Kazeo Shizai

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The convention was finally over.

After hours of crowds, photos, and laughter while dressed as Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, I finally returned home, completely exhausted. I'd already changed into comfortable clothes, but my worn brown satchel still rested across my shoulder as I unpacked the souvenirs and props I'd collected throughout the day.

The last thing I pulled from the bag was the Ocarina of Time.

I smiled to myself, turning the blue instrument over in my hands. It wasn't magical—just a carefully crafted replica I'd saved up for. Even so... holding it always made me feel strangely at peace.

A cold shiver crawled down my spine.

The lights flickered.

Silence.

Then—

CRACK.

A glowing fracture raced across the floor beneath my feet.

"W-What...?"

I barely had time to stumble back before the ground shattered apart.

"NO—!"

The floor vanished beneath me.

I dropped into an endless abyss, my terrified scream swallowed by the darkness. The Ocarina nearly slipped from my grasp, but I instinctively clutched it tightly against my chest while my satchel was violently ripped from my shoulder, only for the strap to catch around my arm and jerk painfully against it.

I spun helplessly through the void.

Sharp fragments of stone scraped across my back and tore through my sleeves, leaving burning cuts across my skin. Another jagged rock slammed into my ribs hard enough to force the air from my lungs.

"Gah...!"

I couldn't breathe.

Everything hurt.

I reached upward, desperately stretching toward the shrinking circle of light above me—but it disappeared, leaving only endless darkness.

"Please... someone..."

There was no answer.

The portal twisted violently, hurling me from one wall of glowing crystal to another. My shoulder struck first with a sickening crack before I bounced away, blood dripping from a cut above my eyebrow. My vision blurred. My ears rang. I couldn't tell which way was up anymore.

Then gravity returned.

CRASH!

I hit solid stone with terrifying force.

Pain exploded through my entire body. My satchel cushioned part of the impact, but not enough. My ankle twisted beneath me, my palms scraped raw against the rough ground, and warm blood slowly ran down the side of my face.

The Ocarina was still there.

Still clutched tightly in my trembling fingers.

I tried to move.

Nothing.

A weak gasp escaped my lips as tears welled in my eyes. Every breath burned, every muscle screamed in agony. I could only curl around the Ocarina, shaking uncontrollably as the unfamiliar silence surrounded me.

Alone.

Injured.

Lost in a world where humans didn't exist.

And no one knew I was gone.

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Would you read this if I turned it into a full AO3 fic? 👀