Link's POV

The fall seems to last forever, my body battered and broken as I tumble through the darkness. The pain is overwhelming, and I can feel my consciousness slipping away. My last thoughts are of Dark, of the future we had dreamed of, and the hope that he would be safe.

When I finally hit the ground, everything goes black.

Time passes in a haze of pain and darkness. When I finally come to, I find myself lying on a bed in a spacious, softly illuminated room. The walls shimmer with the faint glow of bioluminescent plants, casting a serene blue light across the stone walls. The soothing sound of flowing water echoes gently, and the air smells faintly of healing herbs and freshwater.

I try to sit up, but a sharp pain in my side forces me back down. "Easy there," a gentle voice says. I turn to see a Zora healer with kind eyes. Her scales gleam softly in the ambient light, and her movements are graceful and fluid. "You've been through a lot. You need to rest."

"Where am I?" I croak, my voice weak and raspy.

"You're safe, you're in Zora's Domain," she replies. "One of our scouts found you on the riverbank outside Castle Town. Your injuries were so severe we had to use a fairy to save you. It's a rare creature, and since only one hatches every 100 years we save them for extreme circumstances, such as saving the Hero of Hyrule," she smiles softly.

On my bedside table is a small, crystalline cage. Inside, a tiny, pink fairy flits about, its light pulsing, filling the room with a warm, comforting glow. I can feel its magic still lingering in the air, a soothing presence that eases the pain in my body.

"The fairy's magic is incredibly powerful," the healer continues. "It can mend broken bones, heal internal injuries, and even restore life to those who are on the brink of death. We were so fortunate to have one on hand when you were brought to us."

As I lay back, the reality of what has happened begins to sink in. Ganondorf still rules, and Hyrule is in danger. I had failed to defeat him, and everyone likely believes I am dead.

Over the next three weeks, the Zora healer, Mipha, stays by my side, tending to my wounds with a combination of herbal remedies and gentle, restorative magic. Slowly, I begin to regain my strength, my pain ebbing away as the fairy's magic works its wonders.

Outside my window, I can see the breathtaking beauty of Zora's Domain. The city is built into the cliffs, with cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear pools of water reflecting the sunlight. Zoras move gracefully through the water and across the walkways, their elegant forms blending seamlessly with the natural splendor of their home.

One morning there was a knock on my door.

"Come in!" I say, not glancing up from my book. I figure it's Mipha bringing me breakfast.

"Link?" Hearing a masculine voice, I look up.

Rusl is cautiously standing in the doorway, disbelief on his face. He rushes to my side, embracing me tightly, tears falling from his cheeks onto my shoulder.

"Link! Thank the Goddesses you're alive," Rusl says, his voice thick with emotion. "We all thought we had lost you."

"I thought I was dead," I admit, my own tears making it difficult to speak. "The Zoras saved me. I'm pretty much healed now…. I'm ready to leave and help you fight."

Rusl sits down beside me, his voice soft but firm. "Link, you've done more than anyone could ever ask. You've fought bravely and sacrificed so much. If you don't want to fight anymore, that's okay. You can rest now. We will find another way."

I stare at him, shocked by his words. "But Rusl, Hyrule is still in danger. Ganondorf is still out there. How can I rest when so many are suffering?"

Rusl sighs deeply, "Link, I understand your sense of duty. But you've given everything you have. It's not wrong to want peace. If you choose to step back, we will understand."

Conflicted, I look away, my mind swirling. "Isn't it my destiny to fight? Isn't it my responsibility to save Hyrule?"

"Destiny is a heavy burden, but it's also a choice. You are more than the hero of Hyrule. You are a person, with your own hopes and dreams. If you feel you must continue, we will support you. But if you decide to rest, we will support you just as strongly. Your worth is not determined by the battles you win, but by the good in your heart."

I feel tears sting my eyes as I absorb his words. The weight of my destiny, my duty, presses down on me, but so does the understanding that I am more than just a warrior. "I... I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm abandoning everyone if I don't fight, but I'm so tired. I'm scared."

His eyes soften, and he pulls me into a gentle embrace. "It's okay to be scared. It's okay to be tired. Whatever you choose to do, know that I'm proud of you."

That night, as I lay in bed, sleep came fitfully. My dreams are a swirling mix of memories and fears, but then a figure clad in the armor of ancient Hylian knights begins to take shape—a hero from the past.

"Link," the hero speaks, his voice echoing through the dreamscape. "You must come to the Sacred Grove deep in the woods, where the Master Sword once rested. There, you will find the guidance and strength you need."

I sit up in bed, sweating, the hero's words still echoing in my mind. I know what I have to do.

—

As we travel through the serene landscapes of Zora's Domain and into the dense, ancient forests of Hyrule, my mind is a whirl of thoughts and emotions. The lingering doubt gnaws at me—will I ever be strong enough to defeat Ganondorf? Can I truly protect those I care about?

Rusl seems to sense my inner turmoil and offers words of encouragement as we journey. "Link, every step you take, every challenge you face, you grow stronger. Trust in yourself and in the bonds you've forged. Remember, you're not alone in this fight."

His words bring some comfort, but the uncertainty remains. When we finally reach the Sacred Grove, the ancient trees towering above us, I feel a sense of awe and trepidation. The place where the Master Sword once rested is bathed in an ethereal light, a testament to its enduring power.

"This is where you carry on alone." he says, "I will send a raven as often as I can to keep you in touch with the outside world. I hope you find the answers you are looking for in there."

"Thank you, Rusl," I give him a tight hug. "Thank you for believing in me."

As I step into the clearing, I feel a presence—ancient and powerful. The hero from my dreams is waiting near the center pedestal, and while I know he is long dead, he has a solid appearance, brought forth by powerful magic.

He is clad in a blue tunic with long-sleeves, silver armor and a white surcoat adorned with a gold Triforce symbol. His hair is longer than mine, a lighter shade of blonde, and pulled back into a ponytail. He appears a few years older than me, and carries his own copy of the Master Sword slung over his back.

"Link," he turns to face me, his face serious. "The path of a hero is never easy, but within you lies the strength of all those who came before. I am here to help you embrace that power."

I smile nervously "Great, let's get started."