"…n…ng…eop…irit…od…ful…"

"zzzz"

"…vil…ing…ower…troy…ever…ath…"

"zzzzzzzzzzzz"

"…ar…ued…seem…etern…uch blo…ed…"

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"

"…ink?...Lin…?...LINK!"

"Wah!"

Link sat up abruptly from his unexpected session of sawing logs. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he addressed the one who called his name.

"Uh, y-yeah grandpa Niko?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

Niko sighed. "I can't believe this! You fell asleep during my magnum opus. Again!"

Oh yeah, Niko was showing me one of his presentations… thought a still-drowsy Link.

Link was getting ready for the day when Niko sprang up and insisted that Link hear his recently finished "blasterpiece". Though Link didn't fully understand what a blasterpiece was, he acquiesced in order to please his roommate. Unfortunately, listening to one of Niko's presentations was like putting your head under a steam press. The man could talk the ears off a Snurgle and then proceed to ramble at them when they were down.

Niko was a short, incredibly ancient man who had a certain creative talent for storytelling. He wasn't really Link's grandfather, but since he practically raised the boy he started asking to be called "grandpa". Niko had a slight hunch to his back due to his advanced age and was forced to use a walking stick to get around. He claimed that he was once a member of the fiercest pirate crew the Great Sea had ever set afloat, and judging by his garb of weathered work jeans and sun-faded striped shirt, this was… possibly true. No one could ever know with Niko. Truth or not, he often spoke fondly of the days of sailing, and they were often the subjects for his presentations. This particular presentation was different though, it was called…what was it? Something about spirits…or demons…Link couldn't remember…

"Link? Are you listening to me at all?" Niko inquired.

"Er, sort of…" Link replied with half-lidded eyes.

"All right, all right, I get the hint. Sorry for boring you. But you really should pay more attention, this story might be important to you someday. In fact, I remember a time when—"

Another one of Niko's long-winded stories was (thankfully) interrupted by the opening of the door. The dark-skinned man who walked inside did not look happy.

"Ah! Hello Alfonzo! Have you come to see your young protégé?"

Alfonzo was a tall, burly man who didn't take nonsense from anybody. He was wearing his engineer uniform (which was no surprise; he always wore his uniform, even when he wasn't working). A red hand-me-down bandana, imprinted with a white dove, was tied to his head. A scar of unknown origin went partway across his cheek.

"Good day Niko, and yes, I am. Link! Why are you still here? Oh for goodness sake, wipe that sleep from your eyes!"

Growling, he up picked Link with both hands and shook him abrasively. "WAKE UP!"

"AaAhHh! OKAY! I'M UP! I'M UP!"

"Good." Alfonzo dropped his shaken student. "Now come, we have to get going for our audience with the princess. You didn't forget what day it is did you?" he asked with an edge in his voice.

"O-of course not! I've been preparing for this for a long time! Today's the day I graduate and become an official engineer." Link answered with pride.

Alfonzo nodded. "I'm glad you remembered. I am heading to the station now, so meet me there in a few minutes. See you later Niko." He walked out, purposely leaving the door open behind him.

Link sighed. He hated displeasing his mentor. Alfonzo may have been a tough teacher, but he was also a very good one. Link saw him as an uncle.

"Hmhmhm!" Niko laughed. "Well well! Why didn't you say that it was your graduation day? I wouldn't have held you up like that if I had known. After all, it is quite the honor and you mustn't be late! Go on now!"

Link nodded and made a move for the doorway. Just as he was exiting, Niko called out to him again, "One second, Link!"

Link turned around. "Sorry about that. This old head of mine isn't what it used to be." Niko shuffled through a drawer and pulled something out. "I want you to take this."

A book bound with fine leather with an ornately patterned spine was thrust into Link's hands. It looked brand new.

"Thanks Niko. But uh—" Link flipped through some of the pages, "The pages are blank. What is it?"

Niko was quick to answer, "This is a Stamp Book. For every place you visit you are meant to blot something on each page, like a stamp. You see, the reason why I want you to takes this is because…well…"

Niko gave a deep sigh and closed his eyes.

"…I'm pretty old, and I'm not getting any younger. I can't travel around like I used to in my days of salty seafaring." Niko looked up. "I want you to take this Stamp Book and mark a page for each place you visit. And then I want you to come back, show me a full book, share your adventures, and tell me a story for a change. Do this old coot one last favor, eh?"

Link was stunned. He never really considered how old Niko really was. It was just a fact that never really came to his attention. It was obvious that no matter how old Niko was, his spark for adventure had never waned. This really meant a lot to him…

"Of course I'll do that grandpa Niko. I'll do all of those things. And when you hear my stories, you'll feel like you were right there with me!"

Niko smiled. "That's the best I could ever hope for. Thank you Link. Now get going! You have to get your certificate!"

Link smiled, and then left the house, closing the door behind him. Niko chuckled to himself. "I expect great things from you, my boy. And if you're anything like Swabbie was, I won't be disappointed…"