After telling the story of the Kokiri, many people were still unsure whether it was safe to work. Mutoh closed his eyes in contemplation and simply said, "Give him a chance. He hasn't let anyone down, yet."

This personal endorsement was what encouraged everyone to stay. During the construction, Bato patrolled the borders of the Lost Woods. People saw him every day, sword on hip, ready to defend. There were some concerns about the wolfos skull, but he explained that they were a deterrent to the wild animals not to enter. The piles of wood stocked upstarted to dwindle. Each person uses them for either the house, furniture, fences, or another thing that Bato planned to have on the farm. Weeks went by and not a peep from the woods. The people started to relax; more so whenever Bato stopped by to see how he was doing. He was a gracious host. He used his crops to make dinner and listened to the stories and suggestions that all the artisans made.

Occasionally, on some evenings, people could see Bato make his way to the back of the woods. He had a bench created and hauled towards the back of the property. It was peculiar that a farmer who lived on the side of death would be more inclined to go into it, rather than out. Over time, simple lamp posts started to pop up and light the farm. People were able to work a little longer with the lights on.

After three months. It was finished.

All the buildings were made with the same foundation: timber frame, posts, woven wants, stakes, and the concrete of the era, wattle, and daub. It was a sticky mixture made of wet soil, clay, sand, straw and animal dung.

The style was precisely what was seen in Castle Town: forbidden overhangs, dark wooden accents, intricate trim on the exterior, a half-timbered exterior façade with some brickwork, with a stone chimney. A stone-arched doorway graced both the entrance and the back door. The roof was thatched. Right next to the house was a small workshop area. Blacksmith's anvil, pottery, hunting equipment, everything that an outdoorsman would need. With some animal intestines, an oiled parchment paper served as windows. It wasn't glass, but it would have to do.

The first floor was made of wood. Wooden panelling was the style here. The living room was a nice table, surrounded by chairs. The fireplace rested on a wall, separating the living room from the kitchen. Cushions were stocked, to be used on boxes as impromptu seating arrangements for more guests. The kitchen had a large hearth in the corner. Pots and cauldrons hung from hooks, cupboards, and boxes for easy transport with some spices hung for cooking.

The second floor, graced with a hallway, had two rooms. One was the sleeping chamber. Wooden bedstead, simple headboard, feather mattress, some sheets, and blankets. There was a wardrobe in one corner. The other was an empty room, full of materials left over from construction that Bato needed to sort out later.

The wooden fence that was destroyed during the battle, was once again outlying the boundary of the property and this time it was well constructed. The wood interweaves with beams holding them together. There were two benches on the property. One was right outside the home. The other was on the outskirts of the Lost Woods. Bato did promise Saria that he would make one for her. There was an outhouse. A deep pit was dug, filled with straw, and a wooden commode chair was built. It was surrounded by four wooden walls and a door, with a straw roof to finish it off. Some carpenters wanted the toilet inside, but Bato vetoed it. "I rather have the waste collected outside than to have it smell the entire house, thanks."

The farm now had three fields: crops reaching from one end to another. Wooden fences separated each crop. The cart he used for transport was parked on the side of the house. The shed that held all his farming tools was torn down. A tiny farmhouse was in its place. It was the size of a medieval hut made of timber and stone. Near the river, two large wooden wash basins, a washing board, an empty jug and a clothesline were right near the river.

When Bato built his clothesline (consisting of a rope and two particular y-shaped wood posts) and some wooden pegs, people asked what it was. "It's to hang the laundry." People didn't know what he meant by that. Hang laundry? Why could he use a bush? By this time, everyone accepted that Bato could be eccentric.

The community that was brought together by this project celebrated with an impromptu lunch. Some people danced and sang, while others got the food ready. Bato made sure that there were enough plates and cutlery to go around. A lot of singing, dancing, and clapping to be had and by noon, everyone was seated for lunch. Bato gave his opening speech. "Thank you, everyone, for helping me with this giant project. I am truly blessed to have such people build me a home that will stand for years to come. Especially, I'd like to thank Mutoh and his men, as well as all the other friends who gave their talents and time to make this happen." Mutoh and the others had bright grins on their faces. There wasn't any problem catering to their ego a little. "So, enjoy yourselves! You've earned it!"

That evening, Saria came to the bench just as Bato was finished washing the dishes from the party. Seeing her, he smiled a little and sat down.

"That was a wonderful celebration."

"Too bad you couldn't join us. The invitation was open to everyone."

"That's very sweet. But, even if I was keen to join you, I couldn't."

He looked at her. She had a small frown on her face, looking at her knees. "How so?"

"If I leave the forest. I die."

"So, the curse is true, then?"

Saria didn't respond to that question. There was something more to that, but she wasn't forward in sharing. "That's okay. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"Really? I thought Hyrulians were always curious about everything and anything."

"You showed me the same courtesy before. This is just to return the favour."

The two sat silently for a moment. "The people that you were with. The ones who worked on creating a home for you. Does everyone live like that?"

"Are you asking if everyone dances the day away or if everyone is well-off?"

"I guess, the second one."

Bato sighed. "It would be a better place if all people lived like that. Working and receiving more than enough. Being able to not worry about having something to eat for your children. To have clothes, to be safe. But no. Unfortunately, the world is not that kind."

"The Kokiri shared everything. We are of one body: shared food. Shared love. Shared pain. Shared the forest."

"People are a lot less altruistic when they think about others."

"Altu-is-tic?"

"Oh, sorry," Bato laughed a little. "Selfless. Don't get me wrong. People can be selfless. But there aren't enough resources to go around."

Saria then asked Bato a question that shook him. "So, why can't people help other people? Shouldn't they do something about that?" This took Bato back to the beggar boy. He remembered the words he spoke to him. "I'll help you. I'll help you all. I swear it." He got up and straightened his clothes. "You're right. I should do something about that."

The Kokiri stared for a minute before quickly saying, "No, I don't mean you personally, Bato. I mean, everyone in general."

"And as I am now in abundance, I should give back. In Thanksgiving for the life received. Thanks for the idea."

"Glad I could help you." She smiled brightly before starting to fade away again. "Time's up, already. I'll get better with this. I want to stay longer next time."

"I'm sure you will." Bato turned, leaving the empty bench behind.

Bato was in Baza's office when he made his proposal. Baza gave him a strange look. "A community kitchen? Do you want funds to make a community kitchen? What even is that?"

Bato started to make his pitch. "Hyrulians have a moral obligation to help one another. Sharing the limited resources that we have. This community kitchen is one of those ways. It would be a place where less fortunate and desperate people come to have their fill. Find solace and comfort in a world that is beset by misery and darkness."

"You sound like one of those nuns down at the church." Baza stood up and walked around. He started to pace. "If you want to help the less fortunate, why not go there?"

"Because they can't or won't spare the resources on such a project. You can."

"Do you remember where you are, Bato? This is the commerce guild. We aren't in the business of being charitable. While I feel pity for the less fortunate, I also have a livelihood. So does every merchant in this city."

"Oh, of course. I understand that."

Baza was surprised. "Really? I mean, for years, the nuns would come here and make the same pity argument you just made. Unless you have something different."

"Well, I didn't come here for charity. I came here for a proposition."

The guild master started to smile. "Hah! I knew you had something! Now, tell me what it is."

"My reasoning and proposition go hand in hand, oddly enough. I'll start with the proposition. During construction on my farm, I was able to hunt down a lot, and I mean a lot, of wolfos. Pelts are good for making linens and clothing. I would like to put down all the wolfos pelts that I currently have as part of a payment."

"Everything?" Baza scratched his chin. "And how much do you have right now?"

"500."

"500. How did you hunt 500 wolfos?"

"During my hunts, the wolfos like to travel in packs. Sometimes five to ten wolfos could be there at a time. I had three months. You can do the math."

"I'll have someone to take a look at the pelts." Baza sat down on his chair and crossed his arms. "And the reason?"

"Everything in life can be considered a business. From the church to royalty, any organization or store that deals with interacting with the middle class. The less fortunate are future peasants willing to spend on goods and services provided by the guild. We don't know what their situation is now. Perhaps they're down on their luck and have the funds to try again. Maybe, their house got destroyed and are temporarily homeless. More often than not, some people just need the opportunity to prove themselves to society."

"What's your point?"

"My point is this: people have great dreams they want to fulfill. But fate has other ideas. You hand over a hot meal and a blanket, and they'll give you everything they have. Be it property, business, or people. And when they do, somehow, get out of that rut, you will be remembered."

Baza stared him down. "Are you sure you're a farmer? That's one of the most ruthless angles I ever heard to have towards any charity. You want to use this community kitchen to get to the people?"

Bato shrugged his arms. "It is the people who decide who is successful and who is not. You sponsor this community kitchen. You make it happen. It won't be only the poor that will look at you."

Baza knew what he was referring to. If the community kitchen was a success, most likely the nobles and influencers of Hyrule would want to get in on it. "We have a general meeting in a few days. While I'll have someone look at the pelts, I'll raise this idea with the others. But this reason must be reworked. We're businessmen. Not heartless bastards."

"But the majority of you guys are. That's all I ask." Bato said, turning to leave. "But not too long, Baza. If the guild doesn't sponsor this project, I'll find someone else who will."

Baza's look darkened as Bato took his exit. "Just who the hell are you, Bato?"

Bato was walking through the streets. He felt dirty.

It was the only angle he could use for Baza to take the proposition seriously. Feed into the collective ego of the guild. Earn some brownie points with the people and when it becomes a massive hit, the rich will want to flock in and get involved for their ends. Then, they wouldn't stop there, they would go after the guild to see if there are any other opportunities to be made to increase their public standing.

He saw the poor, as they always were. Sitting on the ground, asking for donations, ragged by the elements, in clothing that looked like they were going to tear at the seams. These people were suffering and the last time he checked, Hyrule didn't have soup kitchens for them to use. Hyrule was not immune to poverty.

So, he'll do it himself. Either with help or without. He'll find a way.

He was so focused on this that he almost ran into a pole. When he looked up, he saw himself at the Church of the Goddess. Maybe this was a sign to seek guidance from the goddesses. Or, most likely, they wanted to see how their precious 'little soul' was doing. It had been quite some time since he had checked in.

It was more than the Cathedral than it was a church. Pointed arches supported the structure, like a skeleton. Heavily stained-glass windows depicting the primordial goddesses and Hylia. In some windows was the creation story, others about a kingdom in the sky. Buttruces dotted periodically outside the church wall, with a gothic feel.

The inside was just as impressive. Brightly painted, it showed more artwork of the goddesses in all their splendor. It reinforced them as the benevolent protectors of the realm; the light that shines in the darkness. Blocks, carved by hand, were used as the material to build this majestic building. Flying buttresses supported the weight of the roof; the church kept a square shape, like all medieval architecture.

Three aisles with a regal red carpet. Half of the church had pews lined up neatly. The other half had the statues, an altar, and seats for the Royal Family and their entourage. Everything was obscenely ornate. In the centre were huge, tall statues of the three goddesses, and in the middle was a person-sized statue of Hylia.

A lady in plain white robes was sweeping the floor when Bato walked in. "Welcome to the Church of the Goddesses. How may I help you, today?"

"I'm here to pray," said Bato, looking wistfully at everything. "I haven't been to any churches of this size before."

"We are the biggest church in the kingdom." The lady put her broom on the side and walked over. "If you'd like, I can guide you to the Holy Statues of Our Ladies. You looked troubled. Perhaps they may impart wisdom upon you." With a grunt of affirmation, the lady guided him through the middle of the church. People of all social standing were there, kneeling and sitting in prayer. Some of them were mumbling prayers to the goddesses, both personal and liturgical. The people in the church seemed not to be bothered by anyone else. They were all in their bubble.

"The goddesses shine their light to all. There are no barriers to separating anyone. They all love us equally." The pair reached the foot of the altar. The iconography of the Triforce was more prominent now in everything. The candles, the pews, even the statues bore it. "I will leave you to prayer, sir. I hope that the goddesses will impart wisdom upon your troubled soul."

"Thank you." Bato kneeled beneath the altar, closed his eyes and held his hands in prayer.

Bato found himself in a familiar blank void. He wasn't an orb this time; he kept his body. He looked around pensively before a great ball of light appeared and gently floated to the ground. When it landed, the goddess Hylia stepped forward. Like before, she smiled gently at him. At once, he knelt. "Your Grace."

Hylia suddenly crossed her arms and scoffed. "Please, do stop this, Bato. I told you already that formalities are not necessary around me." She looked offended.

Getting up, he defended himself. "With respect, a divine being such as yourself must be deferred all the worship and glory that is due."

"I never said I wanted any of that, did I?" Hylia started to walk towards him, pointedly. "I didn't write in a book that I wish to be worshiped and adored. I didn't appear to people to demand sacrifices and obedience. I have, and I will always be, a helper to all. An intermediary between the Hyrulians and the Goddesses."

"So, like a saint."

"I suppose that word you used from your world would translate into 'mortal that sacrifices him or herself for the glory of the gods.' Or something like that."

"Yes. That's the gist. Very well," Bato bowed and acquiesced. "If that is your will, then who am I to argue? It shall be so, your Gra- I mean, Hylia."

She relaxed a little, smiling once more. "That's better. I see that the Goddesses played a mean trick on me again."

Bato knew what she was referring to. "Forgive me, Hylia, the risk of defying them was great."

"As it should be. They are the Goddesses of Creation, after all. If they'd willed it, you would have been erased from existence." Her voice took a more serious tone. "But still, to endow you with so many gifts at once. Is it any wonder that you've not been corrupted by it, at all?"

"I hold no ambition for power. All I want to do is live in this world."

No doubt she could sense liars, and he wasn't lying. He was a walking paradox of any other transferred soul. "How has your life been, so far?"

Bato was silent for a moment. He hesitated a little before speaking. "For the most part, it has been great. Living in a fantasy middle-aged world is unlike anything I've ever experienced. It made the suffering all worth it."

"But there are some things that you don't like about it."

"True. I've never killed anyone. I've never held such powers in my hand. I have knowledge that could revolutionize Hyrule; jump start it to a renaissance of technology. But, the most terrifying thing, is that I live in a world where all the actors and actresses are."

"Actors and actresses?" Hylia looked confused. "Are you treating your life as a play?"

"Yes and no," Bato said, equally. He could see a touch of displeasure on her face. "I did not mean to offend. I'll be happy to explain."

"The lives of all living things in Hyrule are a sacred thing, Bato. Please keep in mind that."

"I know. And I apologize again." Bato bowed before continuing, "I know about what the timeline will be. I can meet each player in this world. I've already met two of them. But I would rather not be involved in any struggles."

Hylia squinted her eyes, suspiciously. "You know what's about to happen? To what extent?"

"That depends on what era I'm in. To do so, I need to know what's happening in the wider world of Hyrule. Beyond Castle Town. The Domain, Death Mountain, the Temples. What is their status in my time?"

The goddess paused for a moment. She started to pace and talk to herself. "The goddesses have a non-interference rule. But they deigned to send you to Hyrule. You, who knows what has and what will happen. Your actions won't matter because it'll only create a new timeline. One that branches out, like all the others." She started to nod. "I can tell you."

"Really?"

"The goddesses themselves set precedent. They have interfered already with the flow of time. How you use this knowledge is up to you. Good or ill." She said the last part quietly.

"Then, I will live up to your expectations. Whatever they may be."

"We shall see." There was a brief silence between the two. The white void had nothing to show for itself apart from some rolling clouds in the background. "The hero had returned from the Sacred Realm. He had gathered the Spiritual Stones that opened the Door of Time, closing the gate. He relays all that has happened to the princess and the king."

"Child Era," Bato mumbled to himself.

"The King of the Gerudo, Ganondorf, has his plot exposed. The Hyrulians find a massive force of Gerudo and monsters on the outskirts of the kingdom. He attacks preemptively but is driven back by the Hyrulian Army and allies. The monsters are defeated. Thousands of soldiers have fallen."

"And Ganondorf?"

"Ganondorf survives the battle and retreats to the desert."

"Goddammit!" Bato yelled out. "So, he's still out there."

"What happens now is up to the mortals."

But Bato wasn't paying attention to Hylia. He was ruminating about his place in time. "Ganondorf should have been executed. Sent over to the arbiter grounds to await death. But he remains alive and at large. There's no way he would make a considerable play when all his resources have been wiped out. It'll be another hundred years before the Twilight Era events are set into motion." He smiled, grimly. "I'll be dead before then."

While he was mumbling to himself, Hylia couldn't help but watch in horrid fascination. Here was a man who held the power of the goddesses in his hands. He could conquer the world if he so chose. None of the goddesses would stop him. They have no personal stake in this timeline.

They did this all on a whim. The whim of the goddesses, of any god, is a dangerous thing.

"So, what will you do?" Hylia asked, hesitant about his answer. Bato could lie, but she would sense it all the same.

"Nothing, of course."

"N-Nothing?!"

"Yes."

"You have all the power and knowledge in the world. May I ask why?"

"I'm no hero. I have no responsibilities other than to myself and to Hyrule. My loyalty in the realm obliges me, so long as their interests align with my own. I'm a farmer. My only goal is to live comfortably."

"Then, what about the people around you? In the past four months, you've met all kinds."

"True. But I can't say I have any real attachment to them. They're more like, acquaintances. Some nice to have, but not necessary."

Hylia could see him speak these words. But what he speaks and what he feels are two different things. He acts like he is indifferent to relationships, but his heart yearns for them. He's afraid to fail again. He's afraid to get hurt, again. Hylia sees he is starting to care for the people around him. Why else would he have fought the bandits when he could easily run away? Why else would he desperately try to set up a community kitchen when it wasn't his problem to begin with? Why else would he be friends with a Sage who was all alone?

The goddess smiled inwardly. "So be it, then. I have given you the knowledge you sought. Whether you use it is up to you."

"Let it be so, according to your word." Bato bowed. Hylia pretended not to see that.

"When you leave, check your pocket. Consider it a gift for that community kitchen of yours. As I said, all life is sacred. Have care, less you lose your own." With that, the goddess disappeared, and the void receded.

When Bato opened his eyes, there was hardly anyone around him. The candles burned brightly, and the altar stood silent. Getting up, he noticed the lady from before. She smiled at him. "It seems that you have yourself an answer."

"How did you know?"

"I…just do." The lady walked off. Dusting himself off, he remembered Hylia saying something about checking his pocket. Reaching in, there was a white opal stone.

"That's nice. Wonder what's it for?" Bato smiled, as he pocketed the stone. It was already evening. Bato had a lot of stuff dumped on him. Now that he knew he was in the Child Era, he had one hundred years before the Twilight realm goes to shit. Hyrule wouldn't be his problem way before that. Tired from the day, he went into an inn. It wasn't bad as inns gone, but it wasn't good either. A stable boy is busy, taking horses to the stables. Bato found the entrance and found himself in a genuine medieval inn. The first clue was the smell. Mouldy food, urine and unhygienic practices were all the staples of the period.

Many tables for eating, and a fireplace. Rowdy crowds were all over, bumping into one another and celebrating an end to the working day. Bato went up to the front desk.

"You got a room available?"

"Twenty-five rupees."

Bato took the rupees out. He also took another twenty.

The innkeeper looked at him, annoyed. He slammed a key down. "It's twenty-five rupees, sir. I don't need the extra twenty."

"No, no, this twenty's for you." Bato took the key. Spotting the bar, he decided to get himself a drink before heading to bed. The innkeeper looked at him, disbelieving. By the time the man stammered so much as a thank you, Bato was already ordering some beer. Bato didn't even pay attention to anything but his drink. He wanted to forget about the day. What he did. What did he learn? How to go forward. For now, he just wanted to drink.

After three bottles, Bato felt buzzed. Shaking his head, he felt he was going to hurl. He rushed outside and emptied his stomach contents onto the ground. No one even took a second look; everyone was doing their thing. "This is some nasty stuff." He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and was about to turn in for the evening. That's when he heard a scream. He didn't know what compelled him to go, but he ran towards the sound.

In an empty alleyway, there were three rough-looking men with swords and armour. Each of them had a funny-looking haircut and were laughing hysterically. Among them was a little girl. She was wearing simple farm clothing and brown boots. Her clothing had a blue pattern right at the bottom and on her sleeves. She was wearing an orange scarf. Her redhead shook furiously.

"No!" She yelled. "I don't want to!"

"And what makes you think you have a choice?" one of the men, sneered at her while the others snickered. "I've been having a bad week, and you know what?" He grabbed a handful of the girl's hair, ruffling it up. She yelped in pain, tears streaming in her eyes. "I need to work out all this pent-up frustration. Don't worry, kid! We'll have a good time!"

The girl yelled even more. "No! Daddy! Daddy!"

"Daddy's not here, girlie! We'll keep you company, though!" Like a bunch of hyenas, they kept on tormenting the girl.

"Hey, HEY!" The three men turned around. The little girl looked at Bato, with pleading eyes. "What are you shit heels doing to that kid?!"

"Nothing that concerns you! This is your only warning." A man brandishes a knife. "You're going to empty your pockets and turn away-"

"Run." The man holding the girl's hair let go. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

"What?"

"That's the man!" The man pointed at Bato. "That's the man who took out Bobsa!"

The other two thugs looked at Bato and laughed. "This scrawny guy?! You drank a lot of booze tonight! There's no way-"

"Run, NOW!" The man ran in the opposite direction, getting the hell out of dodge. The remaining thugs looked at each other.

"One of him. Two of us." They started to advance. Suddenly, they were both hit with a wave of pressure. Dark sparks crackled in the space. Dropping their swords, the men tried to move but couldn't do anything. Bato walked towards them; the men's mouths started to foam. They started to choke. He was about to kill them when he saw the girl, standing in the alleyway, scared for her life. She was clutching her little heart in fear.

"H-Hel-" At once, Bato's blood lust disappeared. He calmed himself down. Looking upon the comatose men, he started to walk towards the girl. She flinched and hyperventilated for a moment before realizing that the man who knocked out the bandits was kneeling towards her.

"I'm so deeply sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" It was only for a moment before the girl started to sob and hugged him.

"TH-Than-Huhhh." The girl continued to sob, as Bato held her tightly in his arms.

The girl was quiet as they made their way to the closest guard tower. At once, one of the guards came running over. "Malon! You're okay!"

The girl nodded quietly. Bato then asked, "Do you know her?"

"She lives with her father, Talon, at Lon Lon Ranch. He was making a delivery to the castle when she went missing."

Of course, Bato already knew who Malon was. The kindhearted and responsible girl, she took care of the horses. One of note: Epona. She also teaches Epona's Song to Link. She had a minor role in Link's journey in Hyrule, but still was an important part.

The guard took Malon by the hand. "Your father's at the front gate. He's been worried sick about you!" Malon nodded her head again in silence.

The guard took notice. "Malon, you're never this quiet." He turned to Bato. "What happened to her?"

"She was attacked by three bandits. One ran from me while I knocked the other two out."

The guard looked at him, stupefied. Then, to Malon who proceeded to nod her head. "You'll have to give me a full report. My partner will be taking your testimony while I return Malon to her father." The other guard stepped towards them.

"Yeah, yeah." Bato waved the guard off. He was annoyed that he had to stay up later to give another guard a report. But he was happy he was able to save Malon. The young girl and the guard headed towards the town entrance. She suddenly broke free from the guard's grip, ran and hugged Bato's leg.

"Malon!"

"It's fine," Bato assured the guard. He knelt and patted Malon on the head. She was silently starting to cry. He whispered in her ear, "If you get the chance to see him… Tell the fairy boy I said hello." At once, she stopped crying and looked at Bato. He gave a small wink. Blushing, she gave a bright smile and ran back to the guard. As he walked the two off, Bato wondered what would happen to Malon now. This was not something she could easily sleep off. This core memory would likely haunt her for the rest of her life — now.

Bato took out the Oval Stone. It shone in the torchlight. "Truly, I am living in a different timeline.