero, its war, its villains. He knew everything about it that someone that wasn't physically there could know.
"Yes," Ren answered confidently.
The hero closed his eyes and smiled, "I remember our conversation... I enjoyed it. He didn't deserve his fate, though, none of them did."
The ancient entity could feel Ren's confusion resurfacing, so he turned back to him.
"There have been many heroes throughout time. Heroes of skies, of seas, of light and dark, of most things you can imagine. Many that came and went before me, many that have come and gone since then, and even more that will come and go long after this world as you currently know it is unrecognizable."
Ren listened on intently, his eyes narrowed in contemplation.
The hero noticed his quiet intrigue. He was surprised this boy seemed to know little of the subject, so he went on.
"Evil rises. A hero is chosen to meet it, and a princess to aid her hero. It has happened for eons, and will continue to happen for even longer. It's Hyrule's fate."
Ren's brow furrowed, "You talk about what happened, sure... But how can you possibly know what will happen?"
He smiled. He took a small, blue instrument from his pouch, tossed it lightly and caught it softly in the palm of his hand, "Time and I have a strange bond. It grants me passage as I see fit up and down its many streams. I have seen Hyrule in its most peaceful eras and in its most violent. I've watched many heroes on their journeys throughout the ages and done my best to help them," he chuckled lightly then, "I must admit, I was always rather partial to this one."
Ren was intrigued, but still perplexity was stronger. He was finally beginning to feel a bit more at ease, as if this was someone – or something – he could talk to.
"So... you were a hero? Just like my dad?"
The hero's eyes went a bit wide, "You're this hero's son?"
Ren nodded. The Hero of Time paused for a moment, but shortly after the brightest smile lit up his face.
"That brings me such joy to hear he was able to live happily and have a family. Most heroes are not so lucky."
"He left my mother before I was even born. He didn't even know I existed. I've just barely met him and I'm fifteen," Ren blurted. His voice was sharp and his tone was blunt.
Ren's words hit the hero like a ton of bricks. The Hero of Time's grin faded to a genuine frown. His gaze fell to the dirt and he cast a sad glance at the sword in his hand.
"I... see," he stated at last, "He left to find his companion. He was consumed by his desire to find her, and in his desperation, he made a bigger mess of things."
The hero looked back at Ren. Ren didn't know what he meant by companion or any of the other nonsense he was spewing. Frankly, he just wanted to do what he came here for and be on his way.
"I don't know. I'm supposed to find a girl named Midna so she can help him, okay? That's it."
"Midna..." the hero whispered, "Yes, that's the girl he mentioned."
"Can you help me get to her or not?" Ren blurted.
The Hero of Time eyed the boy, then the Master Sword.
"Yes," he nodded, "It must be the only way. She wouldn't have told me to help you with this otherwise."
"Who's 'she' that you keep mentioning?" Ren questioned.
The hero smirked, lifting the blade just a bit and gesturing at the steel.
Ren looked at him in disbelief.
"What they say about the Master Sword is true: there's a bossy girl in there that tells us what to do and helps us on our journey," he smiled, "Any hero who comes to terms with his destiny can hear her. Others who she deems necessary hear her plea like bells."
Ren stared in bewilderment, "I heard the bells."
"Yep," the hero grinned, flourishing the blade, "She allowed you to bring her here, to help her hero. That is her one and only goal, to keep her hero safe."
"So... I can't actually use the sword?" Ren frowned.
The hero chuckled, "Nope, sorry. Honestly, though, it's a responsibility you just don't want."
Ren glanced over his shoulder at his uncle at that statement, for he had said the very same thing. He hoped he was okay, frozen there like that... he hoped he wasn't in pain.
The hero saw Ren's worry, "Your friend will wake up as soon as you come back."
Ren turned back to him in a flash, "Come back?"
"Well, yeah," the hero laughed, "You came to get the girl that can help you save your hero, right?"
Ren smiled, "Yeah."
The hero nodded happily. Ren didn't know what to do, but he assumed he would need the pieces of light and twilight that his father had painstakingly spent so much of his life fretting over. He retrieved them and extended them to the Hero of Time.
"Place them beside the plinth," the hero instructed.
Ren obliged. He lay the light arrow on the right, and the shard of the twilight crystal on the left. However, Ren still wasn't any less confused.
"Is this the Sacred Grove?" Ren asked, taking a step back.
The hero looked around with a smile, "That is one of its many names, yes."
Ren perched a brow, "What else is it?"
"Well," the hero exhaled, "It's been known as many things throughout its life. I knew it as the Temple of Time."
The more Ren learned, the more his face beamed with fascination.
"The Temple of Time?" he parroted, "You said you're called... the Hero of Time... So was it a temple made for you?"
The hero laughed. His eyes squinted and his smile lit up the dark clearing. It felt good to genuinely laugh.
He smiled at his guest, "No, not quite."
Ren's brow furrowed. He resigned to the fact that there was much he could never fully understand. There was likely much the ancient being wouldn't divulge, or couldn't. Still, maybe there were some more things he could.
"What happened?" Ren asked vaguely, gazing around at the little birds who had made nests in what was once a thick, stone wall, and the plants that grew where once they wouldn't, and the hero got his meaning.
"Well, this place hasn't been the Temple of Time in... a very long time."
Ren wanted more of an answer than that.
He asked plainly, "How long?"
The hero's eyes glazed over as he thought on it.
At last he surmised, "Centuries."
Ren's eyes went wide, "You mean, you're from... centuries ago? Why are you still here?"
The hero gave a sad smile, but he did not answer. Instead, he moved to stand before the plinth with the Master Sword held firmly in his grasp. When it looked like he was about to strike the stone, Ren blurted out for him to wait.
"What's going to happen? My dad spent so much time trying to find those pieces just to do this. I don't..." he sighed, gazing down and away, "I don't want to mess it up."
The hero looked at him, admiration for how much this meant to him.
When his guide didn't immediately reply, Ren continued, "He pored over this whole stupid prophecy for so long. He asked me to follow you here, to get Midna... I just want to make sure I do it right."
The hero stood up tall and lowered the Master Sword to his side. He'd heard a great deal of prophecies in his time, and they always proved to be much simpler than those trying to decipher them made them out to be.
"This place is a gateway," the Hero of Time began, "In essence, it is a hub by which one could travel anywhere they longed to go, so long as their intentions were good, the sword obliged, and they possessed the pieces from both sides they were looking to connect," he elaborated with a serious expression, "This place is time itself. It begins here, at this stone, and it flows unending like water into a winding river. The Master Sword will strike the plinth, and time will stagnate. Time is physical here. Ticking and unticking, forward and reverse."
Ren's lips parted, his stare blank yet somehow full of shock. For a moment, he held his breath without realizing. That was the prophecy. He didn't remember it word for word like his father or the queen did, but he knew enough to recognize everything the hero just said. He even recited what Emeline had said before they left. It was here. All along, it was always here.
The hero noticed Ren's look of utter surprise, and he couldn't help but chuckle, eager to bring back a bit more lightheartedness.
"That was the long way of assuring you that this will work."
Ren smiled briefly before he looked quite serious again, "So, to open it... you just strike the Master Sword to the plinth? Have you done it before?"
The hero smirked. He tried to stifle the quiet chuckle, but it still came out as amused breaths. He looked down at the familiar stone, then up at his new friend with a grin.
"Once or twice."
When Ren had no reply, the hero took that as the go-ahead. He resumed his position before the plinth, the steel of the blade of evil's bane pointed downward. The hero closed his eyes and drank in the moment – it suddenly felt like it was ages past, when he was the hero, his fairy at his side, travelling the twisted web between childhood and adulthood back and forth like a sick game. He remembered the nausea, the soreness in his muscles, the pain in his limbs and the stiffness in his joints. He remembered the memory lapses and the mental breakdowns. However, he also remembered having fun. He remembered moments where he felt powerful, where he forgot his duty and was simply a kid again. He remembered his companion, helping him up every time he fell down.
He remembered striking this plinth so many times. So many times. He struck it again. When he opened his eyes, it wasn't for himself. It wasn't for his own journey, but it was for another's. He opened his eyes and saw the son of this world's hero staring at him wide-eyed. He was not this world's hero. His time was past. His fairy, his friends, his loved ones had moved on. He could not. There was still so much... he wanted to do.
Lights and sounds enveloped the hero, a whirlwind of splendor by which Ren was awestruck. There was a deep boom in the distance, and Ren's eyes lit up.
"Whoa!" Ren exclaimed, "Did that open it?"
The hero looked at him and smiled, his internal worries never allowed to surface. He wanted this boy to succeed, with all his heart he wanted it.
"That should do it," he stood tall, gazing down at the Master Sword that remained within the plinth. It didn't belong to him any longer.
Ren didn't waste a minute. He turned and ran for where he heard the sound. It came from the large, unassuming door that the wolf had been previously eyeing. He had thought it was nothing, but he knew this was it.
The hero appeared beside him, standing before the door.
"Will you come with me?" Ren asked, looking up at him with hope.
The hero laughed softly, "No, no. That place isn't for me."
Ren looked back at the door, "Is it going to take me to the... twilight? To Midna?"
"I imagine it should, yes."
Ren stared at the stone, the doors weren't even open but the threshold was terrifying. He wasn't a hero, this wasn't a typical thing for him. He couldn't fight, he wasn't brave or strong, he had no idea what he was doing. He was scared.
"No need to be afraid," the hero said.
Ren looked up at him, wondering if he could read his mind.
"Your hero..." he stopped and corrected himself, "Father... wouldn't have asked this of you if you couldn't do it. The sword wouldn't have allowed you to bring her here to open the portal if you couldn't do it."
Ren gazed up at him and the hero simply smiled. Ren nodded his thanks, and the hero understood. But, Ren had one last question.
"Is the Master Sword going to stay there?"
The hero gazed off in its direction, then down at the boy, "I imagine she'll be here, eagerly awaiting her hero."
Ren smiled, "I'll make sure he doesn't keep her waiting too long."
The hero grinned brightly and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "I believe you will! I truly believe you will."
Ren could only keep smiling. At length, he gave a determined nod and faced the door head on. As he took a step closer, the stone doors slowly opened. Ren glanced back at the Hero of Time, but he was gone. He looked around, but saw him nowhere. He felt the hero's presence, his calm reassurance, and that was enough. He stepped forward, toward the gateway that looked like nothing more than swirling shades of dusk. Strong winds blew his hair back as he got closer, and his heart pumped hard against the wall of his chest. He breathed deep and closed his eyes, assuring himself that he didn't need to be afraid, that he could do this.
He moved forward... and forward... until at last he was whisked away.
On the ledge overlooking the portal, the Hero of Time watched on. He had never been able to find his own companion. He had devoted his life to it. He had been consumed by his desire to find her, and in his desperation, he had made a bigger mess of things. He prayed to the goddesses that this hero's fate would be different. He truly hoped that the boy would succeed, and that this hero would get to reunite with his companion like he himself had always longed to. He smiled; he had a good feeling this hero's fate would be different.
Far away, this world's hero was long gone.
The king had fetched Doctor Borville to examine his guest, as he had not come to in days. He cared not for his wellbeing, but he couldn't have him dying on him, either. He needed him, as much as he hated it. Although, he had to admit he greatly enjoyed toying with him, and he would be quite distraught to lose his favorite plaything.
The old doctor scrutinized the chained-up captive, adjusting his oversized glasses. He was unmoving, pale, and appeared altogether lifeless. He listened to his heart and measured what he could, but the king was never a patient man.
"Well? Is he dying or not?" Viscen blathered from the entry to the cell.
"Hmph," the doctor huffed at his impatience, "My work takes time! But this young lad has quite the infection. Several cuts, contusions, a profound amount of blood loss, and-"
"I don't care," Viscen declared, "Will he live or not?"
Doctor Borville's fumes matched the king's, but he feared speaking out of term, "Not for long if he goes untreated. I could give the lad some medicine for the infec-"
The king waved his hand, "Thank you for your time, doctor," and then he nodded to his guards to see their guest out.
"What!" the doctor exclaimed, "My payment! Why, my skills are wor-"
"You'll get your payment, old man," Viscen dismissed, "So long as our beloved hero doesn't die."
"Hmmmph!" Doctor Borville seethed. The guards grabbed him by his short, stubby arms and physically saw him out, the doctor shouting all the while, "I knew this would be nothing but a bother. A bother!"
The hero and the king were once again left alone. Viscen stood above him, no plans of hostility today. His eyes narrowed, analyzing the man before him. He looked truly pathetic, slumped over on the cold floor. His blood had long since dried and clung to his bare skin. His hair was dripping with sweat yet his body was the color of snow. His head lulled lifelessly, his eyelids were shut lightly and his lips were just barely parted. The only thing that held him up were the chains around his wrists, but the most subtle rise and fall of his chest was all the king was looking for. As long as he was still alive, he didn't care about the details.
With a satisfied grin, Viscen turned to leave. He shut the cell door behind him, and strolled out of the dungeon, content with himself.
Link's body was buried deep within unconsciousness. His mind, however, dreamt. In his dreams he was surrounded by blackness. In this subconscious world he sat, knees to his chest, desperate to warm himself up. His breath was the brightest cloud in the darkness. He felt suffocated by his loneliness. He heard voices telling him this was it, this was how it was all going to end. He would die alone, in darkness, shivering in the cold. He pressed his head to the tops of his knees, and his body shook violently. He couldn't feel his heartbeat, couldn't hear his lungs fill with air. He forgot all feeling, and when he grew so tired he tried to close his eyes, something stopped him.
"Link..."
He picked his head up, but he still saw nothing.
He had no voice, he couldn't move...
"Link..."
It got louder, but when he tried to stand, he was too weak. He tried to call out, but his voice only croaked.
"Link..."
He placed his hands down beside him, attempting to use all of his strength to get up. Even in his mind, he was just too frail.
"Link..."
The sound was so familiar, so calming...
"Link, I'm coming..."
He knew that voice. It was Midna's voice.
He was determined.
He shifted his weight to his feet. He grimaced, focusing on lifting himself to stand. He tried to call to her for help, but he could only whimper. His legs shook. His knees buckled. He could not hold himself, he was too weak.
He fell back down.
He lay there, and the nothingness came back. It felt so nice, so peaceful... He closed his eyes...
"Link, I'm coming..."
He heard her voice again, but he knew he was dreaming. He didn't fight it. He didn't have the strength to fight it anymore, and he no longer wanted to. He'd been fighting so long...
"I'm coming."
He ignored her.
He closed his eyes, and his mind, like his body, went to sleep.
The darkness was stronger, he was sure it always had been.
When in desperation.
A big thank you to the following for helping me get this chapter out there!
SonadowKokoro100, Debora, Chloe Rose, Claudia, Gabby-J, Jessie, Mandelbrot, Yami no Nokutan, Rob Walters, Sabine, Lotus Eater, Ivalee, Anonymouse, Lee Glerum, Jacob Peachey, Moonfairy, Jared Thomason, Big Jake
You guys are amazing!
