Chapter 3
Pure. Pure skin, pure eyes, pure mouth, pure radiant hair. Link had never seen a face as pure as this girl's. The beauty was indescribable, yet not overwhelming. It was a face one could immediately fall in love with in a single glance. Through the searing pain of his palm, he felt another glow in his heart which overwhelmed the pain.
"Come, Link. You must be quick." Her voice of mercury poured over him. Link nodded and followed the girl through the midnight haze.
Shadows were surrounding the couple in peaceful silence, cast by the glowing fires of the newly installed street lamps. Link was not sure why but the girl stayed in the shadows, despite the lurking iniquity within the darkness. Why is it safety is found within shadows?
They weaved themselves through buildings, alleyways, small underground corridors, until they found themselves near the ever looming castle. Link looked up at the fortress walls as the girl glided to a small door imbedded in the stone.
"Link, through here… quickly, they're watching." The last few words caught Link. Who's watching? Why are they hiding? Why are they by the castle? So many unanswered questions ran through his head for less then a split second before he ran up to door the girl was holding open.
They walked inside the dark room, the room smelled old, not new. It was slightly musty and stuffy and a small amount of dust could be felt floating around in the air. Link could hardly see in it at all with the dim moonlight sifting through the open door, let alone when the girl closed the door. As his eyes adjusted he could see a thin glow from the other side of the room in a square shape which he recognized as another door.
"Link…" she said, calling him from the other door. "I know this is sudden and I know I am going to be asking a lot but I need you to do this for me. No, not just me, for Hyrule. You… unknowingly, have been chosen. I am not sure why but the gods chose you to be courage. The glow on your hand is part of a sacred object called the Triforce. You have courage, I was blessed with wisdom, and power has yet to be revealed to me but I constantly feel its presence.
"In dreams you were revealed to me as the possessor of courage. I was told in the dream to seek you and together we must meet the King. I am not sure what this concerns but I know it is best to follow the messages of dreams. I was also told that everyone in the castle, including the King and Queen, have been consumed by a dark power. I am again, not aware of what these powers are but, alas, if you or I are seen together in the castle we will be killed immediately and our Triforce extracted. But we must not disobey the orders of dreams. We must meet the King.
"You must enter this hallway outside this door and make your way to the King. He is in the throne room on the first floor of the castle. If you are seen, you must kill the soldier, or anyone, before they alert anyone else. And yes, I mean anyone. All the people in the castle have been possessed – women, children, soldiers – and if you are seen they will immediately alert the guards and we will not be able to escape.
"I know I am pushing you into something of which you are not aware but I have no choice. This could be a matter of life or death and not just for us but for all of our world. I will follow you but do not worry about me, I can keep myself safe." She pushed the sword and the shield towards Link's chest. "Use these as best you can. I know you are but a metalsmith but do not think I am unaware of your secret practice with the sword and shield. You are more capable then you think, use it to your advantage."
Link did not understand. Triforce? Dreams? Hero? He had heard of the Triforce, of course, but it had always been sort of a myth – A bedtime story for children concerning the creation of Hyrule. But he actually possessed a piece of it? And what is this of dreams? How could this girl, without ever meeting him, have dreams about him? How could she know that he is a "hero?" He did not know what to do.
But as he stood wondering, the girls eyes could be felt piercing his soul. He knew, even with all these questions, that she was right. He felt it within him the soft glow of a golden power – The soft glow of courage. He felt it grow warmer as he slowly pushed the door open feeling the slight heat of firelight stroke his forearm.