New Hyrule Order
Chapter 9-The Power of Hope
Author's Note-Forgive me for not updating this story in literally forever. I really had no idea how to get the story to go exactly in the direction I wanted it to go. Also, you may have noticed that the view of the hylians in the Way of the Hero seems a bit hyper-conservative. This is because I myself held those beliefs at one point. But I've sinced changed my ways and I've come to realise things I should have before. Because of my change in perspective, I'm going to begin shifting the perspective of things in the story as well. And it'll begin with a character you wouldn't expect it to...and sorry, but this chapter is a bit short. Don't worry, I've already begun the next chapter, and it'll be longer. Originally the chapter after this one was in fact part of this chapter, but I seperated them in order to mantainthe rightflow. So if you please, enjoy.
The North Forests of Hyrule had always been considered a forbidden zone. Noone ever entered those dark woods for fear of the terrors that lurked within. It had had its good share of rumors, legends and myths of its own-such as the old legend of the early days of Hyrule, during the chaos before King Daphnes' reign…in the time of King Daltus. The legend went that long before the unification of Hyrule, King Daltus had commissioned the building of several grand cathedrals to be built in the northernmost part of the country. The whole of them together would form a great complex, spreading hundreds of miles through the forest that would be a beacon of hope for all those in Hyrule, a place that would be the meeting of ideas beliefs for all the people in Hyrule, to form peace between the warring tribes. That utopian ideal, however, was not to last. Although the Cathedral Complex had been built, the tribes were simply not interested. And so, it had been built for nothing. King Daltus' plan to unify Hyrule simply did not come to fruition, and the great cathedrals of Daltus were lost and abandoned.
What King Daltus didn't know, however, was that the great complex would serve another purpose entirely. One that was just the exact opposite of what he had hoped for. It was that great complex that had come to be known as the Palace of Shadows. A ground that was once holy had become defiled and tainted with dark power. And so the forest took over the complex, isolating various parts of it in clearings obscured by the towering trees…
The power that had transformed this place was unknown. Possibly some evil diety from Hyrule's early age of chaos had claimed it as its own, or perhaps it had become a meeting place for monsters. For whatever reason, the Palace of Shadows was a major part of the lore that surrounded the north forests. One that had reached a certain wanna-be-wizard's ears…
Doof was pacing back and forth in another part of the Happy Mask Man's house. Upstairs, the other members of the Brothers Weird, Kirk, Geabora, and the Happy Mask man were trying to comfort Link in his desperation-and form a plan to save Zelda. Doof had something on his mind. He'd been thinking about it ever since he'd heard about Gonanism.
"The Church of Hyrule has always taught that remaining closed and intolerant has been the way of the Hero…and Akunem brought to them a new ideal of being open and free. The people of Hyrule saw this as a good thing and took advantage of it…but it really isn't good to be open to everything, is it? Unless…"
"Doof! Get up here for a second!" Called down Kirk.
"Coming, O good sir!" said Doof, scrambling up the stairs. When he re-entered the room, Link and everyone else were still on the couches. Kirk, however, was by the window.
"Just letting you know, since we've all seen it already." Said kirk. He motioned with his head towards the window from which they'd watched Akunem's speech earlier.
Doof looked out the window to see-nothing. The whole city had become deserted, apart from a few Gonanite Priests roaming around.
"They've all gone! Perhaps this is a good thing? Maybe while they are busy, we can make our escape!" said Doof.
"Coward. We're going to rescue Zelda. Stopping this thing is what's right."
"But good sir knight, I am afraid!"
"And you think I'm not?"
"Well…" Doof stumbled with his words.
"Error!"
"What's it now, Error?" asked Kirk
"Mr. Fairy is still very sad," said Tingle, "but Tingle and Error want to fight!"
"And you have my assistance." Said Geabora.
"I can provide you with whatever you may need!" said the Happy Mask man.
"So we've all in, then?" asked Kirk.
"Yes!" said Tingle. "All of us except…Mr Fairy…"
Everyone turned to link, who was still lying on the couch.
"Hey, buddy?" asked Kirk.
"Go away," muttered Link, "Leave me alone…"
There was a silence.
"The power of the Triforce means nothing now. You saw them out there. Where is there hero now? Right here, realizing his stupidity."
Another silence.
"What did I do? What did I accomplish? Everything I've done, everything I've worked for, all the people I've saved…for this? For the ones I helped to be the death of those I love?"
"Link…"said Kirk.
"Yeah, What!" Link spat angrily, getting up and throwing a pillow against the wall.
Kirk walked up, kneeled in front of him, and grabbed his friend by the shoulders.
"SNAP…OUT…OF…IT!" Kirk screamed right into Link's face. Everyone flinched.
"Wh…what?" said Link, dazed.
"THIS IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU, YOU KNOW!"
"Wh…wh…"
"Think hard, Link. Why does the Hero fight?"
"I…"
"I SAID TELL ME WHY A HERO FIGHTS!"
Link stammered.
"A HERO DOSEN'T FIGHT FOR HIMSELF, YOU DIMWIT! A HERO FIGHTS BECAUSE HE CARES, NOT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT HIM!"
Kirk breathed heavily, then continued.
"You may fight for them, but who the hell cares what they think if they turn their backs on you? What matters is that you care enough to go out of your way to help them. That's what good is. That is what being the Hero is about. It's about caring. You turn your back now, then we're all dead, you hear me! They might not care, but you do! Think about a mother and her children! The mother cares for her family, even when the children forget to say "thank you". THAT'S strength. THAT'S caring. THAT'S what a hero is."
"What are looking at me for, then?" said Link. "You want a hero? Look elsewhere. I'm done being a hero." Link pushed Kirk away from him and laid himself back down again.
"Alright, if that's the way you wanna play, then fine. Go ahead and mope, you sorry selfish coward."
"Sir…?" said Doof.
"Link's staying here. Bloody git." Said Kirk. All of you guys, if you wanna help stop Akunem, come with me."
The Happy Mask man gave Kirk the Deku, Zora, and Goron Masks.
"This I my contribution. I myself cannot fight, but I can give you these."
"Thank you for your hospitality and help." Said Geabora. "It will not go unrewarded."
So Kirk lead the ragtag group out into the silent streets of Hyrule Castle Town, Geabora flying overhead, Leaving Link alone with Happy Mask Man.
The North Forest had changed entirely. What once was a dark and almost deadly silent place had become filled with shouting and cursing, piercing fires of hatred brurning in the hearts of the people of Hyrule as they marched through the wood, Akunem at the head. A piercing red light from their torches seemed to paint the trees with crimson light. They were heading far north. Akunem checked inside the bag he held at his side. Inside were the two items he had requested. A very small sword, almost a dagger, and the hat that Doof had been wearing. He then looked behind him. Two of the elite Gonanite Soldiers were leading Princess Zelda in chains. Akunem Smiled. At last, the third key was in his possession. All that was left now was to bring them forth to his master…