Vault of Valor

King Harkinian threw his goblet across the dining hall, forcing Lieutenant Gudric to duck out of the line of fire. He was only the messenger, but messengers often made for excellent stress relief. He knew the news would be bad when his watchmen reported the return of his royal army without its captain. Still, hearing it made it final, and the finality incited a deep rage.

Everything was falling apart. Fate was getting the better of him despite his best efforts at resistance. As much as he loved his precious Zelda, he boiled with regret at her name. He was blinded by love, that's why he named her according to that accursed prophecy. Why did he let fate win? Fate always won. The Goddesses always won. It was time to end that trend for good.

Taking a calming breath, he addressed his nervous Lieutenant. "So, this is supposed to be a good thing?"

"Yes, yer highness. The captain made it clear that she needed to be close. Said she was close to gettin' somethin' you wanted. She didn't tell me what, but she said ya would know. Said she might even get two of 'em."

The king relaxed a bit at this. Was this really good news? The Goddesses always seemed to trick him with good news. Could he even trust his captain anymore? Maybe she was a tool of the Goddesses now. Of course she was. Everyone is their toy. Not him, though. He would not let even good news jade him. Not this time.

It was time to call in a favor. "Lieutenant, I need you to deliver another message."

Knowl carefully placed an age-old book on the table facing the ragtag visitors. "The lonely king wasn't always a ruler. Fate was thrust upon him. He recounted his tale in this book and left it in the safe keeping of the Sheikah. In it, he speaks of a great power that all men seek. He even sought it himself, to his own regret."

He paused to allow others to speak. The unwise always wanted to speak when they should be listening. Impa began by asking, "Does King Harkinian know about this book?"

Knowl smiled. Unwise people always liked to ask questions they already knew the answers to. After a few seconds silence, Impa nodded in understanding. When no one else spoke, he continued.

"He began as a simple farm boy who enjoyed a good day's labor in the warmth of the sun. He did not desire glory or seek adventure, but they found him nonetheless. When he was young, he was drawn inexplicably to serve the crown. There he met a beautiful princess and fell instantly in love."

He paused again to watch Link shift in his seat. Zelda seemed oblivious to the parallel. He continued, "The princess eventually fancied the boy, but their love could not be for the kingdom of Hyrule came under siege by a wicked man bent on taking the crown for himself. The war was long suffering, so the boy and the princess decided to seek the great power. They hoped to end the war with a whisper of a wish."

"The Triforce," said Zelda. "But they didn't get to it in time, did they?"

"Oh, they did," Knowl continued. "They just so happened to lead the evil man right to it. He overpowered them and took the Triforce for himself."

"So he got his wish?" asked Ganondorf, a tinge of excitement in his voice.

"No," replied Knowl, and Ganondorf looked slightly disappointed. "The Triforce only grants the wish to one whose heart reflects the Goddesses themselves in perfect harmony. Power must be tempered by wisdom. Wisdom must be carried out with courage. Courage has no reach without power."

"Something must have happened," said Zelda, "even if the evil one didn't get his wish. You said the lonely king regretted seeking the power."

"Indeed, every promise of blessing carries a warning of curse. When touched with an unbalanced heart, the subject is given only one of the three pieces of the Triforce according their heart's greatest desire. The evil one desired power alone, so power he received. The remaining two pieces were given to those souls whom the Goddesses regarded with fondness. The Triforce of Courage went to the farm boy and the Triforce of Wisdom was bestowed upon the princess he adored. As they received their heavenly gifts, the Goddesses transported them away from the evil one, for they knew his heart would not be contented with merely the Triforce of Power."

"That doesn't make any sense," interjected Link. "I mean, he wanted power and got it. What good would courage and wisdom do?"

"The power gave him abilities beyond common man, but he was still just a man. All quest for power is a quest for godhood. He wanted more than control; he wanted exaltation. He was cheated from what he felt belonged to him, and he would stop at nothing to realize his prize. He pursued the farm boy and girl for years, ravaging the realm of Hyrule in the process."

"So," asked Link, "even though they had pieces of the Triforce, they could be killed?"

"Each piece of the Trifoce grants its bearer some limited form of immortality. Their divine nature allegedly sustains the host even in the face of grave injury, but the essence of the Triforce can also be forcibly driven out. This requires immense power to accomplish, something the evil one already had."

"He had the Triforce of Power," commented Zelda.

"Yes. He eventually captured the princess and extracted the Triforce of Wisdom. Upon hearing of her peril, the boy took up arms against the evil one and emerged the victor."

"But, how?" asked Ganondorf. "What power did the boy have that would defeat both the Triforce of Power and Wisdom?"

"That, I am afraid, is a story for another time. Why discuss the solution to a problem that is not yet present? The question at hand is this: are you seeking the Triforce?"

"Yes," said Zelda, Link, and Ganondorf in unison.

"Good."

"Good?" piped up Impa. "You're going to let them forge ahead on a quest already known to unleash apocalypse?"

"I am not going to just let them. I am going to help them."

"What?! Why?!"

"The Sheikah do not resist the fate of the Goddesses."

"But," argued Impa, "there's a fine line between facing your fate and helping it along. How do you even know these three are the ones meant to seek it?"

Knowl smiled at Impa. Too many years away from home made her strong headed. "Because," he replied as he opened the ancient book, "it is always these three."

He carefully turned a brittle page revealing an illustration of the farm boy, the princess, and the evil one. They were the spitting image of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf.

Impa asked, "What do you mean always?"

"It is called 'the cycle,' and it happens every one thousand years. It is always these three, it always involves the Triforce, and it always ends in war."

Link savored a mouthful of bread. The Sheikah meal had been excellent and refreshing after their long journey of eating nothing but meager rations, yet the food settled uneasily. No one had spoken during the meal, and Link was sure they were all thinking the same thing.

Ganondorf was focusing at his plate, apparently trying hard to avoid eye contact. Why not? He was the evil one in the story, the one that kills Zelda. He felt more justified than ever in not trusting the monster he was seeing emerge in that man. Zelda had to see it too.

Finally, he had to break the silence. "Maybe this is a mistake."

They all looked up. "You do not wish to save the Gerudo?" asked Knowl.

"That's not what I mean," said Link annoyed at Knowl's insinuation. "I mean, maybe we shouldn't go for the Triforce. You all heard the story."

"I heard a story," replied Zelda.

He was a bit disappointed she disagreed, but he pressed on. "Come on, princess. You saw the picture. It was a pretty detailed story involving three people exactly like us."

"Yes," she responded, "but not us."

Link was getting rather heated so bit into his bread angrily to help keep his mouth shut.

"Zelda," interjected Impa. "What makes you think you are different? What makes you think you can stop an endless cycle demanded by the Goddesses themselves?"

"Because I know what the others did wrong."

Link stopped chewing. He noticed even Knowl had a look of surprise on his face.

She continued, "The original three made the mistake of thinking that only one of them had what it takes to wield the Triforce. The secret is knowing that none of us are worthy alone."

"Interesting," said Knowl. "So, instead of just one of you taking the Triforce—"

"All three of us will take it," finished Ganondorf.

Link was still skeptical, "So, we just touch it at the same time or something?"

"Something like that," said Zelda. "I'm not as strong and courageous as the two of you, but I have been told many times I am wise beyond my years. That is my strength. Ganondorf has exhibited great power, even if it is has gotten the better of him, and you, Link, have more courage than the entire Royal Army."

Her compliment helped to cool his blood a little, and she was making an interesting point. Still, there was one thing missing from the equation. "Trust," he said. "This is going to require a lot of trust."

"Indeed," said Knowl, "which is why her theory is so brilliant. The Goddesses are three, but they trust each other as they trust themselves. It only makes sense they would desire to see three people exhibit the same kind of trust to claim the Triforce. Individually, you have faults, but together you could very well be the Chosen One the mystics of ages past had always assumed was just one person."

"Can't blame them," said Link. "It's in the name: Chosen One."

"True," said Knowl, "but the Goddesses are also one. Everything they do, they do as one."

Everyone fell silent, apparently giving the idea due consideration. Zelda he trusted, but Ganondorf? He was so hot headed, what if he freaked out and took the Triforce for himself and just started this mess all over again? It was too risky.

On the other hand, he couldn't forget Impa's words. True loyalty is making your master's thoughts your thoughts. If you are loyal to her, then her plan is your plan. "Zelda," he said at last, "you are wise beyond your years. If this is your plan," he stole a side glance at Impa, "then it is my plan too."

Ganondorf spoke next. "I know I have done things that make you question my motives, but I only want to save my people. I here and now swear to you, as princess and my friend, that I will not seek power like the man in that dusty old book. Your plan is mine also."

Zelda smiled, very clearly pleased. She turned to Knowl and asked, "The way to the Trifoce, do you know it?"

"Sadly," replied Knowl, "I do not know where the Triforce is located. I only know of what the lonely king wrote in this book. So afraid was he of repeating the past, he would not dare speak of its location to any sole. He seemed to believe that the Goddesses would help the Chosen One find it."

"But, you do know something," she said. It wasn't a question.

"I know of a key, broken into three parts."

Link's ears perked up. Three keys, exactly as Aveil had said. Ganondorf's sword, Zelda's crown, and something else. Something for him? A cool weapon of his own maybe?

"Do you know anything about them?" asked Zelda. "Where they are?" Link noticed she was careful not to give away that they already had two of the three keys. Knowl seemed trustworthy enough, but it was wise to exercise caution in Impa's presence.

"I know everything about them, including their location. In fact, one of them is not far from here in an ancient temple we call the Vault of Valor."

"Valor," repeated Zelda thoughtfully. "Sounds like a temple to honor Farore?"

"Yes, princess. The bravest souls in Hyrule pilgrimage there to prove their courage."

Link smiled. "What is it? Like, a test?" Link liked tests.

"Yes."

"What do you get if you pass?"

"Courage."

Link furrowed his brow. "That's it? What about the key."

"Oh, you will get that too, if you desire, but only those worthy of Farore's prize may have it."

"So, how do you know someone else hasn't gotten it already?"

"Because, no one has ever come out."

Link paused. "So it's that kind of test."

"Yes."

Link grinned. He liked tests, especially the impossible ones.

Zelda dreamed the dream again. Everything happened exactly the same but with new meaning. Her father—the father she believed she knew—faded away and she was struck with how distant and almost nonexistent he seemed to her now. She did not cry for him this time. Her father was just a figure of her own imagination, and it was time to let go of childish fantasies.

Ganondorf, as before, turned his back on her and left the glade. The bond she had always felt was weaker now forcing her to acknowledge her growing doubt. Would he really share the Triforce as she was hoping, or was he going to take his own, darker path?

The boy in green, with the smile that filled her heart with affection, was Link. The feelings confused her for she felt nothing but benign friendship toward him in the world outside the dream. She touched him and watched with little surprise this time as he turned to dust and was carried away by the wind.

Once again the light of the fairy flickered out and the world around her melted away into a wasteland, overwhelming her with a sense of solitude. She began to cry, not because she was scared like last time, but because she felt the burden of responsibility. Somehow, she knew it was her fault the world and the people she loved was dead and gone. A tear landed on the cracked earth, seeping rapidly into the thirsty dirt. Instantly, the hard clay turned to rich, dark soil and a tiny green stalk emerged stretching for the morning sun.

Zelda was awakened by a young Sheikah girl and made to prepare for the journey to the Vault of Valor. The morning meal was satisfying and pleasant. To her relief, Link and Ganondorf were not only cordial with each other, but they even joked with one another. Was trust building between them after all? She watched Link closely. There was not a trace of affection toward him like in her dream, but there was a thread of sadness. No one has ever come out. She felt the desolation of the dream weigh on her as she was overcome with the notion that she could very well be sending him to die. What happens in the vault? Do those that fail turn to dust?

The temple was not far for they reached it by late afternoon. According to Knowl, the giant oak doors were guarded day and night by Sheikah warriors. It was considered a high honor. Link secured the his sword—the one he'd taken from one of Impa's Royal Guards—by sheathing it through his belt. After tucking in his slingshot alongside it, he declare himself ready.

The guards opened the door and he walked in alone without hesitation. The doors closed slowly behind him and she thought she saw a tiny streak of blue light a split second before the doors slammed closed with a thud.