Chapter 10: Magic and Old Friends
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Author notes:
Ultima-owner: Both of them have their plans to subdue the other, but I'm still unsure what path I want to take for the true villain of this arc.
MonsterKing: I'm glad you like the story. I hope you like the ideas that I have come up with in this chapter and the next few.
Greywolf025: Wow thank you so much for the wonderful review. I'm very glad you are enoying the story so far. I do hope to keep meeting the standard of Link being a respectful and humble fighter who will eventually pick a lady to stay with or maybe bring back to Hyrule with him.
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Link stood in Kurotsuchi's lab, carefully laying out his belongings under the captain's watchful eye. Kurotsuchi's curiosity was unfiltered, and his eyes glinted with a scientific fervor that was both intense and unsettling. As Link rummaged through his possessions, his gaze settled on a small, emerald-green gem encased in a delicate, gold frame—Farore's Wind.
"This one is special," Link said, lifting the gem for Kurotsuchi to see. "It's called Farore's Wind. It lets me set a point to return to in an instant, no matter how far I am—almost like a more simple version of teleportation. The spell is only good for one use before it needs to be reset, but it's saved me more times than I can count."
Kurotsuchi tilted his head, intrigued. "Teleportation? Fascinating. And it doesn't require any spiritual energy?"
"No, just the power within the gem," Link replied. He held it up, channeling his focus on the green glow within. "I can demonstrate it for you if you'd like."
With a small smirk, Kurotsuchi gestured for him to proceed. "By all means. But I'll be watching every detail, so don't try to hide anything."
Link chuckled under his breath, preparing himself for the spell. He raised Farore's Wind, the gem glowing softly in response to his focus. "I'll leave a mark here," he explained, setting the spell to the center of the lab. The green light spread in a small, shimmering circle on the floor before fading.
"Now, let's take a walk." Link gestured for Kurotsuchi to follow, and the two exited the lab, leaving the mark behind. They moved a fair distance through the halls of the squad barracks, with Kurotsuchi noting every step with a keen eye.
Once they'd reached a satisfactory distance, Link glanced back at Kurotsuchi, who simply raised an eyebrow, awaiting the demonstration. Smiling, Link lifted the gem, channeling Farore's power once again. In an instant, he vanished, disappearing in a gust of wind, swirling in a flash of green light.
Back in Kurotsuchi's lab, the same green light suddenly glowed, and with a rush of wind, Link appeared precisely at the mark he'd left. He straightened up, unaffected, as if he'd only taken a simple step.
Kurotsuchi's eyes were alight with fascination, his mind clearly spinning with possibilities. "Remarkable," he murmured, approaching Link. "And it requires no complex incantations, only a simple activation. You carry some remarkable tools, Hero. This gem could revolutionize our understanding of travel and spatial manipulation."
Link nodded, feeling a little proud as he pocketed Farore's Wind. "It has its limits, but it's helped me get out of dangerous situations more times than I can count. If it could be used here without needing my own magic, maybe it's something that could be shared."
Kurotsuchi's fingers steepled thoughtfully as he studied Link, his mind racing with ideas. "Perhaps. If I could learn more about your items, there might be a way to adapt the principles behind your magic to Soul Society's spiritual energy. The possibilities are endless."
Link smiled, relieved to see Kurotsuchi's focus shifting to experimentation. He could only imagine what the scientist might come up with if he got serious.
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As Link took a break, he sat near the back of Kurotsuchi's lab, gazing down at the Ocarina of Time cradled in his hands. The scientist was engrossed in testing new ideas, muttering to himself as he jotted notes and adjusted strange devices. Link, left to his thoughts, quietly began to play a few familiar songs on the ocarina.
He played Zelda's Lullaby, the soft notes bringing back memories of the princess who had sent him on his journey. Her kindness and wisdom filled the melody, yet they felt distant now, unreachable. Next came Saria's Song—lighthearted, lively, a tune that brought a pang of bittersweet nostalgia as he thought of his friend from the forest.
Then he paused, his fingers hovering over the ocarina's holes as he considered what to play next. He thought of Epona, his loyal steed, and the girl who had taught him her song with a warmth and friendship that had carried him through many a journey. Gently, he played Epona's Song.
The soothing, familiar tune echoed through the lab, filling it with the gentle promise of friendship and loyalty. As the final notes lingered in the air, a sudden alarm blared from the lab's many machines. Link looked up, startled, as Kurotsuchi spun around, eyes narrowing at the unexpected commotion. Before either of them could react, a dark, swirling portal appeared in front of Link, casting shadows across the room.
From within the portal emerged a Hollow—but it was unlike any Hollow Link had seen in Soul Society. Its form was that of a powerful, majestic horse, with a mask over its face and faint red markings that seemed to shimmer as it approached. The creature stepped through the portal with a calm, graceful gait, its hooves echoing on the cold, sterile floor of the lab.
Link's breath caught as he instinctively raised the ocarina to his lips, letting out a soft, questioning note of Epona's Song. The Hollow horse flicked its ears and walked over to him, pressing its masked muzzle against his shoulder and then nuzzling the ocarina, as if to say, Yes, it's me. Though altered, the Hollow's gestures and presence were unmistakably that of Epona.
Kurotsuchi's intrigued gaze darted between the horse Hollow and Link, his eyes alight with fascination. "A Hollow… summoned by a song?" he murmured, edging closer. "It's rare, extremely rare, for a Hollow to willingly manifest in such a controlled manner—particularly in a place as secured as my lab. And yet, it appears to recognize you. Remarkable."
But Link hardly heard the captain. His attention was fully on Epona, her form both familiar and strange. Though touched by this world's dark power, her loyalty remained undiminished. He whispered, "Epona… you came."
Epona nickered softly, rubbing her masked head against him in recognition. Link stroked her neck, his heart swelling with the comfort of an old friend's presence even in this distant, unfamiliar world.
Kurotsuchi's expression turned pensive as he observed the silent reunion. "Fascinating. I hadn't considered the possibility of interdimensional attachments so resilient that they could summon beings across realms," he muttered, scribbling rapidly on his clipboard.
Link looked up at the scientist, feeling a new resolve. "Captain Kurotsuchi, this bond—what you see here, with Epona—isn't just a chance occurrence. The ocarina… it holds a connection to those I hold dear. That connection may have been the key that brought her here."
Kurotsuchi gave a satisfied nod, intrigued by the implications. "Then it would seem your so-called 'magic' holds more power than we originally calculated, Link. Such connections, strengthened by sound frequencies or what you call 'songs,' could very well bridge gaps in reality… I'll need to make further observations."
Link grinned as he looked back at Epona, feeling the weight of his journey lighten, if only for a moment. He had found an ally here, one who had followed him across realms. With Epona by his side, perhaps the path ahead in this new world would be less lonely, and the memories of his old life would continue to guide him forward.
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After receiving permission from the Head Captain, Link barely waited for the ink to dry on the document before he was on Epona's back, guiding her out of Kurotsuchi's lab and into the open corridors of Soul Society. Epona responded to the space with a spirited energy, her hooves thundering against the polished floors as she carried Link down the hallways and into the open paths of Seireitei.
The rush of wind against his face, the rhythm of Epona's gallop—it was exhilarating and familiar, bringing back memories of Hyrule's fields and forests. He felt a wave of nostalgia, a reminder of the wild freedom he had once enjoyed in his homeland. As they tore through the various divisions, the air seemed to fill with a renewed sense of joy that spread like wildfire.
Soul Reapers around him stopped in their tracks, their eyes widening at the sight of a Hollow horse racing through their world, ridden by the rumored Hero they had heard so much about. A few even gaped at the undeniable aura of happiness that surrounded Epona, a warmth so unusual for any Hollow, making them hesitate with curiosity instead of alarm.
Link guided Epona's path with a subtle pull, and the mare responded instantly, her pace quickening as they approached Squad 8's barracks. Kyōraku and Nanao were waiting in a nearby training yard, and as soon as they saw Link and Epona approaching, both looked up, their expressions shifting from shock to wonder.
"Ah, now this is quite a sight, Link!" Kyōraku laughed, his voice tinged with awe as he watched the majestic creature come to a graceful halt beside him. "You truly do bring surprises everywhere you go."
Link dismounted, a wide grin on his face, and gently stroked Epona's neck. "This is Epona. She's been with me through a lot… I wanted you to meet her."
Nanao, adjusting her glasses as she took in the gentle Hollow horse before her, seemed entranced. "Epona, you said? How… extraordinary." She tentatively reached out a hand, and Epona leaned into it, nuzzling her with surprising affection.
Kyōraku's eyes sparkled with mischief as he nudged Nanao. "How about it, Nanao? A ride?"
Nanao's cheeks flushed slightly, but she nodded, climbing onto Epona with careful grace. Epona, ever gentle, adjusted to her new rider, and soon enough, Nanao found herself smiling at the experience. After a brief ride around the yard, she returned to Kyōraku and dismounted, patting Epona's shoulder with clear affection.
When Kyōraku took his turn, he laughed heartily as Epona picked up speed. "I think I might get used to this! Link, I've got to hand it to you, this is one of the most unusual joys we've had here in a while."
As Kyōraku dismounted and patted Epona's side with a warm smile, Link felt a surge of pride. Epona's presence here wasn't just comforting for him—it was a bridge, a tangible connection to Hyrule. With her by his side, he felt ready for whatever lay ahead in Soul Society, and he could tell that his friends, old and new, could sense the same strength in her.