Chapter 5

'I don't think I am the one the King foresaw'

Both Odin and Xaandra went silent at Link's answer. It was clearly written on their faces that they did not understand why he thought he was not 'the foreseen' one in the King's vision.

'But Link,' Odin said, sounding almost speechless, placing a hand on the warrior's shoulder. 'Why do you think such things? Both the Great Fairy and I know of your talents and deeds in Hyrule and Termina. What is it that is making you so unsure?'

'The King's vision isn't clear, Odin' Link explained, staring into the old man's face. 'I know I have done great things in both Hyrule and Termina, but there is too little detail in the King's vision to be sure that I am the one he foresaw. I would like to be, but the details don't all match'

'What is it about that the vision that doesn't match you, Link?' Xaandra asked, lending in closer to Link. 'Why do you think that you are not the chosen one?'

The room fell suddenly silent. Over the chatter of hope and freedom from the current crises, coming from the countless masses in the chamber, the Great Fairy's voice had risen over them and silenced the crowd. She didn't mean too, but her voice was unique and every time she spoke, you were drawn to her words – so too was the crowd now. They all became mute and payed attention to the current issue.

Link didn't like the silence nor did he like the fact that all the people's eyes were on him again. He felt embarrassed to speak. Because of him and the way Odin and the Great Fairy had portrayed him as their saviour, the people had a glimmer of hope – he felt bad to say that he was not the foreseen one the King had envision. He wasn't one hundred percent sure he was wrong about the King's vision, but too him, it just didn't match.

'Well, umm…' Link muttered his voice sounding very shaky, while scratching his head. The people's gaze focused heavily on him now. He felt a shade of guilt befall him as to be the bearer of bad news, to those that had just been seen a glimmer of hope, to only then have it extinguished. He felt sorry, but if the King's vision didn't match him, what more could he do?

Link coughed slightly, and then shook his head clear of such negative thought, before finally speaking again.

'The King's vision said: He foresaw two shapes appear in a dream of darkness. One was a triangle and the other he said was a mask. He said they held power, a balance of good and evil. He then mentioned a third shape appearing in the dream – a lone figure, which the two objects became commanded under -' Link remarked, repeating the King's vision again to the listening crowd and to himself, hoping there was something he had missed that would allow him to see all the connections. Link paused for a bit to let his mind deconstruct the vision, so his words could come freely. 'The King's vision started off in darkness, where two objects then appeared: He foresaw two shapes appear in a dream of darkness. He then stated that one of the objects was a triangle and the other was a mask. That these two somehow held a balance of good and evil: One was a triangle and the other he said was a mask. He said they held power, a balance of good and evil…'

Link paused at this point in his explanation. He knew the words he had to say, but he was not sure on how to express them to the people. Link peered down at the back of his right hand that he lifted up towards his face. Link knew everyone was wondering what he was doing, but there was no way to tell them. Link wanted the mystical Triforce to appear on his hand, like it had done when he had battled Ganondorf, when he was seven in the future – a future that had now been changed. But the Triforce symbol did not appear. The back of his hand remain bare and empty.

'The Triforce of Courage is no longer mine' Link thought sadly, lowering his hand back to his side. 'When I was seven years in 'that' future, in that now non-existent timeline, I had it. I was its chosen vessel – No, my adult self was the chosen guardians of the Triforce of Courage. I no longer have it…'

Link composed himself with a few quick breaths before he continued speaking.

'The triangle and the mask the King mentioned; the two that held the balance of good and evil… I have neither of these items'

The atmosphere in the chamber changed suddenly. There was a stillness and a sudden emptiness the filled the chamber and the people present. Link had felt it – the glimmer of hope they had just seen had just been put out. The cold and darkness was creeping in.

The silence was slowly broken by the sound of tearful sobs from a few of the townswoman, which triggered the crowd to stir with talk. Link couldn't hear the words but he felt the disappointment they all now felt. Despair and anger began to mix within the room; they were all lost of hope.

'Master Link, are you totally sure?' Odin asked, sounding slightly confused and taken back. 'I saw in your memories…'

'I am sure, Odin' Link answered sourly. 'I don't have the triangle or the mask anymore. The mask, I thought, might have been a link to me in the vision – however, I gave that mask back to the Happy Mask Salesman who had originally had it before a Skull Kid had stolen it -'

'Ho-ho-ho… that he did indeed, sir - kept his promise'

The chatter in the chamber was suddenly hushed as this odd laughter filled the room. Link's head popped up upon hearing it. It was all too familiar and unique. Link had only encountered one person in his travels that held such a laughter or voice.

Link spun around, his face suddenly expressing an unexpected shock as the figure of the Happy Mask Salesman came into view, as the crowd also turned and separated before the chamber's doors, allowing everyone to see this odd man standing there.

The always cheerful dealer and explorer of rare masks stood merrily in the doorway, with his signature smiley face present. He bore the same massive sack on his back that held the countless masks he had come to collect in his journey, as well as normal camping items and supplies. He wore the same purple outfit that was lined with gold stitching, golden wrist band at the sleeves and something that looked like an ancient necklace around his neck. He had the same purple pants on and pointy brown shoes, but they were now dirty and look in need of a wash, as did the rest of him.

'Ho-ho-ho, I hope I am not intruding here' the Happy Mask Salesman said, undoing the straps on his shoulder, allowing the massive bag to slide from his shoulder. He placed the bag upon the doors and walked up to the where Link and Odin were standing. 'Ho-ho-ho, it's good to see you again young man – enjoying your adventures thus far?'

Link nodded in response, still a little shock to see the Happy Mask Salesman here in Zene.

'What are you doing here?' Link asked, his shock now replace with wonder. 'I thought you were still travelling around the world in search of new masks for your store and your own personal collection. What brings you here to Zene?'

The Happy Mask Sale man place his hands together, slightly rubbing them together, as though his hands were cold and smiled as he naturally does.

'My journey still continues, as does yours, young man' The Happy Mask Salesman said, with glee. 'I have many leads on new masks that have peak my curiosity. Some of them are said to be ancient masks, as old as history itself, while the others are mostly newly created masks. Still, no matter new or old, I am currently looking for them and excited about the findings!' he explained, placing his hands on his hips and raising his chest proudly. The excitement he spoke of was clear now in his actions. 'Also, there are masks that I have already in my possession that I am trying to research. Simply having the mask is all good, but if there is a past or history, or some unknown magic hiding within – then I wish to know! It is truly an adventure for me, and I am excited to do so'

Link was amazed at how joyous the Happy Mask Salesman was about his current task. Link wonder if the events in Termina with Majora's Mask had even worried the adventurer in the least about disturbing such ancient masks. Judging from what Link saw now of the Happy Mask Sale man, he would think not; his happy demeanour had not change.

'As for what brings me here to this place, young man – is you'

'Me?' Link asked confusion present in his voice. 'Why are you following after me?'

'Ho-ho-ho. Once I had finished all my rounds in Termina and I had decided to set out back towards Hyrule to lock some of my masks away. After the Skull Kid incident, it has showed me I need to be more careful with my cargo. Therefore, I will head back home and lock my masks away – better to be safe than sorry.' The Happy Sale man explained.

'Right…'

'Anyways, young man, as I made for the forest to head home, the very same Skull Kid and his two Fairies friends, track me down. They have a message for you. That is why I have followed you all the way here – to deliver their message'

Link's face lit up with surprise.

'A message for me…' Link repeated the words over in his mind. 'I take it you forgave the Skull Kid for what he did, then?'

'Oh yes. I got my mask back and he got his friends back – we are even, Ho-ho-ho'

Link smiled at hearing that. Though under Majora's control, the Skull Kid had caused a lot of damage to the land and made the people in Termina unhappy and fearful. Though Link could not see the Skull Kid now, he hoped he was trying to correct his wrong. The Happy Salesman had forgiven the Skull Kid – perhaps the others will too. Link smile at that, hoping it would be true.

'Do you want to hear their message, now?' The Happy Mask Salesman asked, noting Link was lost in his own thoughts.

Hearing the question, Link blinked suddenly and shook his head to retain his focus. He stared back at the Happy Mask Salesman and nodded happily.

The man smiled, like he always does; straightened his posture and began to clear his throat with a series of gargles and coughs, before replaying the message that had been lingering in his mind.

'Dearest Friend, Link… the festival is underway and so far it is great! People were a bit on edge when I come to help the celebration… I do not blame them. With Majora's Mask, I was causing nothing but trouble to their lives because of my own problems. But thankfully, with your help and Tatl's, they welcomed me back!

Oh, Anju and Kafie got married! I'm not too sure, but I think you might have heard the wedding bells and celebration as you left for the forest. They wished you could have stayed; they wanted to say thanks for all you've done.

Tatl wants me to say hello to you… hello, he-he. She tells me of your great adventure. Though some of it Tael and I find hard to believe – especially the part of rewinding time. Is that true? She is a good storyteller – I wish I had been a part of the fun… but I guess I was doing my own part to the tale.

I spoke with the Giants – they wished me to convey their thanks to you… for saving me and Termina. They wish you luck in your journey, that's what they said. Tatl, Tael and I also wish you luck – we miss you.

Come back soon so we can play!

Skull Kid, Tatl and Tael'

The Happy Mask Salesman finished conveying his message. His chest and posture lessened as he leaned forward towards Link.

'Ho-ho-ho you really made a lot of people happy. That is a great happiness'

Link's face brightened upon hearing that. The message relayed to him from the Skull Kid and his fairy friends had really made the warrior feels a whole lot better, positive and cheerful. He had wished to stay for the celebrations in Termina, but he had his own journey to continue with. Maybe another time, he would return to Termina. He had promise the Skull Kid and the fairies he would one day.

'Hmm, I recognise this man…' Odin suddenly spoke up from off side.

Both warrior and Salesman turned toward the high priest as he stepped forward.

Odin, having just spoken, was staring rather intently at the Happy Mask Salesman, as he came to stand slightly off side from Link. His eyes studied the Salesman, while his right hand stroked his sliver beard. The old man's eyes took in the Salesman's purple and gold etched clothes, the huge backpack adore with a few masks on its exterior and the almost always present smile on his face – though now it was more blank, because the Happy Mask Salesman was unsure who Odin was and why he was being studied so closely.

'Ah! I remember you now...' Odin exclaimed, as the man's face and smile registered to his mind. Odin straightened himself up and moved slightly closer to the Happy Mask Salesman. 'Yes, I can picture you clearly now. You are the collector of rare and unusual masks. You reign from Hyrule and own the Happy Mask Store in castle town, if I am not mistaken'

'Err... Yes, indeed I am' The Happy Mask Salesman said, sounding a bit bewildered by Odin's knowledge of him. 'I collect all manners of masks from around the world – ancient, unusual and even new ones. Err... May I inquire how you know me? I am sure I have not ventured to this land before now and I don't remember meeting you elsewhere before'

Odin didn't answer. Link could see that Odin didn't have the answers to the Salesman's questions. Link figured that Odin was merely drawing upon information from what he had seen in Link's memories about the Happy Mask Salesman in his encounters in Hyrule and Termina.

'I told him about you...' Link answered, drawing the attention of both Salesman and High Priest. 'Odin asked me what had brought me to Zene, and I had told him about the incident in Termina with Majora's Mask. I then told him I was heading home back to Hyrule, but I had somehow got lost and ended up here instead'

The words seem to flow easily from his mouth, even though he knew it was not the complete truth. The part of Odin asking him what had brought him to Zene was false, but the rest of it held truth. Somehow Link and Epona did manage to lose their way back to Hyrule - or perhaps, as Link was now inclined to believe, that he was drawn here to Zene by some mystic purposes.

'I see' The Happy Mask Salesman said, rubbing his chin after hearing Link's words. The Salesman appeared to be in deep thought, as though he was thinking upon something important. His face was stern and serious for a moment, as he began thinking. This was another expression that Link had not seen the Salesman use before – again, it seemed unnatural for the Happy Mask Salesman.

Suddenly, the seriousness disappeared from the Salesman's face and the natural cheerful smile began to spread across his lips. 'The realm of Zene lies between the realms of Hyrule and Termina. The Lost Woods is a vast and mighty forest that lies between these realms. And as its name states – it is easy to get lost, Ho-ho-ho. You of all people should know of its misleading, young man' the Salesman explained to him.

Link nodded. Being raised in the Kokiri Forest that bordered on the edge of the Lost Woods, Link had been taught well of the forest and its many dangers. But that knowledge had severed him well only when he was within the realm of Hyrule; as he pushed further into the forest and the unknown, it seemed to hardly help. The Lost Wood was more mystical than anyone could know.

'Well, Master Link...' Odin said, drawing the young man's attention. 'Now that the Salesman is here, it would appear all hope is not lost. You might be the one after all'

Link stared at Odin for a moment, repeating the words just spoken to him under his breath, before his mind understood what had just been said to him. Link nodded to Odin and then turned to the Happy Mask Salesman.

'Excuse me, Happy Mask Salesman; I need to ask for a loan'

'Oh, a loan?' the Salesman repeated, lending in closer to Link; his smile growing slightly wider. 'What do you wish to borrow from me?'

'I was wondering if I can borrow the...' Link paused in mid-sentence. He knew what he had to ask for, but he didn't want to say it. Link recalled the King's vision in his head quickly, especially the part of the triangle and the dark mask. The dark mask... could it be Majora's Mask?' Link thought, with a sudden chill down his spine. How can that cursed mask help me now after all the trouble I went through to stop its evil?

'I was wondering if I can borrow...' Link again paused, finding it hard to finish the sentence. Link didn't want to ask for Majora's Mask, but it would seem he had no choice. It was the only dark mask he knew of. Link sighed heavily and with a sudden gulp, gathered his composure and continued on what his question. 'Can I borrow...Majora's Mask... please?'

Link had finished his question, but as he spoke for the Majora's Mask he lowered his voice. He was uncomfortable asking for the cursed mask. Link thought maybe the Happy Mask Salesman didn't hear what he had he had asked for, since he almost mumbled it under his breath, but he was wrong – the Salesman did hear him.

The giant smile that was on the Happy Mask Salesman's began to disappear slowly as Link's request registered properly in his ears. His whole face changed till the smile dissolved and his face was again left in confusion.

'You want to borrow... Majora's Mask?' The Salesman repeated, confirming that was indeed what Link had asked him for.

Link could see that the Salesman was having trouble contemplating Link's request as much as Link didn't like saying it to him.

Link sighed heavily, rubbing the side of his neck roughly, before dropping his hand to his side. It was obvious that the Salesman was not going to fully understand Link's request just by simply asking for the mask. Link wasn't sure when the Salesman had entered the temple or if he had overheard the whole conversation that Odin and Xaandra had spoke of or even a part of it – but decided that he better explain why he required Majora's Mask. The warrior began explaining to the Happy Mask Salesman about the darkness over Zene, the supposed caused of it all and the King's vision about a figure with a mask and triangle – summing everything up as best he could. He hoped by doing this, that the Happy Mask Salesman will understand why he required Majora's Mask.

'I see' the Happy Mask Salesman said simply, straightening himself up after hearing Zene's plight. He allowed his mind to work over this new information for a moment before staring at Link, Odin and the Great Fairy. He then cast a quick glimpse at the crowded masses in the chamber. The Salesman read all their tired and worried faces – each confirming the events just described to him. He began to rub his chin slightly, before looking back at Link. His face still held a smile, but this time, it was just a small one. 'After hearing that story, I can clearly say, and see for that matter, that this town is in need of your strength, young man. Again, thrust into a journey to save the lives of the people in the realm'

Link nodded slightly at that. From one realm to another, Link was finding himself embarking on great journeys to save the lands he entered. He didn't even have a moment's rest, before something terrible happened that required him to act.

'I will aid you in your quest, as best I can, young man - However...'

The Salesman left his sentence incomplete. His face became sadden, as he turned about and headed over towards his giant backpack. He flicked open the latch to one of the many compartments and began searching through its contents.

After a few seconds of searching, the Salesman pulled his arms out of the giant backpack. In his hands, he held a folded pile of white cloth.

Link studied the cloth; the Salesman had retrieved from the backpack. It was oddly misshaped and rather small for it to be the Majora Mask. Link recalled the shape, the texture and the haunting expression of the mask's detail from his memory. None of what he remembered could even been seen through the layers of folded cloth.

The Salesman, looking down at the cloth in his hands, patted the top layer softly, exhaling rather heavily in heartache.

He turned back to Link and walked up to the warrior. His approach felt rather slow and heavy.

'I'm afraid... young warrior' the Salesman began to say, handing the cloth to Link. 'This mask is no longer of any use to you... or me'

Link took the cloth and the Salesman's sorrow filled words. As Link held the cloth in his hand, he could feel something was wrong. He could something heavy was inside the folds, however - he could feel with slight adjustments of his fingers, that the mask he knew to be inside, was no longer whole.

Link thought, at first, that he was mistaken about what he felt. That perhaps it was just the cloth that was moving under his finger, not the mask itself. But as he probed his fingers deeper into the cloth, he couldn't deny it.

Feeling this, Link positioned his left hand to hold the centre of the cloth. With his right hand, Link began to remove the layers of cloth.

His gut feeling increased with every layer he removed. Each time he opened a layer, different areas of the mask began to shift independently. Link had to spread his fingers out wider each time to try and keep the mask stable.

But he couldn't. As he reach the last layer and began removing it, to reveal the Majora's Mask, Link's fingers couldn't hold the mask together.

Falling from his hand and out of the cloth, four fragments fell to the marble floor. The sounds of the fragments hitting the floor were loud, but quickly silenced.

Link stared upon in shock.

Upon the marble floor of the temple, four fragments of the Majora's Mask laid spread out. One piece lay before his feet, two were between Link and the Salesman and the last piece laid next to Odin's walking staff.

Link stared at each fragment with equal feelings of disbelief. His mind began asking question, but he couldn't find the will to ask them. His knowledge of masks was limited, but never has he ever seen a mask that had been bestowed with such great power, break before. He didn't even think such a thing was possible.

Link knelt down and picked up the piece that had fallen at his feet.

The fragment Link now held in his hands, judging from the cracked section and the section that remain undamaged, was the right eye of Majora's Mask. Link recalled the mask when it was whole and still contained the evil spirit within. It was an odd arrangement of colour and horns. When Link first saw the Majora's Mask, it appeared rather harmless. But when it used it powers against him, he could sense the evil and the malcontent the mask harboured inside.

But now – the colours had all faded away, leaving the mask in a pale brown. The cravings remained etched in the mask's surface, showing the eye and its other markings. It was like looking at a skull from a long distanced era.

'As you can see...' The Salesman said, gaining Link's attention. 'When you cleansed the evil from the mask, you unknowing destroyed it – for the evil was all that was this mask. Without its power, the mask is nothing – just an old relic'

Link stared back at the fragment, with the Salesman's word echoing in his head. In order for Termina to be saved, the Majora's mask had to be defeated. But, he didn't know his actions would cause this mask to break. The mask with dark powers – he thought, with the Salesman's arrival, that he would have the mask the king had spoke of. But now, he was again lost.

'I guess I am still not the one the king foretold – the dark mask is gone' Link sighed heavily, letting the fragment drop from his fingers. Again the fragment bounced upon the marble floor. Its impact made a large sound in the silent chamber, but it was quickly silenced.

Link felt his guilt and unease begin to rise up from his stomach. He could feel a dark shadow of self worthlessness cloud him, even in this bright temple.

The Salesman bent down and picked up the fragment that Link let drop from his fingers. He held the fragment within his thumb and index finger, positioning it away from himself at arm's length. He stared at the fragment as though he was staring at a jewel, half expecting to see through it and see the light dancing within.

The Salesman turned the fragment about in his two fingers, examining it at every angle.

'It is indeed a saddening sight...' The Salesman sighed, stilling holding the fragment up high.

After a few second he lowered the fragment down and held it before his chest, the piece centred in his palm. He stared at it for a while longer before he cast his eyes on the other broken fragments. He studied each piece from afar rather than up-close. But his eyes studied them with the same intense focus as he did before. Though the Majora's Mask was broken and its powers completely destroyed, the Salesman knew that there was something more in this old relic than few others knew.

Again, after a mere few seconds of deep focus and examination, the Salesman's expression quickly changed. His face soften again as he present his well know smile. He strolled over to each one of the fragment and began picking them up. Each time he picked up a piece of the broken mask, he held it in his hand for a few seconds to study it again – and each time, his smiles grew bigger and brighter.

'Yes...' he said plainly, as he came to pick up the last fragment. He rotated the final piece and twirled it about his fingers, as if it were a toy. 'It is quite saddening to see such a powerful mask reduced to an old husk and broken into pieces...'

The Salesman's word made Link feel a little guilty. He was the cause of the mask's current state. But considering the situation and turmoil the Majora's Mask had caused in Termina, Link didn't feel sorry for what he had to do.

'But that is fate... as they say' The Salesman stood up as he spoke that. As he stood up, the Salesman flicked the last fragment into the air, just high enough to peak above his head. As it peaked and began to fall, he snatched it in mid-air and pocketed the fragment into his suit, with all the others fragments. He patted the pocket lightly before lifting his head slightly higher than normal; rubbing his chin in a calm manner, as though he was thinking.

'But don't be sadden, young warrior. Majora's Mask was indeed powerful and full of evil, but it is only one of many other items that exist in our world. There are thousands more, lying in wait...' The Salesman lowered his head back to normal and laid his hands behind his back. He turned slightly to his right, just enough to see Link out of the corner of eye.

The Salesman quickly studied Link's still form before speaking again.

'You might say... That perhaps the Majora's Mask wasn't the strongest dark mask in the realms...' he paused for a bit, watching Link closely... 'Perhaps there was another mask... that was more powerful than Majora?'

The Salesman words were left to linger in the chamber. No one spoke and nobody dare moved. Everyone was intently focused on the conversation in the middle of the chamber. It hooked all the townspeople curiosity to know what was going to happen.

The stillness in the chamber was suddenly broken.

Link opened his eyes and lifted his head from his chest. The cloud and feeling of self-worthlessness that had hung over him had suddenly vanished.

Link, acting on a sudden surge of energy, opened his tunic and began searching frantically within.

As his hand moved among the items contain within his tunic, Link's mind was repeating what the Salesman had just said. Link wasn't sure if what the Salesman had just shared was his own personal opinion or was he purposely hinting out a clue?

Link didn't care which it was – because whatever the purpose was, it had stirred something in Link's mind; reminding him of something he had just acquired in his final battle against Majora's Mask.

After a few second, Link's fingers slid across a group of polished, smooth wooden surfaces. Knowing well the feel of the masks he had collected at the mere touch of his fingers, Link sieged the group of mask and brought them out of his tunic. As they came forth Link grasped them with both hands and knelt down to the floor.

All eyes in the chamber watched him as he knelt down; laying a group of masks on the marble floor.

The mask that rested on top of the pile in his hands and the first to be laid down on the marble floor was the Deku mask. The sad orange eyes and open black mouth of this mask still invoked a bit of sadness in him. Link could still recalled the cold chill he had first felt when he saw his new sadden form reflected in the water's surface after chasing the Skull Kid. When he assumed the Deku form he had tried to change the face to be a bit more cheerful – but the mask and its chosen form were set for life.

The next mask Link placed upon the floor was the Goron Mask. Using just the one hand, Link lifted the mask from his right hand and slowly rests it upon the floor. His fingers fumbled the mask mid-way to the floor, as the mask somehow slipped his hold - but he was lucky enough to grasp it before it fell completely from his hand and onto the floor. As he laid the mask on the floor, Link stared into those big eyes of the Goron Mask. As he did, he could feel the proud and powerful spirit of Darmani, the Goron Hero, who tragically met his end as he tried to save The Goron Village in the Snowhead region of Termina.

'We did it, Darmani... Your village is safe now - You can rest in peace' Link thought, patting the Goron Mask's head.

The next mask Link laid upon the floor was the Zora Mask. The mask's sharp edges and smooth blue polish surface glinted in the light that was coming through into the chamber. Looking upon the Zora Mask always summoned Link to remember the sounds of the ocean's roar and of the powerful chords being played by Mikau, the Zora guitarist of the famous Zora 'Indigo-Go' band, whose spirit now resides in the mask. Link felt another touch of sadness from his mask collection – this poor soul tried to rescue the eggs of the band's singer Lulu, from the Gerudo Pirates. Noble as his action were - his rescue was not successful.

Link had tried to ease the Zora's wounds and restore his strength, but Mikau's injuries were too great and he was already too far gone to heal. Link, with a heavy heart, played the song of healing, to at least give his soul some peace.

'The eggs have been safely returned, Mikau... and Lulu got her voice back. The ocean is calm once again. Rest in peace' Link thought again, offering another pray to a fallen spirit.

Link sighed softly, and then returned his focus to the task at hand.

Link retracted his hand from the Zora's mask and went to grab the last of the transformation mask in his collection.

He watched his hand as it moved from the Zora's mask to the final mask left in his hand and...

Link pause his hand's movement just above the mask.

Having his hand hovering just inches over this mask, Link could feel a strange power emitting from within. His arm felt a pulsation of tingling sensations radiating from the mask.

'Such energy...' Link thought, as he slowly moved his hand aside. With his view unobscured, Link stared into the empty eyes of the mask. 'To emit such power and yet you are only just a mask...' Link grasped the mask with his hands and held it closely to his face. His hands and face tingled with the power flowing from the mask he held.

Link recalled Majora's Mask giving him this powerful and odd mask, saying: 'This mask is the true bad guy'

Link had questioned this many times then, just as he did now. 'Was this mask that bad?'

Link paused, allowing his mind to fill with theories about the mask he held. As he held it, Link tried to read the contents of the mask. Like Majora's Mask, Link could feel its energy simply radiating forth from its core. Majora's Mask seemed to want its power to be felt. It wanted everyone to know its true might. Link could feel a dark sensation suffocating him each time he drew near to Majora's Mask. But unlike Majora's Mask, Link couldn't feel any dark or ominous power in this mask. He couldn't feel any kind of indication that would suggest the mask to be evil or good.

'Oh!'

Link was snapped forth from his examination by the sudden gasp of the Salesman.

Link turned his head towards the Salesman, who had moved just offside to him, to see what was wrong. But as he came to lock eyes with the Salesman, the Salesman changed his composure. He had suddenly straightened his posture, turned his head to the side and coughed into his closed fist.

'Sorry...' the Salesman wheezed out, coughing three times after he spoke.

Link didn't know what the Salesman had done or why he suddenly seemed so ridged. Link shrugged his shoulder slightly and turned back to the mask in his hand.

'The Fierce Deity's Mask...' Link mumbled, as he rose to his feet. 'Are you really as bad as Majora's Mask implied you to be?'

Link lowered the mask down to his chest. His eyes stared off aimlessly as his mind filled with thoughts.

'This mask was given to me by Majora – an evil mask. It claimed that this mask was the true bad guy... do I really want to trust a mask that was more powerful than Majora?' Link thought, his eyes then being drawn to the other transformation masks that still lay upon the floor. 'Those masks were once living creatures. Though, through unforseen tragedies, they had lost their lives. With the Song of Healing, I gave them all peace and in return they allow me their bodies to complete their unfinished woes and to save Termina... but what of this mask – the Fierce Deity's Mask?'

Link lowered his head once again to stare at the rather seemly vacant expression portrayed on the mask. The mask showed a brief depiction of a man with white hair and narrowed eyes. Link understood that a mask, especially one of the transformation masks, showed extremely little of the true form he would take when he wears the masks. But it did at least offer him some small hint. Link noticed the mask had etching and colours on the forehead and a few painted about the mask's eyes. He slid his fingers over them, puzzling what they could mean.

'Perhaps these are some kind of tribal marking...indicating a rank or position... or then again, it could be some sort of war paint... a soul of a warrior'

Link sighed heavily and slowly shook his head. These thoughts were too complex to be coming out now. The mask of the Fierce Deity was a mystery and he was already trying to solve it. Link knew that in order to figure this mask out, he had to ask the more basic of questions...

'Are you a soul who has been healed, Fierce Deity? ... Or are you an entity trapped in this mask? Are you like Majora?'

'Master Link – are you alright?'

Link's thoughts shattered and his mind became quiet once more.

The warrior blinked his eyelids repeatedly, trying to regain his focus from the mask, as the high priest address him.

'Yes...Odin, I am fine' Link said, rubbing his neck. 'Just lost in my thoughts'

'I see' Odin said, smiling through his sliver beard. 'I am not sure what you were doing before or what you were looking for, but I picked up these masks for you'

Odin pushed his hands towards Link. In Odin's hands were Link's transformation masks that he had laid out on the floor. Link stared at them with a blank face, before he took them from Odin's hand.

'I didn't even notice Odin had picked them up for me' Link thought to himself, as he placed the masks back into their rightful spots within his tunic – All, but the Fierce Deity's Mask.

'Thank you, Odin.' Link bow his head and torso slightly, to show his appreciation.

'My pleasure, Master Link' Odin said, bowing his head slightly in response to Link. 'Did you sort out your seemly troubled thoughts?'

'Not really...' Link sighed, as he stared down at the mask in his hand.

He stared at the mask of the Fierce Deity in his grasp. His mind was quick to fill with worry about this 'dark' mask. Could he really control the spirit inside? Would it even want to help?

Link again sighed in dismay, but at the same time, he felt a bit of hope rise up from inside.

'Well... at least I got the dark mask from the king's vision...'

With that, Link turned his attention back to Odin, a slight smile appearing on the warrior face.

Link grasped the mask in both hand and raised it up to the high priest.

'Here it is, Odin!' Link exclaimed, 'This is a mask that is said to have dark powers. Perhaps I am the one from the king's vision after all!'

Odin didn't respond to Link's happy new.

Odin's usual optimistic and cheerful expression had drained slightly from his face. He stared at the Fierce Deity's mask with some shock and disbelief painted upon his face. His mouth hung slightly ajar and his eyes darted over every inch of the mask – as though he was making sure what he saw was no illusion.

Noticing the absent of a response from Odin, Link lowered the mask down to his chest.

'Is everything alright, Odin?' Link asked.

Odin had to blink and cough, before his composure had returned to him.

'Oh, it's nothing, Master Link' Odin said, turning his torso slightly offside and rubbing his eyes. 'Just old age...'

Link knew he wasn't being honest.

Link had seen the shock expression Odin had on his face – even if he just caught a small glimpse of that reaction. He even noticed it on the Happy Mask Salesman's face, before he had turned away. Both him and Odin knew something about this mask... but what?

Link eyed Odin and the Happy Mask Salesman quickly. Both men were still slightly turned away from Link, but both of them held their eyes upon the mask Link held in his hands.

Link studied both men and their odd stances, briefly, before he too turned to look at the Fierce Deity's mask.

'What has gotten them so ridged?' Link asked himself, staring heavily at the mask. 'Do they know something about this mask? Perhaps they know the history behind it...'

'So, this is the dark mask the king foresaw, then?' Odin suddenly questioned, as he approach Link.

Link held the mask at chest level as the high priest approached. Link studied Odin closely, as the high priest came to stand directly in front of the warrior, his head bowed and his eyes fixed upon the mask.

Odin's composure had changed. When he first saw the mask, he was surprised and taken back by it. But now, he acted as though he knew nothing, and that this mask was something new to him. Link wasn't sure what he or the Happy Mask Salesman was playing at, but decided to let it slide for the moment.

'How interesting...' Odin remark, lifting his gaze from the mask to Link's face.

Again, Odin remained silent for a time. He held his eyes upon Link, and Link did the same to him. Both of them were studying each other. They were looking for answers in their eyes, or trying to sum up their character. Link had a feeling Odin was hiding something, but he could not tell what. Odin's eyes were old and filled with wisdom, but he couldn't extract anything from the high priest. Whatever secret the high priest and the Happy Mask Salesman shared, he would have to wait for one of them to reveal it.

After a few second, Odin began to smile. It wasn't a normal smile, but rather a cheerful smile. He straightened up posture and with a happy laugh, he grasp Link's hands. He shook them as though he was congratulation him.

'At last, my boy... you ARE the one we seek - The one who will end this horrible plight on our realm! You will bring back the light'

Odin's smile brightened more as those words passed his lips.

Link could only smile half heartedly.

Though he had now found the 'dark mask' that the king had foreseen, Link was still unsure of the 'golden triangle'. Link could recall every item he had ever collected in his life – none were triangular in shape or entirely golden. However, he knew instantly what the king's vision about the 'golden triangle' was refereeing too. He had never seen the triangle himself, or laid hands upon – it was simply something that was bestowed upon him, without knowledge of it.

The Triforce of Courage, the golden triangle, rested inside of him.

He didn't even realise he had it, until Ganondorf had revealed that both he and Zelda were the chosen vessels of the scared Triangles.

Link didn't understand how the Triforce of Courage got inside of him, but he only knew that it was there.

'Or at least... it was there' Link thought, casting his eyes to the floor. 'Having returned the Master Sword back into the pedestal of time and restoring the natural flow of time, then that would mean the Triforce would still be resting in the Scared Realm... shouldn't it?'

'Your thoughts trouble you again, Master Link?' Odin queried, softly.

Hearing the old priest voice, Link redirected his eyes back at Odin. Instead of answering, Link smiled weakly and nodded slightly.

'You're worried about the Golden Triangle – that, just like the dark mask, you no longer posses it – am I right?'

Again, Link responded with a simple nod. He wished he could have answered Odin properly, but because he was unsure of his own answer, he dare not say it.

Though Link had travel through the streams of time many times in his life, he was still unclear to all of the rules and effect his trips from past to future and back, really held. Link became fully aware of the most important rule in his first few trips between the future and past timelines - that his actions in the past could greatly alter the future in many unforeseen ways.

However, he was unsure if that rule could apply to travelling back into the past. He had somehow acquired the Triforce of Courage in the future, but... did that still mean he had it now?

'I am not sure, Odin...' Link muttered, casting his eyes again to the floor. 'You've seen my memories, Odin. Though I can't be sure you saw all of them, but perhaps you have seen the ones that count. Is there anything to your knowledge that can prove that the scared Triangle still resides in me?'

Odin didn't answer.

Fixing his gaze back onto Odin, he saw that the high priest had bowed his head and closed his eyes. Link could hear the mumbling of words under Odin's silver beard. Link couldn't understand what Odin was say, but figured the old man was simply speaking his thoughts.

After a few seconds, Odin reopened his eyes and lifted his head. Link could tell by the blank expression that Odin had nothing to aid him.

'Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of such things' Odin said dryly. 'Time travel is extremely rare, and so are the effects. It is a rare occurrence and sadly, not a well documented one. By my knowledge and from what I have seen in your mind, you are the first to have done so...'

Link sighed heavily upon hearing that. He knew Odin would say such things, but it was always harder when he heard them spoken aloud. Link hung his head in defeat.

'Then what am I to do?' Link asked, weakly. 'Can I still be the one the King foresaw without the Triangle?'

The whole chamber became still in silence. Link's questions lingered through the chamber, but no one knew how to answer them. The sound of the water from the Fairy fountain was the only noise to be heard.

'Perhaps... there is a way...'

Link lifted his head suddenly upon hearing Odin speak. Link could see that Odin was contemplating something with his mind. Judging from the facial expression Odin was showing, Link could see that whatever the idea was, it gave rise to hope and doubt. There was a small smile appearing on Odin's lips, but because he was unsure of his own idea, he could not express in it full.

'Odin, what have you thought of?' Xaandra's asked, as she floated close to the pair. She hovered slightly higher than both Link and Odin. She sat within the air with her legs folded, her hands gripping the shins of her legs and her arms locked straight.

Odin turned to her and again smiled weakly. He scratched his head for a moment to think his idea over one more time, before he spoke his thoughts.

'This dilemma is troubling... but perhaps there is a way we can answer your questions, Master Link, and our own' Odin exclaim, his voice sounding more confident as his words fell from his lips. 'Though the King's vision is what we have relied on to find the 'chosen one', there is one more thing that could possibly give us the answers we seek!'

Upon hearing that, the chamber erupted with chatter. The silence that had been casted upon the people was broken and everyone was alive with words.

Link's eyes shifted among the now chattering masses of the townspeople in the chamber. He watched everyone's changing facial expressions and moving mouths, trying to read their words. He even tried to tune his ears to hear the conversations taking place. It was hard, with all the townspeople talking at once, but he managed to hear a few words being muttered.

From what he could hear and see, there was a great deal of doubt being spread about the chamber. The townspeople obviously knew what Odin was suggesting, and it sounded and seemed like this idea he had, has not been very fruitful in the past. There were some people who shared the same hope that Odin must have seen, to have even suggested the idea, but they too were a bit sceptical about it.

'I wonder what it is Odin is suggesting...' Link thought, as he continued to watch and read the crowd. The overall mood and topic remained the same. 'They seem to know what this idea is already, and from the sense of things, this idea doesn't to be held in high regards...'

Link turned to Odin, who was still smiling.

'Odin must believe very highly that this idea of his will work... the townspeople sure don't share his belief...'

Odin allowed the townspeople to continue their conversation for a bit longer, before raising his hands into the air. His action was quickly noticed. The townspeople saw his hands held high, and soon they all fell quiet. Their mouths had all been silenced at once.

Odin held his pose and their gaze for a moment. They all watched him intently, awaiting his words.

After a few seconds, Odin lowered his hands back to his side.

'I have heard your doubts, good people, and I can understand them...' he exclaimed, slowly spinning about to face all of the townspeople. 'But believe me when I say, I believe this boy could be the one we seek!'

'But he is just a child!' came a response from within the crowd.

The chamber was quick to come alive again.

'He is a boy!'

'He is not a warrior!'

'How can you put so much responsibility onto such a young soul?!'