#skys shadow

It was to save Hyrule. That was why he kept going-- why he kept pushing forward. Why he couldn’t simply go back to his life in Kokiri Forest, as much as he might’ve wanted to. It didn’t matter that he was scared, or lonely, or that it wasn’t fair for him to bear the burden alone. It was his destiny to save Hyrule, and the wheels of time weren’t going to wait for him to come to terms with it.

That was what Link kept telling himself every time he ended up in a situation where he wanted to run. When every shadow seemed like a monster around the corner, when the unwelcome notions of simply giving up crossed his mind, or when he didn’t know where to go.

He had to keep pushing forward because there was no other choice.

Rumors of the eye of truth had sent him on a wild search around Kakariko, and eventually down into the depths of the well. It was what he had to do-- he needed the eye to see through the illusions in the Shadow Temple-- he needed it to defeat Ganondorf.

....But the well was dark and musty and filled with monsters twice his size. There was dried blood caked on the floors, and eerie whispers that seemed to come from the walls. Navi repeatedly warned him of traps that his own eyes couldn’t see...

And he was scared.

But he had to keep going forward. Doing what he had to. Even when he found himself locked in dim room, alone save for the large, pale, arms that protruded from the floor. Even if those arms had clawed hands and every instinct screamed out against going near them. He had to keep moving forward.

Even when those slimy hands grabbed his face and wouldn’t let go, when through the fingers he could see a grotesque form rising from the dirt and slugging towards him. Even when he struggled wildly to get free, even when more hands rose to hold him in place, he had to move forward, he had to get away, he had to live.

Instinct kicked in and he swung his sword as best he could, screaming out in desperation. His voice cracked, but his blade met with one of the arms, and it writhed away. He struggled more, heart pounding as that thing crept closer. Another arm sank back into the dirt. Two more. They had his legs. He couldn’t run. But he had to run. He had to get away.

He was scared and he wanted to go home.

The thing was on top of him now, its head slowly lowering down to his level, meeting wide eyes with empty voids. It leaned in closer, jaw dislodging, growing wider and wider, closer and closer.

Navi shouted his name, bopping against the monster’s forehead, and in that instant Link snapped out of his daze. His sword pierced through slimy flesh before he even realized what was happening, and in an instant the monster fell with a groan. The hands loosened and receded back into the dirt from whence he came. And Link stayed where he was.

Alive.

He took a shaky breath, brought his knees to his chest, and hid his face. All alone in that dark and musty place, with no warmth besides the glow of his fairy, who landed on his head and chimed sympathetically. He had to keep moving forward. He had to save Hyrule. He was the only one who could.

And yet...

“Navi, I wanna go home...” His voice shook while he spoke, but he didn’t cry. He couldn’t cry. That wasn’t part of his destiny.

He had to shake his head, take a deep breath, and rise to his feet. He had to keep moving forward.

Fortunate was he that their destination was in sight, but he knew that the distances could warp in settings like these. Something that looked very close could be miles off yet.

“I have a fur coat I can very easily don for Kilvas.” Nailah retorted, shifting, as if to prove her words, “Clearly you’ve never been in the desert at night. Now, let us pick up the pace. I wouldn’t want the pup to be uncomfortable for much longer.” And with that she took off at full speed.

“I’m cone sold sober.” Tibarn slurred, frowning. “Cancha see that I’m playin’ strip poker with Janaff?” He wasn’t the drunkest he’d ever been... but he was still pretty drunk.