Chapter 10
Link
Zelda spent the next few hours preparing and gathering. A large Korok named Hestu gave her some pouches, and said that they could put just about anything inside. She put some food and kindling inside, mentioning to him that where they went might not have anything to make a fire with. He reminded her that they needed to get medical and camping supplies. "I'm going to have to depend on you for that. I've never actually done anything with wilderness survival," she said, laughing embarrassedly
Link... didn't know what he was supposed to do. He was incapable of moving anything in his ghostly form, and had no idea what to do with the task the Deku Tree had given him. 'I believe that Link has that information. Perhaps not consciously, but he knows where Courage hides.' And what am I supposed to do with that? I straight up don't know! And I can't possibly be smart enough to figure it out on my own...
Then there was his... dream? Vision? Was it real? Or had he just imagined it... no. He had felt that evil presence as clear as the waters of Zora's Domain. How am I going to tell Zelda? Wait, does she have an idea of where the Sacred Light may be? I should... talk with her... right? But... the Deku Tree said she was a... a goddess? How am I supposed to talk to a deity?!
I'll... figure something out. She's like, the smartest person - goddess - I know. Except maybe the... Sheikah... His eyes widened. That was it! When they left the forest, they could go to Purah. She was crazy smart, and had Symin, Robbie, Jerrin, and that younger girl, those smarts together had to come up with something, right? And Zelda would be there too... yes, there was no doubt that they would figure out the right place to go.
He noticed Zelda waving him over, and as they left the forest, she began to speak. "Link. Um... do you think my father will let me do this? I wonder if he'll believe me... and will he be able to see you? This is all so crazy! I had no idea magic was real. I mean, who would?"
"U-umm... I... I think it'll be fine. Your Grace! Bu-"
"DON'T!" Zelda shouted. He shrank back. I made her mad again... IDIOT! By Light, I can't do anything ri-
"D-don't call me that, Link! I... I can't have you, of all people, defer to me like that."
"I... uh..." Link mumbled softly.
Zelda sighed heavily. "We're both human, despite what it seems the Deku Tree has said. Plus, he said, quote, 'that ancient spirit's indominable will resides in you.' I... don't know exactly what that means, but he seems to have respect for you; this must be important. So... please. Just refer to me normally."
He nodded, keeping features blank, still confused. What does this all mean? Like, she still wants us to be friends... she doesn't see how her divinity separates us?
"Also... do you know where we can go? To get to... Courage, the Deku Tree said?" she asked.
He shook his head. "B-but! I... have an idea. The Sheikah, they're... really smart. I'm sure th-they can at least figu-ure out some clues for us!"
"All right then! I guess we should figure a way to get... to where they are," Zelda said.
"Oh!" he blurted. "I r-recently saw them in Castle T..." he shook his head. "Union."
"They're probably still there, then! Let's hurry!" Zelda said.
As the two approached the cabin, a shout of pain rang through the air, and sounds of fighting could be heard inside; the wall were thin, apparently. After a quick glance at each other, Link and Zelda raced into the building. Please, be careful Zelda. I can't protect you if the Yiga are here. Or that... not-me...
Dorian and Zelda's father were desperately fighting four Yiga, two of them toweringly tall and buff, the others lithe. Another thin man lay on the ground, blood seeping into the carpet.
As Zelda and Link entered, Daphnes was hit in the head by one of the large men and he crumpled to the ground. In a flash, the Yiga grabbed him and disappeared in a poof. "Father!" Zelda screeched. Dorian and the kids glanced over, eyes widening. A smaller Yiga tackled the protector and disappeared.
"Big brother!"
"Zel!"
As Aryll and Zelda's siblings were lifted by the remaining Yiga, the children's arms reached out. His and Zelda's palms extended in unison as they raced towards them, desperately hoping to rescue them.
And their hands touched empty air.
Zelda let out a scream, and he covered his sensitive ears, looking away, only to see... Aryll's things lay haphazardly on the ground, and her telescope caught his attention. It was lying, partially extended, on the floor among her various other items, the painted seagulls just barely visible. He stared. He couldn't move. Or breathe. Can't breathe, I'm flying thourgh the air - going to die - and Aryll will be locked in that cage forever. USELESS! Why can't I save people? Why can't I ever save them?! He didn't even understand his own thoughts; was he going mad?
The telescope was gone. He panicked, and almost shouted before he saw Zelda holding it, her eyes sad and angry and determined, all at once. "I've got it, Link. We won't lose it." He gulped dryly, and nodded.
Zelda had found the statuette he had made her. She picked it up, and a warm glow spread across her hands. She seemed surprised, though. It seemed that she didn't yet have control of whatever powers she possessed. She growled, and with a shout, threw it on the ground, not noticing him flinch as she did so. "Oh, so NOW my powers work?! What the use of being a freaking goddess if I can't do anything useful?!"
Link's ears twitched nervously. "Zelda, if any-anyone else is here... w-we have to go."
"No! If there's someone here, they'll pay for this!" Her eyes were alight with anger; at him, or the Yiga, he wasn't sure.
"But...!"
"NO! I have to get them back, and you can't protect me forever! Don't be so stupid!"
Link backed away, eyes wide. He was trembling, and felt cold all over. He wanted to cry. She had been lying all these years, then; she really did think him... stupid. But for a moment, he had thought... Of course you thought she might have loved you. You're an idiot, remember?
Zelda seemed to realize what she had said, and reached out to him, trying to touch him. He backed further, ears pointed down, eyes darting fearfully, seeking escape. She stared at him for a moment be fore speaking. "I... okay. Let's... let's just go, then." They went outside, where the cars still sat. The engine started nigh-silently, and then they were off.
Nearly an hour later, Zelda spoke to him again. "I'm... sorry, Link. I just threw down what you made me, then I argued with you and called you... stupid." He hoped she didn't notice him curl tighter around himself. "Could you please... forgive me?"
He wanted to. But... she had meant it, hadn't she?. She didn't want him to try to protect her, to be her friend. What she needed was him to follow what she said, and never question her. If that's true, then... I should say I forgive her; that's what she needs right now. So he said aloud, "Of course, Your Grace." Her lips tightened.
"I said don't call me that," she said, a hint of anger coloring her voice.
"I... uh, s-sorry... Zelda. I... forgive you."
"Thank you."
Some time later, they reached Union. In ancient history, it was called Castle Town, but the Castle itself had been destroyed so many times that the name was removed. Once all the peoples had united, the location of that declaration was named for the world-changing event.
The area didn't feel peaceful now.
The residents, people from every race, marched in the streets of their home, shouting, holding signs. Graffiti of hateful symbols still permeated the walls and ground. He once again couldn't focus on the written words, though he recognized some scattered Ancient Hyrulian symbols.
Zelda, frowning at the crowd, turned on the radio. "...Hyrule family has been taken hostage, as well as two children who are family friends. Where they are and who their captor might be is still a mystery, despite the brutal video posted of them on social media. Chuck, back to you about the marches."
"Thank you, Sondra. Well, lately, a lot of people feel like our government isn't doing enough. The Gerudo Representative, Nabooru, has disappeared, and the other members of the council are refusing to meet in the Capital, or, as we know, have been taken hostage. We'll see in due time what-" Zelda turned the radio back off.
_/|||\_
Zelda hesitated, then knocked at the door. A crash, and shouts of "Coming!" from various voices made him wince. The door swung open violently, passing through Link's translucent body. The woman at the door dropped her mouth open. "ZELLIE?! WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT SKY FISH?!"
"Quiet down, will you, Purah? This is clearly an emergency! Not to mention the Yiga spy!" a voice inside hissed. Purah paled slightly, then beckoned them in.
"How far is your car parked? If the news sees it... or the police... or that Yiga..." Purah's sister spoke.
"Don't worry," Zelda said. "We ditched it a while ago."
Impa gave a sigh of relief before turning to Link, giving him a flat look. "What in the heavens, Farole." Robbie, Purah, and Josha looked at her, nonplussed.
"Huh? I didn't let anyone besides Zelda in..." said Purah
He fidgeted, uncomfortable. "Well, Mrs. Impa..." Link looked around, gauging who was there, before his non-existent heart seemed to stop. His uncle and father were there, with Mori staring at him, open-mouthed.
"Yeah... um. Th-there were some... compli-complications."
Zelda explained the basics of what had happened, likely hoping she didn't sound insane (and conveniently forgetting to mention their supposed roles as Goddess and Hero incarnate). "...This is madness. But I'm sure none o' the food we had earlier was bad, an' Zelda sounds sane enough," Link's uncle said in his gruff voice.
Link's father, Telan, spoke next. "You mentioned, Zelda, you have something to find that will... get Link back. But I... as the Chief of Police here in the capital, I can't just abandon my post."
Link nodded. He had guessed that, but just knowing that his father believed what was going on, was here, even... that was all he could ask for from such an emotionally distant man.
"... I wish I could see him, though," Telan said, softly enough that it was nearly impossible to hear. If Link's heart had been physical, it would have clenched painfully.
"...I'll go wit' ya. I'm a fair hand a' swordplay, and Zelda's gonna need some protection and an escort, with Link bein' all... dead-like," Mori said.
Link's lips tightened in a slightly exasperated smile. "Thanks, Uncle."
"Check it! There's still the matter of, oh, I don't know, figuring out where to go?!" Purah exclaimed dramatically.
Young Josha chimed in. "Ooh! Ok, Impa, do you know where some places are that Courage has been associated with? Yes, Goggles, I mean besides our hearts," she glared at Robbie, who had begun to open his mouth.
Impa closed her eyes for a moment. "A few places... the deep ocean, tangled forests... regardless, it has always been associated with life."
Courage. Life. Has been... Images, ideas, and words swirled in his mind before he blurted out, "Faron!" The ones who could see and hear him stared. He ducked his head and blushed. I didn't try to say that... "Umm... F-faron is a forest, like Impa men-mentioned - full of life. An-and it has been connected w-with courage r-right?" His voice had grown very quiet, but sounded deafening to his ears in the silence.
Zelda nodded slowly. "I suppose that makes sense. And it at least narrows down our search to a single region."
Impa studied him for a moment before turning to Zelda, Link, and their volunteer guardian. "We'll have Mori go and get some supplies. We also must watch for the Yiga spy across the street... We cannot alert him to your presence here, Zelda; we can't have you be taken."
He glanced at Zelda. She had gone nearly completely still, her face frozen and gaunt. He started to speak: "Ze-"
"I need some sleep! Got anywhere to rest, guys?" She said this excessively loudly.
"Er, first door on the left upstairs, but-" Purah was cut off.
"THANKS-GOODNIGHT-EVERYBODY."
Zelda raced up the stairs, and a moment later, a slam shook the house.
A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, guys. Life just exploded. But here's this chapter! Also note that I updated the other chapters and hopefully, they flow a little bit better.
Also, Void Elsmul, thank you for the comment. It super nice of you to complement my poorly-written story like that! (Sorry my response is late too; I kept forgetting!)