THE HERO’S SHADE. / pinktothepast.
“No, no- you don’t understand… I- I’m being selfish-” the shade insisted, words muffled by choked sobs as they tried to reign in control of their emotions. “I defied the gods to remain in this world.” All of this was wrong- they’d selfishly remained here so they could be remembered in the history books through the Hero of Twilight, and now they were passing on their regrets, their pains, their self-blame onto their descendant. It was exactly the opposite of what they wanted to do and it hurt knowing that; the shade barely noticed that Link didn’t seem to mind.
A deep breath, and the gentle words echoed through the despair. We’re family. You are part of this story. The shade took a moment to ponder those words. Being alone for so long, and only having gotten the smallest taste of family, the love a parent holds for their child- these feelings never got the chance to become part of the fabric of the shade’s identity. Until now.
“Family- it was such a fleeting feeling…”
The next in the line to be born with the Crest, the Triforce of Courage awakening within Link- he’d inherited these things. A piece of the shade would have been left behind regardless of whether they had faded or remained. But with their words, they believed they could ease the pain wrought by the bearer of the Hero’s Spirit. That was why they chose to be here.
The hero’s burden can never be erased, the shade reminded themself. It is foolish to protect him from what cannot be undone.
And so they bit their lip, the tears managing to slow for long enough to clear their head of rushing thoughts. It was now or never. This was the moment where they had to speak with complete honesty, hiding very little now behind the shadow of their illusion.
“I… let me explain- I was once, as you are now, trapped b-by destiny, cursed by my blood to bear this burden…” the shade finally admitted, their voice trembling from shame of letting their emotions show like this. “… I believed, the less you knew of me and what I endured, the better, for you have already suffered much.”
The wind stopped, the echoes stopped. All was still as the shade spoke.
“But when the moment is right… I shall tell you everything,” the shade conceded. “If this is our story… we must write it together.”
(And maybe then, they told themself, we will not be forgotten.)
link was quiet for a moment, the ceasing of the surrounding ambience not lost on him. he had never considered his fate a curse, despite it all. despite the scars marring his body, despite the screams, both human and shadow beast, that plagued his nightmares, despite the literal dark curse placed upon him to confine him to his lupine form, he never once thought to place the blame upon the spirits, the gods, or his ancestors. the world was in danger, hyrule was falling, and he, for whatever reason, had been seen fit to save it. so he would. because the idea of more lives being lost, the idea of more people suffering, it was unthinkable. he’d always been like that. it was likely why he always took to doing odd jobs and favors outside his usual work back in ordon. if he could burden something for someone, no matter how heavy or how light, he would.
“ together... ” he echoed softly. they had done so much for him. he was lucky, truly, to have their help and support. he wouldn’t have been able to grow into the person the spirits told him he had to be if it weren’t for the shade’s teachings.
“ what do you mean ? ” he asked after a long pause. “ by ‒ by being trapped ? or cursed ? b’cause i... i don’t think of it like that. ‘s just fate. this is what i’m meant to do... ”
a memory surfaced as he spoke, prompting him to trail off. it was of the first time he returned to his hylian body, having restored the light of the guardian spirit of the faron woods. his old, well-worn ordonian clothes had been missing, and in their place was a sturdy green tunic with brass chainmail as a protective layer underneath. faron had spoken, then. the green tunic that is your garb once belonged to the ancient hero chosen by the gods... their power is yours. their’s is the true power that slept within you.
he felt his body go cold, and he immediately felt a fool for failing to connect the dots sooner. they were the ancient hero faron had spoken of, weren’t they ? the one who had given him gifts of strength, of courage, of destiny. they sat beside him now, after bestowing him with the last of their secret skills. after bestowing him with more than what already lie in wait in their shared blood.
“ i... i hope you will tell me one day. ” he redirected the conversation, out of distraction from his own train of thought. “ about what you’ve been through. it’d only be right for be to return the favor. of supportin’, i mean. after everythin’ you’ve done for me. ”
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