A new friend

I'm soooooo sorry for uploading this chapter so late! Its just that all my teachers decided to dump loads after loads of work and projects on me, and missing days of school doesn't help. Without further ado, here's the next chapter after that suspenseful cliffhanger :3

"Uuugh... Wha..?"

My mind slowly faded into consciousness, and I was aware of shrieks of pain and fatigue in my foot and head, mainly. I'm not sure of where I am anyway, but it feels so familiar... I was lying on something comfy, and scents that are on the tip of my tongue wafted through the room, but my eyes refused to open.

With all my willpower, I made then crack a peek, and the first thing I saw to my left was a table. My table. I was home.

But how?

My eyes continued to scan the room, finding everything that belonged to me. The tree stumps I use as chairs, my favorite books, where I left them, the precious mask my ancestors passed down through the generations, a purple bunny- wait what?

"AAAH!" Flump. Fell outta bed.

"Oooooh, you're waking up. Good, I was starting to get a little worried there, buddy," I heard a peculiar voice sigh.

"The name's Ravio. Hey, you listening to me? What, the rug tastes really good or something?" He asks as I lay dazed on the floor. Well excuse me for a stranger breaking into my house. While I'm injured, in fact! I tilted my head up a bit to get a glimpse of him. His outfit makes him look like a foreigner; a purple robe with a matching hood that resembles a bunny, with a long blue and black scarf that wraps around his neck once and falls down to his ankles, as I can clearly tell down here. Looking a bit more upwards, I saw a weird bird...thing, which doesn't look like any birds I've seen before.

"I'm a traveling merchant, and I've found you in the Sanctuary, passed out, alone. Strange, if you ask me." Well that explains the robes. I got up on stumbling legs. "It looked like you needed a pal, so I took the liberty of lugging you here to this vacant house. Seems like the perfect place for you to shake off the snores."

"Thanks, Ravio, but actually, this is my house. It's not empty! All of my things are here," I told him. Ravio looked around the house, and made a confused gesture. "Really? Seems kinda empty-ish to me." "Well excuse me for being poor!"

Ravio scratched the back of his head and changed the subject. "Wait, so tell me... what happened to you, buddy?"

I told him all about the events of Seres and Yuga at the Sanctuary, and how she turned into a painting. After I finished, Ravio and his weird bird pet looked like a mirror, side by side; shocked from what I can tell. "WHAT?! You're saying a strange man turned that girl into a painting?!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "Y-yep..." I muttered, trying to get my ears to function after that loud outburst. "So, you got done in trying to stop him, huh buddy... That makes you a hero, buddy! A real, live, genuine hero!" Ravio jumped up and down like a little kid. He kinda reminds me of me, when I was like, 7.

"Wait, but why are you standing around, talking to me then?! Go! You need to report this to the castle!" Ravio ordered. "Right! I'll be right back!" quickly dashing to the threshold, Ravio stopped me once again. "Wait a minute! To tell you the truth... I've been looking for a place to stay. It's been hard to find some where good...so uh... this is awkward..." He sheepishly stumbled out, scratching his head. "Hey, you can stay here for as long as you want. Think of it as payback for saving my life!" I said.

"Really?! Thanks a million! Finally, no more sleeping in the wild. Tough out there, you know?" Ravio and his bird danced in sync while thanking me. It's a bit awkward... "Oh! Here, take this. I can't pay rent yet, but this is something, at least." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bracelet.

Uuuh... I'm not into jewelry, but to be nice, I accepted it. It felt like it was made of leather, but looked like metal. It looks so bad that it might be worthless. Weird. There's an empty socket that looks like something fits inside of it. "I know it looks like a hunk of junk, but it's older than old. A real treasure, that thing!" Ravio pointed out, as if he read my mind.

"Umm... It smells weird. You sure it isn't moldy or anything?" I asked, when the stench hit me in the nose. I almost threw up then and there. "What?! Noo! That's the smell of history, buddy! Musty leather! Moldy aromas! The rich fragrance of a relic!" He rattled on, trying to convince me to keep it. "But, I do admit it smells like a wet dog, but you gotta keep it! Its a gift. So the least you can do is wear it, buddy! Now, pronto, buddy. To the castle! Hurry!" Ravio rushed me out without another word. "Bye now! See you later, Mr. Hero!"

Outside once again, I spun the weather vane by my house and made my way to Hyrule castle. I wasted no time, running north, across the bridge, and through the gates. Soldiers were in the field training their butts off, maybe they've heard what happened in the Sanctuary, but I don't want to be wrong. I ran through to the doors, where one Hyrule soldier stopped me before I could burst through.

"Whoa, hold your horses there! Not just anyone gets into the palace. State your business!" the soldier ordered. "...Captain...Seres... turn to...painting...Zelda...Warn..." I try to say, but my panting took over my voice. I put my hands on my knees before I fell down. "Whoa whoa whoa... Are you saying the captain and Seres turned into a painting, and Princess Zelda needs to know?" the soldier read me like a book. I nodded, not being able to speak anymore. "...Waa-ha-ha! Look, I get you want to see the princess, but that's a real WHOPPER of a story there!" He laughed right in my face. Come on! I'm not fooling! That's would I would say... before someone slowly emerged from the castle.

"My word! What in Hyrule is all the shouting about, guard?" Impa asked irritably, as she fully came out from the castle. "I'm sorry, Lady Impa! But this lad here has a message for Princess Zelda, and it's as far as far fetched gets! "Is that so? Then what is this message?" Impa turned to face me as I fully explained the story, since I've caught my breath a bit. "Indeed? Seres was transformed into a painting? But that's... Well, frankly it's beyond belief." I was about to scream when she continued. "Then again, strange paintings are popping up all over the castle. There may be something to all this. Hmm... I wonder. Quickly, come with me. You've got to tell Princess Zelda what you saw at the Sanctuary."

The soldier looked appalled that Impa would take me to her, but of course, he doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. "You're taking this boy at his word, Lady Impa?!" But without even a word, she headed inside. Sticking my tongue out at the shocked soldier, I went inside.

I've never thought I'd see the inside of the castle until I was much older, but it is magnificent. Red, red, red everywhere. Impa was standing in the middle of the foyer surrounded by paintings and a central door, and stairways to even more doors. "Wait here while I announce you to the princess. Feel free to take a close look at our gallery here." Impa commanded, then walked past me and up a stairway. I've decided to look at the paintings, after all. In front of each painting is a diamond symbol, that increases in number from left to right, then in the middle is the highest number. Guess I read these in order. I start with the first one.

Painting 1: The Golden Triforce. This gift from the gods, Hyrule's greatest treasure, will grant the wish of any mortal who touches it. The Triforce once stoked greed in the hearts of men. A legendary war was fought to keep it out of evil hands.

Painting 2: The Sealed Triforce. To end the war for the Triforce, the royal family decided to hide it in the Sacred Realm. They summoned the Seven Sages of legend, who used their power to seal the Triforce away.

Painting 3: The Demon King. The Demon King Ganon was once just a thief- until the man broke into the Sacred Realm. There he stole the Triforce and transformed himself. Then he took his evil campaign back to Hyrule.

Painting 4: A Hero Awakens. A hero of legend arose from humble beginnings, awoken to his purpose by a princess of Hyrule. With the Master Sword, the blade of evil's bane, he sought the descendants of the Seven Sages. Together they defeated the Demon King Ganon – and sealed him away in darkness. ...The thing that startles me in this one is that the hero of Hyrule looks like me...

Painting 5: The Triforce, split apart. The Triforce was split into 3 pieces, separated forever. One piece remains with the royal family. Another piece has fallen into the hands of Ganon, sealed away with him. The third piece of the Triforce has vanished, though legend says it is hidden in the spirit of a true hero. It slumbers now somewhere in Hyrule – waiting for the time when the world needs a new hero.

Right as I finished the sentence of that last painting, Impa arrived on the floor above me. "Princess Zelda is ready to see you now. Right this way, please."

I walked up the stairs to the left, and entered the golden archway to Zelda's chamber. As I walk through to her room, my heart couldn't prepare me for what happens next.

Impa was already at her right-hand side, with Zelda's back turned. When she heard my footsteps, she turned around, and stared at me with sapphire-blue eyes. Beautiful blonde hair. A gold headband adorned her face, as if it couldn't even prettier. It took me a while to focus again when she spoke to me with her heavenly voice.

"I bid you fondest welcome to Hyrule Castle, stranger. I hear you have something to- wait...it's you!" Zelda suddenly stopped, and gazed right at me. It's kinda uncomfortable... letting the most powerful person in the country just stop and stare at you. "...Forgive me, but might I ask your name?"

"Oh! Uh.. L-Link. My name's Link." I stuttered out. Ugh! Come on, focus! "Ah, while your name is unfamiliar to me, Link... I've seen your face in my dreams of late. For I've dreamt of a hero locked in battle with a terrible evil." Exactly the same as mine...

"What, you've had the same dream, too?" the Princess asked suddenly. Oops. I haven't realized I said that out loud. "Yes, I have, Princess." Zelda's face beamed. "Surely fate has sent you here! Please then, tell me what you saw at the Sanctuary."

As I explained the events once again, Zelda's face lost her smile. "Oh my... I sense a terrible darkness behind these events..." She turned to Impa. "Oh, Impa, I fear that evil is awakening once more in our fair land..." Impa thought for a moment and came to a conclusion. "Fret not, Princess. I'd advise that we consult Sahasrahla for help. The elder's knowledge of the past... Well, it's more than vast." Zelda's face slowly grew back to a cheery state. "Yes, of course. That's just where to start. So, Link..." She turned to face me again, which almost knocked me to my knees. "Would you please find Sahasrahla? The elder should be at home in Kakariko Village. I am certain he will be able to help."

"You can count on me, Princess. Consider it done." Zelda once again smiled beautifully. "Now, there's just one more thing. I would like to send you off with my most treasured possession. It's a rather special charm." When she finished saying that, Impa looked shocked. "Are you sure about this, Princess? The royal family has kept that safe for untold generations!" Zelda, without a shred of doubt in her voice, said, "I'm quite sure, Lady Impa. This has been in my safekeeping since the day I was born. Now I will entrust it to you. Please take good care of this charm. You will have need of it soon, Link."

Zelda walked up to me and put a small green ball on a string in my hands. The pendant of courage. "Please, tell Sahasrahla everything that you saw."

"I won't let you down, Princess." I said as I walked down the stairs, out of her chambers, out of her gaze.

I won't let you down.