"Dad, I don't want to go," Link insisted, throwing his fists in a tantrum.
"It's your duty. One day, you will accept that. I pray that day is not too late," his father responded, for the hundredth time.
"You always say that, and yet here we are, having peace, no death or fighting for our lives. When are you going to accept that this scary monster you guys all talk about is never coming back?" Link asked in rhetoric.
"I will not allow that kind of talk. Get in the car, we are going to the guild meeting," he ordered sternly.
"Fine. It's not like I really have a say in the matter," Link groaned, and shoved his freshly cleaned training tunic into his pack. He tossed the bag over his shoulder and reluctantly followed his dad out the door. They descended from the porch to the ground using three stone steps. "I don't know why we keep doing this," he whined.
His dad stood at the door to the driver's seat of the car and glared disapprovingly. "And that is why we exist. We are here to remind everyone that a threat is still out there, that the Triforce is not just a myth, and neither is our bloody history. Your ancestors fought and died to protect this kingdom, but today's generation has forgotten that and the legend of Hyrule."
Link rolled his eyes and slid into the passenger seat. "Whatever," he moaned, and used the slamming of the car door to cover up his tone.
His father shoved the key into the ignition and twisted it forcefully to start the car. The engine roared to life, then settled to a constant hum. "Perhaps this time of peace will continue throughout your life, but that's not why we do what we do. We are Knights of Hyrule to protect our children, and grandchildren. When Hyrule is threatened, our family will be part of the first line of defense. That is our duty, and it always will be." He shifted the stick by the wheel into the reverse gear, and backed out of the paved driveway.
Link firmly crossed his arms and watched the lit homes as they drove by. Most families were still too poor to afford a vehicle, but not them, or any other member of the guild for that matter. The drive was only about ten minutes, but the tense silence doubled that time. They exited the car and entered the community building. The first room was a small lobby, but in the evening there were no ringing phones and no receptionist to offer assistance. Link and his dad walked through the double doors into the large conference room. A long table divided the room, with a podium at the front, facing the doors. As the other adults with their teenagers began filing in, attendance was taken, and important notes from the previous meeting were reviewed.
Link rested back in his seat and pulled his hunter green baseball cap down over his eyes. He preferred to be invisible, so that the other kids who all followed Mido would leave him alone. After fighting with his dad, he really wanted to avoid exchanging words with his rivals. The reports were always the same, so while they talked about the lack of impending doom, he closed his eyes to catch a quick nap before practice.
Link shouted in pain when the tip of his father's shoe collided sharply with the back of his leg. He sat up right to rub the bruising muscle.
"Everything all right, Link?" the speaker behind the podium asked with concern.
"Yeah, he just doesn't want to be here, like always," Mido chimed in.
Link ignored him. "I'm fine," he answered the adult behind the podium, grimacing. "Just stubbed my toe, is all."
The meeting only lasted a few more minutes, long enough to review upcoming events that posed security risks. They discussed how they would be strategically visiting the carnival coming to town that week to keep a lookout for anyone suspicious. Link felt the worst news from that week was Zelda finally coming of age to marry. She was about to turn sixteen, and he was turning seventeen in a few days. The only reason he was not an eligible suitor was because of his knightly heritage. It was forbidden for a Knight of Hyrule to marry the princess. And he was by no means noble, but he had certain privileges.
The gavel banged against the wooden surface of the podium to call an end to the meeting. Link was the first one to pop to his feet and rush to the locker room so he could peacefully change into his uniform. He hurriedly slid out of his baggy jeans and mountain boots, t-shirt, and cap, to don his padded vest and tunic, boots, and fingerless leather gloves for grip. Lastly, he tightened his harness, and escaped the locker room with his training sword before his comrades appeared.
The uniform was uncomfortable, but it was required for training to learn to maneuver with the extra weight. The material was thin, but made from special fabric that was nearly impenetrable. It was the steel woven into the padding of the boots and vest that made the uniform heavy. He emerged from the locker room to stretch and practice offensive sequences on a dummy made of plastic and silicone that almost simulated a real person. Link was accustomed to training alone, or only with his dad. The goal was to spar with everyone at least once before the end of the night, but the other teenagers avoided Link. They refused to give him the satisfaction of beating them. This was the only part of the weekly meeting that he enjoyed, because it was something he actually enjoyed and did well.
Link pulled his sword from its sheath as the others entered the gym. He spun the familiar weight of steel blade using only his wrist, and prepared to take a swing, when someone called, "Hey, wimp!"
Everyone looked in his direction, while Link ignored them. He practiced the basic horizontal slice first. Mido slowly approached him, but Link did not acknowledge him.
"I'm talking to you," Mido shouted. He raised his sword offensively and demanded, "I want to challenge you."
Without thinking, Link smirked and said, "So, you want me to humiliate you, again?"
"Don't be overconfident," his father warned, walking toward the two teens.
"Let me cut your ego down to size," Mido growled, and attacked viciously. Link redirected his sword at an angle at the last second. Their blades collided with such force they sparked, and the sound of steel grinding against steel echoed in the gymnasium. The other members of the guild stopped their own training to witness the fight.
Link already knew how to win. Mido was muscular, which made him slow, but powerful. Link would rely on his more slender build for speed and agility to defeat his opponent. He saw the fight ending in just minutes.
He thought he had time to parry Mido's next attack, and was surprised to find he narrowly avoided being cut. Link only survived by completely dodging at the last second. He was so rattled, it took several seconds to compose himself and adjust to his opponent's new speed. The balance of power and speed forced Link to stumble, but he refocused on a whole new level of skill. Perhaps the best way to win was to out think him, not move faster. He fought back, toning down his speed to put more strength behind his swings. Link still proved more nimble, and instead of wearing out he gained stamina. It was that ability to bounce back from a block that gave him the upper hand he needed.
The whole room held its breath, but not for the reason Link believed. He was absorbed in the battle, and was the last to notice the golden glow spilling out from within his glove. It became so bright it threatened to explode from his hand. Link stepped back from his opponent, shoved his blade under his arm, and ripped off his glove. The back of his left hand boasted the outlined symbol of three triangles. "What is...? Is this?"
Link's father stepped swiftly forward to confirm his suspicion and somberly announced, "Link has been granted the mark of the hero."
"Why me?" Link groaned, frustrated.
"This is a tremendous honor," his dad reminded him sternly.
Mido interjected, "Yeah, one that you don't deserve."
"Nor do I want it. You can have it," Link exclaimed, and held out his fist as if Mido could take it from him.
"Link," his dad scolded. "This isn't something you can just give away!"
Link huffed and slammed his sword in its sheath on his back. "Dad, I don't care. It's bad enough no one likes me. Now, I have some responsibility I don't even want!"
"Son, you are just going to have to accept that this is your destiny, whether you like it or not," his dad said, using empathy. "We all must accept that soon we will be called upon to protect Hyrule, with our lives if we must."
The room was filled with silence, and the other kids stared at one another in disbelief.
Link kept his eyes down and muttered, "This is so stupid."
"How can you say that? That mark is proof of everything you have been denying. Do you still doubt the prophecy?"
"I don't know," he snapped. "How do we know this means anything? How do you know your goddesses still care, or that they even exist? I know that I just want to be a normal kid, spend my days peacefully fishing by the creek. I don't want to be a descendent of some ancient knights, and I don't want to be a hero."
"You're just a spoiled brat. You don't have what it takes," Mido taunted.
"Mido, that's enough," the teen's dad scolded in a patient tone.
"I am disappointed," Link's father said firmly. "We are going to see the royal family when the sun rises, and I will not hear anymore blasphemous talk. Do you understand?"
"Whatever. Thanks for nothing," he mumbled under his breath, and descended into the locker room.
His dad slowly shook his head. The rest of the kids dispersed to continue practice. "It'll be okay, Horus," said Mido's dad, patting him on the shoulder. "Link will come around."
"I just hope it is not too late, Jake. I have a bad feeling."
"Can you blame him? It's been how many years? Five hundred or more? This is the longest Hyrule has ever known peace, as if the demon king has simply given up," he said with a chuckle.
"That's what worries me," Horus admitted.