Notes at the end of the most recent chapter.

Link had to sprint to catch up to the captain's hurried pace.

Breathing heavily, he finally slowed down as he neared the excited man.

"So, where are we going, exactly?" The boy asked between shortened breaths.

Sikumar simply turned and grinned. As the two came upon Hyrule Castle's main gate, the captain turned to Link and eventually came to a stop.

"Link, you've ridden a mount before, haven't you?"

Link studied the floor, embarrassed.

"Uh… no."

"But you've seen how to before, right?"

"I… I've only read about horses in books. I've never seen one before."

Sikumar's eyes softened.

"That's fine, Link. There's never been a better time for you to learn."

The boy looked beyond the gates at the sprawling city that he'd once lived in as a child.

"Okay."

"Link, this might not be fair of me to ask, but I have to." Link's heart sank. Did he have to wear a veil or dress as a slave? He decided halfheartedly it wouldn't be so bad if he had to: as a slave, he'd be dismissed and others would avoid looking at him; and with a veil he'd be completely hidden.

Sikumar dropped the volume of his voice to a level that suggested only Link should be listening, "If I'm correct, the mark on your hand suggests that you have a divine destiny to fulfill. You need to be courageous, Link. You've lived in fear for your entire life and I understand you can't disconnect your heart from your head… your emotions are part of you. But… you must be willing to forget them at least while you're around others. Link, I see you as a leader in the future. People will look up to you, and they'll need to lean on you for support."

Link didn't know how to respond, opting to sheepishly hide his left hand from the captain's sight.

"You will be sought after and treated unfairly. You've already experienced that firsthand, but it will only get worse. Link, I'm not trying to scare you… I'm trying to prepare you. It's no coincidence that you're right here, right now. You are going to be a hero. Can I count on you to be courageous?"

The young Hylian had been considering Sikumar's words very carefully. "What does this mark have to do with anything?"

Link removed his glove and exposed the obsidian black triforce and brought it to his face, his scrutinizing gaze seemingly trying to peel it off his skin.

The captain gently grabbed his arm and looked at the mark.

"It's not really my place to say. That's why you need to go to Kakariko Village and talk to Impa."

Link slid his glove back on.

"Why do you say that like you're not coming?"

"Because I'm not," he whispered.

Link's heart sank.

"Remember what I just said. Link, if you let your fears show, people won't be able to rely on you."

Link started to shake, indicative of panic taking control of his decisions.

"Calm down. Here, sit down," Sikumar soothed, gently taking all his weight in his arms and lowering him to the street.

Link started taking deep, shaky breaths and closed his eyes.

"It's okay. Link, I'm serious about what I said—"

"I know you are. But I don't want to be confused anymore. I need to know everything. No more secrets. Please."

Sikumar sighed, accepting defeat. He joined Link on the cold cobblestone street below.

"You've read of the heroes of old, Link?"

"You mean in the legends?"

Sikumar chuckled.

"Yes, but they're more than mere legends, my boy. You see, each of these heroes bore the same divine gift of courage and are each a reincarnation of the same soul. Their presence in history marks the beginning of an ancient evil's return. This evil is known as Ganon, and he threatens to consume the known world as he regains strength after being defeated by this divine hero."

"But isn't that just what the story says?" Link questioned.

"Well, not entirely. Ancient texts seem to leave out the part where the hero is identified. You see, these heroes do not suddenly surface as a strong person, already determined to destroy the evil that threatens their world. They have a past, but for some reason that is unimportant to include. It's beyond me, really, I'm no scholar. But what I'm trying to say is… well, you're next."

"Uh… I don't…"

"Link. That mark. Look at it."

He removed his glove yet again, inspecting the same black triangles that have resided there since he left Haseem's care on his own will. In fact, Link still clearly remembers the day he ran full-speed to what could likely be his doom.

But Link wasn't dead—not even close. Ever since he began sharpening swords, Link has grown stronger. He couldn't tell you why, but it wasn't until this moment that the Hylian realized his courage has started to outweigh his fears. He liked knowing what he was getting in to, but trusting Sikumar was probably the right thing to do.

"Haseem told me what it means. The three goddesses." Link stated.

"Yes, but that's not the entirety."

Link looked at Sikumar.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the three forces are each imbued into an entity. Ganon's malevolence and age takes the cake for the triforce of power, and the other two forces are represented by two others. In the stories, the hero always had to fight against uneven odds and always do what's right. The hero is the embodiment of courage."

"So… what happens with wisdom?"

"The final triforce is typically held by the princess of the kingdom, at least per the ancient tales. Truly, I can't say for sure. But, Link, you hold the triforce of courage; the power of Farore. You are the hero. That's why your name is Link. Either a happy accident or a deliberate act of the goddess, that's your name."

"So I'm nothing more than a disposable sack of flesh?"

"No, no, Link! Not at all! You're still you, but you hold an ancient power that will be used to fight Ganon. That's why you need to talk to Impa. She is a member of the Sheikah clan, the people who built the divine beasts and guardians ten thousand years ago. Impa can help you harness the power and train you."

Link gently ran his fingers across his arm, lost in thought.

"When do I leave?"

"Well, it seems you're already starting to harness Farore's power. As for your question, if you're ready now, I will take you to the stables."

Link looked up, showing no emotion. Sikumar feared that he'd see that look a bit too often on the boy's face.

If only he knew…

Link took to riding like a natural. In a strange way, he was connected to his mount, which allowed him to understand how to command it and soothe it.

Kakariko Village took mere hours to arrive at. Its atmosphere was starkly different to that of the castle: the architecture and décor looked older and the people seemed much happier. Link would have to get used to that.

He scanned the area, looking for a prominent building where he assumed the leader would be. Spotting a tall, stilted building with stairs leading up to it, Link assumed he found what he was looking for.

In all truth, the boy was petrified. Every sound he heard was new and alien to him. He nearly flinched at somebody offering him a small sweet, trying to say 'thank you' as normally as possible. He was extremely far away from the only place he'd ever called home and was still internally confused about his purpose. But, like Sikumar said, he needs to push the bad thoughts away. If he's been gifted this divine force of courage, he should do everything he can to use it. Though this world has given Link nothing but pain, abuse, and torment, he's somehow maintained a positive outlook. Some nights, he'd whisper to himself before he fell asleep, "Tomorrow's a new day. Things will be different. The world doesn't revolve around you, Link." Link's hardships did nothing to slow him down, however. He wanted nothing but to help people. He would ignore his emotions until it wasn't necessary. Unbeknownst to him, however, that's not how emotions work. Link would need to use his feelings to his advantage, not ignore them.

It would only be a matter of time before he finally cracked under the pressure.

Link's discussion with Impa was precisely what he'd expected it to be. She told him to train his mind alongside his body and increase his willpower.

He remembered her instructions the most:

"Boy, wait at least until you are sixteen. Then, if you feel ready, your courage will naturally give you the strength to retrieve the Master Sword. It's your other half, so the sooner you can wield it the better. It really is a wonder you pulled it out so far without its power consuming you."

Impa's words did next to nothing to calm his nerves, but at least he finally understood his obligations.

In addition to explaining his role in the fight against Ganon, Impa also offered Link two blue-green earrings, which symbolized adulthood in the Sheikah culture. He gratefully accepted, but wasn't aware of the pain which accompanied the ceremony of piercing until the sharp blade had already sliced through his earlobe.

Link set out to return home. He'd do as Impa instructed and train—which wasn't anything new for him. He liked training and bettering himself, even if he didn't have the body to show for it. Nevertheless, Link was satisfied with his appearance: long, flowing blonde hair; his newly-acquired aquamarine ear piercings; soft facial features; sky blue eyes; light Hylian skin tone; and loosely-defined, lithe body muscles. By social standards, he did not fit the common criteria for a hero: angular jaw, burly shoulders, and large physique. Frankly, Link was quite the opposite. But the same words kept repeating in his head: You're small, Link, but you can use that to your advantage. Sikumar had never once referred to him as obscene, ugly, or that his appearance was a bad thing. With that in mind, he assumed that he wouldn't be able to impress anyone with his stature, but his abilities would surely do the trick.

Link would be a hero, whether he believed it or not.