Part 2

The Goddesses

Chapter 6

"Hero no longer with blade by his side,

May ageless quest give him truth."

Dreams. They are life's one universal truth. Within dreams can be found joy, peace, or happiness. Dreams can imbue you with rage, fear, or sorrow. They provide rest for the weary, and solitude for the oppressed. It connects all living things, for even the richest man might dream with the most impoverished man as they lay their heads down to sleep. It matters little the wishes of the dreamer, those who embark on that heavenly journey. Dreams are a gift from Nayru herself; it is through her beautiful, omnipotent wisdom that humankind can be healed in spirit. Healed in dreams.

One can even discover contentment in the darkest of times within Nayru's dream. For while the world of the flesh is barred to those who've passed beyond this life, the world of dreams is a safe haven, a refuge. Love, the strongest and deepest of human emotions, lights the path for the forgotten, reuniting the lost and bringing hope to the broken.

Link awoke, sitting up with a gasp. Groaning, he put a hand to his head; a painful throbbing tore at his brain. It felt like his skull was broken. His fingers traveled around his hairline, curiously feeling at coarse cloth. Someone had wrapped a bandage around his head. His finger's returned from their journey with a dark red film. Have I been bleeding?

Slowly, he turned his head and surveyed his surroundings. He had certainly never been here before. The blanket he found himself on was like an island, set apart from the world, yet strangely, the dense trees and lush green grass seemed comfortingly familiar. Around him was a forest, beautiful to all his senses. The sun sifted through the top layer of branches, casting a lustrous yellow-green hue upon the clearing he was laying in. Sounds of musical birds filled the air in a symphonic arrangement of life. With every breath, Link imagined that he could taste the intoxicating aroma of the sap clinging to tree bark, its sweet smell casting a soothing atmosphere over the woods. Underneath the blanket he found himself on top of was tall, undisturbed grass that provided a luxurious mattress for him to lie upon.

Looking around more closely, he saw that at one end of the clearing there stood a colossal tree. Its long sturdy branches hugged the tree line, protecting the clearing from the invading underbrush. Undeniably, it was the guardian of the forest. Strangely enough, the longer that Link stared at the enormous trunk, the more he began to imagine a face taking shape from the texture of the bark.

Tearing his eyes away from the strange sight, Link gazed around the rest of the clearing. The far side opened up into a quiet stream. The sparkling clear water rushed silently over polished rocks, creating no more sound than that of an eagle alighting on a blossoming branch.

Curious, Link started to push himself off of the ground. His head throbbed painfully, and Link slowed down his pace, taking his time getting to his feet. Slowly, he began the trek across the grassy meadow. His pace matched that of a turtle; inch by inch, foot by foot Link made his way to the stream. Thankfully, Link found that the more he walked, the less his head hurt. By the time he had reached the brook, he felt somewhat well again. With a sigh, Link leaned up against a nearby tree, soaking in the sights and sounds of the flowing water before him. The quiet rush of the stream slowly carried his headache away, and with it, his suspicions about where he found himself. Without a doubt, it was one of the most beautiful and nostalgic things Link had ever seen. I wish Malon could see this.

As if spurred on by that single thought, all of the memories that he had been unconsciously suppressing rushed back. His brother. The monster. Malon.

Link fell to his knees; it was too much to bear. Grasping at his hair, he let a keening wail escape his lips. Malon! he moaned silently. How can this be real? Sobbing, he knelt on the grass for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, he came to himself. Malon, I promise I will find a way to get you back. The tears were tempered with concern, and the anger replaced with resolve. Standing up, he searched the sky, hoping to find some sort of building that he could make his way toward. He didn't see anything other than more trees. Where am I? He felt again at the bandage around his head. And who brought me here?

"Although time may pass and even the names of whole countries may change, the magic imbued within the forest remains unscathed." Link jumped, the woman's voice was coming from right above him. Squinting, Link gazed into the foliage above. On the branch above his head, sitting against the tree, was the outline of a woman. Her black cape swirled in a gust of wind, blending into the billowing leaves behind her. Dressed in all dark colors, she hid within the shadow of the tree trunk, making it hard to get a good look at her.

"The stream seems to wash away your troubles, does it not?" she said. Silent as the night that she would so easily blend into, the figure jumped down beside Link, cloak fluttering behind her. Now that she was out of the shadow, Link could see what she really looked like. Her dark clothes were all tight to her refined body, and seemed well developed for quick movement. Every aspect of her posture was spring loaded, ready to explode in a heartbeat. On the backside of her hands she wore tough leather guards, and her fingers, wrists, and feet were wrapped in white cloth. The long black cloak continued over her head in a hood while wisps of long dark hair covered her brow, and a dark blue veil concealed the bottom half of her face. Her striking blue eyes matched Link's own, and she seemed to be looking through him at what lay underneath. It was as if she could see his troubled soul.

"I am sorry," was all she said. Link's heart throbbed painfully, but he had run out of tears to cry.

"Who are you?" Link asked finally. He was tired of surprises.

"I am Sheik, last of the ancient tribe of Sheika, and guardian of Princess Zelda," she replied. Link was caught completely off guard, his mouth worked, but it took a few seconds for him to manage any words.

"Princess Zelda?" he murmured, not believing his ears. "As in The Legend of Zelda?" His mind was reeling. What's going on?

Sheik lowered her voice and took a step closer. "Link, it's no legend. The Princess, the Hero of Time, and the Demon. The Cycle of Eternity is real."

Link tried to laugh, but couldn't. The last few days seemed so unreal; he didn't know what to believe any more. "How…" he managed after a moment, unsure of what to say.

"The Cycle has been dormant for many years," her voice took on a saddened tone. "Much has changed." For a moment she was silent, staring quietly off at something that only she could see. Link was glad for the respite; he wasn't sure what to make of all this.

"Why should I believe you?" he asked after a minute. What she was saying seemed so farfetched; it was impossible.

"Why shouldn't you?" Sheik replied. "The sands of time are harsh; truth ages and ages until it is no more than a myth, which, in turn, becomes mere legend, surviving on the wind's breath." She paused, pensive. "But every legend was once truth."

Link was stunned. "Then that…creature…" Link finally asked, not sure how to describe the monster that had taken on his guise and killed his brother.

Sheik's face darkened. "What you saw is an abomination, one of Ganon's strongest minion's," she explained. "It was a man in what was once known as ancient Hyrule. He became mesmerized by dark magic and tried to establish dominion of the Sacred Realm. In anger, the Goddesses sealed away both him and his evil power to the realm of twilight. Now he is merely a shadow, existing only in that nothingness between light and dark, between day and night." Sheik scowled. "That is why you could not pierce him. No normal blade can touch that expanse."

Link closed his eyes, taking a minute to go over all this new information. I don't have any other choice than to believe her, he realized. After a moment, he voiced another question. "Where are we? How did I get here?"

Sheik's eyes grew sad. "After she realized that the shadow beast had been set loose, the Princess sent me to guard you and keep you safe…but I was too late. By the time I found you, you were almost dead. I used my power to heal most of your wounds and bring you back here." Sheik looked around blissfully. "This used to be the home of the forest temple, a place so beautiful that you could feel the magic flowing through the land." She took a deep breath, inhaling the rich air. "In a way I guess it still is." After a moment she added, "You will be safe here."

Slowly, Link shook his head. "No, I need to go after Malon."

Sheik's eyebrows rose into her dark hair. "You're willing to forfeit the safety of this grove and confront the shadow in order to save her?" she asked. "He's almost killed you once."

"I don't care," Link said obstinately. "I don't care if the legend is true; I don't care if I can't win; I don't care if he kills me!" He was yelling now. "Malon is the only family I have left. If I lose her…I'll lose myself." He took a deep breath. "I'll do anything to save her."

A sly smile slowly worked its way onto the mysterious woman's face. "There is a sword—" she began.

"But you said—"

Sheik shook her head. "This is no ordinary sword. It is imbued with the powers of the Goddesses themselves, forged by Din at the creation of the world. Only it can pierce the twilight." Something tugged at Link's memory, but he brushed it aside.

"Where can I find it?" Link asked.

"The sword's sacred resting place is the Temple of Time. I can tell you how to get there, but you must be sure that you can face what lies ahead," Sheik's voice was solemn. Link opened his mouth to reply, but Sheik continued over him. "Before you answer, you must understand that this journey may not be what you expect, and you will not find yourself returning the same person as you leave," Sheik intoned forebodingly. "If you return at all."

"I don't care what happens to me," Link replied. "I promised myself that I would get Malon back. I will save her."

The quiet stream gushed past, and the birds chirped anew. "Fraternity dear…" Sheik whispered to herself, smiling through her veil.

Link grunted as he slid across yet another wet rock. The Sheika's directions had been simple, follow the stream, but Link was beginning to wonder if he had misunderstood. He had been walking for hours now, and hadn't found any signs of people at all, let alone any temple. He sighed, there's nowhere to go but forward.

His thoughts drifted back to what he'd learned in the forest temple. The legend is real, he thought, amazed. How could that be true? How could it not be true? he asked himself. After that dream, after what happened to Sam; how could it not be true? Link shook his head; he didn't know what to think anymore. All he knew was that he needed to save Malon.

Malon. An icy fist clenched his heart. He blamed himself for what happened. If only he had been a little quicker, or stronger, or braver he could have saved her. Instead, he could only watch as she was dragged away by a vicious monster.

Link yelled savagely at the forest and threw his fist into a nearby tree. His entire life had been remorselessly torn apart, and the only thing he had to hold on to was Malon. Please be alright, he pleaded. Goddesses, please be safe.

As if reminded of the urgency of the situation, Link broke into a run, continuing down the stream. He wondered where Malon was right now; whether she was scared or crying. Link ran faster. What if she's hurt? What if she's lost? Link ran even faster, outpacing the water's flow.

What if she's dead? He was sprinting now, running as fast as he could, trees and rocks blurring past. His heart was racing, and sweat began to soak the collar of his jacket.

After a few minutes, blurred trees suddenly gave way to a wide open field, and Link stumbled to a halt. In the middle of the field was the oldest building that Link had ever seen. Vines hung haphazardly from its high, faded stained-glass windows and boards were missing from its large oaken doors. Scattered around the base of the stone structure were bits of rock that had fallen from the crumbling walls, walls that stretched fifty feet into the air, ending in jagged ramparts that made the place look like a small castle. There was no doubt about it; this was the Temple of Time.

Mouth wide in awe, the youth slowly crossed the field. He had never seen a structure that was so intricate, so artistic. As he approached the great oaken doors, he noticed the unusual silence of the surrounding forest. It was as if even the birds respected the sanctity of the temple. This place is huge! Link thought to himself as he walked closer. How had nobody in Hylia known of this before?

Strangely, the entrance was unobstructed by undergrowth, and it was with an air of suspense that Link heaved the large doors open. He sneezed violently as a cloud of dust was kicked up by the draft. Trying to fan the dust away with his right hand, Link stepped into the large chamber and took a curious look inside.

He gasped. I've been here before! he thought to himself, gazing around at the pillars lining the room and the high windows that cloaked the room in lush yellow light. The dream! This was the place he had dreamed about, the place where he first met the mysterious woman and found the strange sword.

The sword! Of course, that was the sword that he had been sent here to find! The sword that could save Malon! Link looked down toward where he'd seen the lustrous weapon in the dream. There, at the far end of the chamber, was the pedestal, exactly like he remembered it, and in it was the glittering sword.

His feet kicked up dust as he walked, and each footfall sounded too loud, just like in the dream. He noticed uneasily, as he ascended onto the familiar platform, that the dust had mysteriously stayed off of the hexagonal dais.

The sacred blade itself made Link's eyes grow wide in wonder. It was more polished than in the dream, reflecting the rich sunlight that was being cast through the high windows. It's blue, he realized with a start as he noticed the hilt. Just like I'd imagined.

He stood there for a while, gazing at it, marveling at it. Well, here goes nothing. The air itself seemed to quiver as he walked forward and stretched out his hand. Static built up as his fingers inched nearer and nearer to the hilt, just like touching charged metal.

His forefinger brushed the hilt.

With an enormous boom like that of a thunderclap, Link was thrown backwards through the air, the charged energy erupting where he'd touched the sword. With a yelp, Link landed painfully on his back, twenty feet away from the dais he had recently occupied.

"I was afraid this would happen," a voice from next to him said. Link achingly scrambled to his feet, moaning at his new bruises. Next to him stood Sheik, her arms folded in front of her. Her eyes were glazed over, gazing at the sword.

"Well thanks for the warning," Link said sarcastically. "It was a pleasant surprise." Sheik ignored him. "What happened?" Link asked after a moment.

"Link," Sheik replied. "I told you that the Cycle of Eternity is real, but that is not entirely true. Rather, it was real." Sheik turned her eyes to the ceiling, still staring at something only she could see. "The cycle was broken during the last turn. Somehow, the Hero of Time was renounced by the Goddess Farore and killed by Ganon. Somehow…" Sheik's mind trailed off for a second before she could continue. "Without the Hero of Time, Ganon could easily have taken control of Hyrule. In order to save her people, Princess Zelda sealed away both herself and Ganon to the Sacred Realm. There they have been for the last three-thousand years…until someone released them." Link, who had turned to gaze at the gleaming blade, spun in alarm. "Don't fear," Sheik said. "You made the right choice. The seal was weakening, and Ganon would have broken free on his own soon enough, while Zelda would have remained trapped, unable to stop him."

Link was stunned. Was all this his fault? Had he released that monster? Sheik seemed to sense his newfound uncertainty and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Everything happens for a reason," she said softly. "The Goddesses are always among us." After a moment of silence, Sheik continued.

"Now that the Princess and Ganon are free again, the cycle is ready to begin anew. However, the Goddesses no longer recognize the Hero of Time as part of the Cycle, and without him hope is lost. Without him the cycle cannot turn." Sheik's eyes grew sad.

"What does that have to do with—" Link began.

"The sword?" Sheik interrupted. "Throughout time this sword has gone by many names: The Hero's Lantern, The Key of Time, Evil's Bane." Sheik paused. "The Master Sword."

Link's eyes widened and he silently mouthed what Sheik had just said. The Master Sword! The legendary blade of the Chosen of Courage!

"This sword yields to only one hand." Sheik continued. "It will accept none other than the Hero of Time."

"Then why did you send me here?" Link asked irritably. "Why send me here if I can't use it?"

"Link," Sheik began slowly, as if unsure how to proceed. "Had the cycle continued…you would have been the Hero of Time."

Link's entire body went numb, and a shiver passed through his spine. Me, the Hero of Time? he asked himself. His stomach was doing flips. A thousand thoughts, a thousand questions ran through his mind, making him lightheaded.

"Why?" he finally asked. "Why—how do you—how could you even think that I'm the Hero of Time?" Link was starting to get angry. How could she expect him to accept all this? Its impossible! he screamed inside. The Hero of Time was a legendary figure who could save the world. I don't even stand up for myself at school!

Sheik responded readily. "Thousands of years ago, in the land of Leburennu, there was an oracle who could see freely into the past and future. People would flock from the surrounding lands to get their fortunes told, but she would never say more than a few words. It was her firm belief that the future was an entity, something that deserved to be left alone. However, before she disappeared in the Great Flood, the oracle betrayed her own ideals to give a powerful prophecy that promised to affect all of mankind. It was known as the Prophecy of Ages."

"That was a long time ago," Sheik continued. "Even some of the prophecy has been lost, but that which remains tells of the breaking of the Cycle, and the rebirth of the Hero of Time."

Link stood there silently, staring off in the direction of the legendary sword. This was too unbelievable; How could she possibly know it was him? She doesn't even know me! he thought. I can't save the world; I'm just a kid.

Link shook his head. "No, there's no way," he said. "You've got the wrong guy."

"So you believe that what happened to your brother was mere chance?" Sheik said angrily. "Please, he deserves more than that."

"Look at me!" Link yelled. "How could I be the hero that protects mankind? I couldn't even protect Malon!" He took a deep breath to calm himself. "I don't have anything to do with all this. I just want to save what's left of my family."

"Regardless," Sheik continued, annoyance lining her words. "There is only one way to save the girl, and that is with this sword." She paused to let her words sink in. "You must seek out the three holy altars scattered around Hylia and earn the Goddess' blessings as the new master of this sword."

"What?" Link asked, confused.

"There is no longer a Hero of Time in the Cycle of Eternity, and so this sword no longer has a master. But if you can prove your worth, the Goddesses will bestow that title to you."

Link looked away. There didn't seem to be any other choice. But then why do I feel like I'm being manipulated into this? After a moment he turned back to face the Sheika, his face hardened in resolve.

"I will seek the Goddess' acceptance to save Malon, but I am no Hero of Time."