A Unique Writing Corner

“That was weird,” Wars kept walking, map in hand. “The Princess acted like she knew us but...we don’t know her?”

“Something’s off for sure,” The smithy spoke up.

“I think I see the house!” Wind called.

It was a small quaint house, with a couple signs in unreadable writing on it, one having a bunny symbol. They all looked at each other until Sky went and knocked, rolling his eyes at their hesitance. A comedic sounding crash rattled the wooden door, and then the door swung open, nearly taking out the poor Knight of Skyloft. Ravio! Wait, Ravio? The purple hooded merchant nodded as if expecting a large group at his door. “Ah yes, come in, come in.”

“Um, sir, we—“

“Drop the formality, will you? You’re customers, yes, but very welcome customers!” Ravio grinned underneath the shadow of his hood and ushered them inside.

“Apologies, but we aren’t here to buy anything,” Time said in his no-nonsense tone.

“Oh? Not even a magic rod? I promise everything in here is worth every rupee! You can even rent something if you’re unsure, or your wallet’s a little more empty than usual~! But you’re esteemed guests, of course so don’t tell Mr. Hero, but I think a discount might be in order.”

“Ravio,” Warriors cut in, and the others blinked at the name, confused. “Is ‘Mr. Hero’ here?”

“Of course not! That would be far too easy. Look if you’re enacting some mischief, I commend you. But I also cannot betray my most close and faithful customer without compensation! Sky, last time you were asking about your cape, I think I brewed up something nice! It won’t easily tear—mind you, it doesn’t guarantee a complete protection—but I really outdid myself this time.”

Sky mouthed a help to the captain, furrowing his eyebrows, but Wars, though knowing the merchant from the past didn’t know why Ravio knew the skyloftian’s name nor why he was talking about this false past interaction. “Oh, don’t look at me like that! I wouldn’t ruin your precious cape, no, no, that would be astoundingly new for me. Alright it should come to about 200 rupees? Mind you I was considering a thousand but I like you so...”

“I’ve never met you,” Sky replied bluntly. “Also, it’s a sailcloth.”

Ravio stilled, setting down the glass of solution on the table. “Ah, I see. So it is true. Does Ravio, ring a bell?”

Time raised his hand. The merchant nodded absently. “Mask, yes, hello. And I know of the Captain. But anyone else?”

The silence was deafening.

Ravio deflated. “Well, perhaps I might be persuaded to give you Link’s location. Or at least, where I think he might be. But that does demand compensation. I will need 300 rupees.”

“What.” Four blinked.

“Did you not hear, good sir? Actually, no, I’ll bring it down to 200 rupees, just for you.”

Wars fished out the rupees, surprised the merchant didn’t ask for more. “Here you go. Just, tell us please.”

“Cucco Ranch is where he frequents,” He said cheerfully. “Or Lake Hylia! Oooh, or he might be off travelling.”

“That’s...not very helpful,” Wind frowned.

“Well, it is what I know.”

“Thank you, Ravio,” Warriors shook his head but smiled at him, and ushered the others back out.

What was going on??

____________________________

A mer sat waiting in the waters, licking blood off his teeth from the prey he had caught earlier. There was a sort of haze in his head, something dampening his thoughts and pressing on his emotions. He wondered his name briefly and the thought almost tapered off but...he kept hearing Link in his ears so he accepted that as his name.

You serve Lord Ganon, and only him.

The voice almost sounded like his own. He looked around but no one else was there to speak. He swam up slowly, hearing footsteps.

Armoured figures walked nearby, confused voices almost mixing in with each other. Link observed them. They looked...vaguely...

They want to hurt you. But they don’t notice you yet. Kill them.

They...want to hurt him?

But why?

He wanted to observe for a little longer.

He allowed himself to breach the water’s surface for a little bit. They all looked confused and concerned, but not at him. “Why...here? There’s no shelter or anything,” A boy with fluffy brown hair looked around. “I don’t get it.”

“Unfortunately, no amount of mulling over it will give us the answers we need,” A tall one-eyed man replied back.

The group sat in uncomfortable silence for a little bit. “He was definitely scamming us,” The short one with the green headband grumbled.

You serve Lord Ganon, Link.

He clutched his head for a moment as the voices yelled into his ears, causing his head to ring with the statement. He bit back any noise though and followed the group. They were talking about something...could they be wanting to hurt him.

Do not disobey.

He didn’t like this voice. He was about to swim away, when the pain in head doubled tenfold. He cried out and flinched when the group whirled around to look at him. Kill them, his head whispered.

“It’s a mer!” A boy with sandy curls exclaimed.

“It looks like it’s hurt,” The short boy from before murmured.

“Wait, the Hero of Legend was said to have taken many different forms. Is it a stretch to say this could be one of them?”

“I’m willing to try anything at this point.”

“Link?” The one-eyed man crouched to meet his eyes.

How...how did they know his name? He bared his teeth but put a hand up to his head when it still throbbed.

“We mean no harm, we jist wanna talk,” A man with dusky grey markings on his face held up his hands.

The pain will go away if you kill them.

He shook his head at them, moving to swim away. “Wait! We won’t hurt you!”

“Well, it might not be Link, traveller.”

“What if it is?”

The voice resumed in his head, chanting until the pain and the volume coalesced and he felt a hand grab his wrist as he began to sink, the world fading around him.

______________________________

The mer opened his eyes once more. A fire was nearby, the group from before sitting around it. He was still in the lake, just...in a different location. They hadn’t noticed he was awake. Fear curled tightly around his gut.

“Letter sent?” A man with a blue scarf gripped the log beneath him tightly.

“Yup,” The dusky grey markings guy drawled. “You’s gotta stop worryin’, or yer gonna give yerself a headache. If he’s a hero, don’t ya think he can look after ‘imself jist as well?”

“Well, that’s not what I’m worrying about. I just...this princess and Ravio was so sure that we knew them well. And they knew our names. What if we...have...forgotten them somehow?”

“Camp does feel...quieter than usual,” The one they called traveller said, averting his eyes and finding Link staring at them. “Oh, Link, you’re awake!”

He hissed at the attention and then dove under the comforting waters.

He couldn’t let go of the pain, the insistence he served this Lord Ganon, and that he needed to kill these folk.

They didn’t chase after him though. They let him stay there and resumed their serious conversation, but nothing was said that interested him. The night dragged on. For some reason, his heart refused him leaving. He didn’t want the voice to return either.

He was forgetting something.

This group...they...

Will betray you.

He wasn’t certain they would...after all, they should’ve killed him or hurt him when he was asleep then, but he was unharmed.

Get out of my head.

Hah. No. You will learn to serve.

“I’m here,” A woman with bright blue eyes and a familiar determined expression arrived, accompanied by knights.

Oh. Did they call the guards to take care of him then?

“Thank you so much, Your Highness,” One of them bowed.

“Again, you’re welcome to call me Fable. In fact, please do,” Fable told them exasperatedly. “Now, you said you found...Link as a mer?”

“We think so,” The blue-scarf Hylian said stiffly.

“Well, yes, Link can take the form of a mer, he should’ve by now come out and greeted you properly,” Fable frowned and then found him there. “Link?”

He glared at her reflection in the waters. She rushed over, dropping to her knees on the grass and she looked...concerned. There was something warm in deep blue eyes. “Link, you’re alright. You can come out now.”

Come out? Was she crazy?

He just glared at her, hoping she would get the message.

“This isn’t funny, love,” She tried. “Even I know when a joke goes too far and too long.”

He tilted his head at her. So many things about that sentence confused him. And that confusion melded slowly into some sort of twisted anger, he thought was slightly unfounded—though this could be a commander hoping to slaughter him or sell him for rupees!—No, this rage wasn’t his. But he felt it sting his eyes, grip his heart. And without thinking he lunged at her, wrapping his clawed fingers around her neck. Cries of “Fable” rang throughout the area and the guards surged, tearing him off and pinning him to the ground before he could do anything else. Fable looked at him, eyes wide, as one of them raised a weapon. “No! Stop!”

“Your Highness, he’s a threat,” One of the guards said calmly and a spear poked at the mer’s neck.

He struggled, gasping for air though it wasn’t coming to him. “I order you to stop,” Fable demanded. “He’s not in his right mind. Your job is to protect me, not to kill him.”

Kill kill kill kill—

He bit into one of the soldier’s hands and felt satisfaction at the yelp it caused, crimson spraying the grass below them.

“Sometimes protecting means—“

“You have orders, soldiers,” A steely voice cut through the clearing—blue scarf’s.

They let him go, some fearful, some baffled and immediately stepped in front of Fable to guard her. He was fine with that. He crawled his way back towards the waters, wheezing.

“Link,” She said sadly. “I know you don’t recognize me now. But...I’m Zelda? Your princess?”

Once again he felt like there were gaps in his memory. The name sounds so close...

A beat.

“Z..elda?” A melody sung from his throat, shaping her name and it sounded like...like...

He was shoved deeper into the waters. He wrestled with the perpetrator, only to see blood seeping into the waters and a long spear hilt drove into his shoulder. Pain laced every breath, every movement.

The Hyrulian crest was engraved into the blade he realized with nausea was sticking out behind him.

He heard a muffled scream from above and he reached but the darkness soon smothered him.

___________________________________________________________

Something was covering his eyes.

He moved the fabric, surprisingly dry, tossing it aside.

Link—no he was the veteran now, right?--sat up slowly, wearily, feeling as if he had been ran over by a horse or something. A hand was gently carding through his hair and stopped when he was halfway up.

“Are you with me?”

Zelda was there, bags under her eyes, concern etched into her expression.

“Yeah,” He told her, and uncertainly continued, “I remember...Ghirahim...and I remember trying to hide from the others?”

“They truly have forgotten you, and I, and Ravio,” She murmured.

“Oh.”

There was some sort of mark on her neck, a bruise and he asked, “What...? Are you okay, Zel?”

“This?” She seemed to know what he was talking about. “Yeah. You had become a mer and attacked me. Why you were lost in that form, I don’t know.”

Shame flooded his veins. He attacked her. “I’m--”

“If you’re about to apologize I will smack you.”

He laughed and then wheezed. His shoulder burned.

“Try not to strain yourself,” Zelda told him. “One of my soldiers—whom has just been put in the dungeons and stripped of his career—stabbed you against my orders.”

“Idiots, the lot of them,” The vet said but averted his gaze.

“Incompetent some of them may be but we need them,” The princess sighed. “Though, if any one of them hurts you again, I will punish them more severely.”

“They still have Agahnim’s whispers in their minds, don’t they?” Legend murmured.

“I don’t know for certain,” Zelda closed her eyes and breathed.

Legend’s stomach churned. Was...was there a way for all of them to remember him again? What even happened in order for them to do so?

“Listen...Now, they know you mean them no harm. They know you’re like them. I know it must be hard but can you continue with them here, until we can figure something out?”

“I can stay with them but Zel, there’s a powerful enemy out there. He’s the one who made me forget everything. I don’t know if fighting like this is a good idea.”

“I trust you,” The princess nodded.

He left the infirmary as soon as he could to go confront his brothers who now called him a stranger.

______________________________________________________________

“So, you’re saying, we’ve met before. In fact, you were there this whole time but we’ve somehow forgotten you?” Time asked, tone and expression unreadable.

Legend curled his fists around his tunic. “Yes...we agreed upon calling me the veteran of sorts and Legend.”

Sky frowned. “I’m sorry...”

Wild had his hood up, and he was tapping his foot restlessly. The vet’s heart clenched. It was no secret the other had past experiences with amnesia. “Nah, don’t apologize,” The vet dismissed. “I’m just glad you haven’t tried to kick me out of the group again.”

Hyrule winced. The vet shrugged. “Champion, you have your slate, right?”

Wild flinched. “Oh, uh, yeah, why?”

“There should be pictures of me in there somewhere, regardless of memories.”

The champion perked up and unhooked the Sheikah Slate off his waist. He peered at an image and back at the vet and then frowned. “You couldn’t have magically put a picture in the slate but...I can’t...I still can’t seem to remember you...I’m so sorry.”

“Figures. Well, thanks for trying.”

Legend wanted to scream. Instead he swallowed thickly. “I need to—....I’ll be back soon.”

Sky’s confused expression twisted into concern. “Hey I couldn’t imagine what this would be like for you but we’ll try our best to figure this out, yeah?”

The vet turned around, trying to hide the frustrated tears at his eyes. “Yeah...”

“Where are we?” The boy asked, distrust clear in his eyes. Something red was smeared next to them.

Legend answered half-heartedly. “Castletown of Hyrule, on the private praying spring.” “Private? Are we going to get arrested if we get seen here?” The princess murmured, and gripped the hand she was holding tighter.

“Usually, yes, but I’ll help you out.”

“Wait, aren’t you curious who we are?” The girl asked, relieved but unsure.

No, the crown, the dress and the mark on her hand were simple, casual clothing. He opted not to say that though, and shrugged. “You can tell me if you want. Here, we’ll go through this passage.”

“Who are you?” The boy inquired as the prince watched for guards.

Legend considered giving his identity away right then and there...but he remembered the records he had read not too long ago. He told them, “I’ll need to know at least your names before I answer that...and I’ll know if you’re lying.”

He wouldn’t, but they didn’t need to know that. The princess gripped the boy’s hand tighter. “I’m Phantom.”

“I’m Spirit.”

Legend laughed incredulously. The goddesses had answered his prayers then, because there was definitely an ancient Hero of Spirits. “Well, Spirit, Princess Phantom, I’m the crown prince of Hyrule. My name is Legend.”

“Oh,” She looked down at the ground. “Any chance you’ll still let us leave?”

He bit his lip. He couldn’t let a hero just leave. “There’s something I need you to do first. I promise you won’t get arrested.”

Spirit shared a glance with the princess beside him and then shook his head. “We’ll run, or you help us.”

Legend stopped, his heart thundering. “Don’t you dare. Look, I understand it seems like I’m lying, but I’m not. Have you heard of the Servants of Demise?”

Phantom stiffened. “What do they have to do with this?”

“I’m one of the fated heroes to drive them down, and stop them from destroying Hyrule. Spirit might be one of them.”

“How do you know?”

“Have you heard of the Hero of Spirits?” Legend answered him.

“What—that doesn’t necessarily mean—“

“We’ll come with you,” Phantom decided. “Try anything and you’ll make an enemy of New Hyrule.”

“I know.”

He led them to the Room of Swords, and there was one blade left, hung up on the wall. Engraved on it was the name. “Lokomo Sword,” Spirit murmured as he grabbed the blade with ease. “I wonder what that means.”

“Our legends say that the Lokomo were protectors of New Hyrule, but it was always considered myth by those who knew,” Phantom recalled.

“You’re a hero,” Legend declared but instead of feeling relief, his gut simmered with a feeling.

This all felt too easy...like things were sliding into place too conveniently. Spirit blinked. “Why me?”

“No one but the chosen wielder of that sword, can wield it,” Fi answered, stepping into that room. “If anyone else tries the blade will light up in powerful flames and burn until it’s dropped. Now, you have all the pieces needed to fulfill destiny, Your Highness.”

“Wait, but I—I can’t leave Phantom,” Spirit interrupted. “And I’m just an engineer. I’m not—I don’t know how to wield a weapon.”

“It’s okay. I can look after myself.” The princess let go of his hand.

“I’ll arrange for you both to get rooms at the castle, but for now, we must reconvene with my father and figure out how to proceed.”

Legend missed his mother, and his hair remained braided, although it was incredibly knotted and messy. Fi escorted them away, to the King’s office and then with a nod, left. “Wait, Fi,” Dad called. “Your knowledge has aided us greatly. I would like for you to stay.”

The royal advisor bowed her head. “Thank you, Your Majesty...however I have a meeting I have to attend to as you have requested. My greatest apologies. I have told you most of what I know.”

“Meeting?”

Legend furrowed his eyebrows. “You never go to meetings on your own, Fi.”

“I was requested earlier by His Majesty that I attend a meeting on his behalf.”

Dad was frowning but he sighed. “I don’t remember doing that, but I trust your memory. Go ahead.”

Fi obeyed and left, and Legend caught her lips quirked upward as soon as she was at the door. Soon every hero was gathered here, except for Warrior. The sky was different hues from the sunset, and light rain drops settled on the window. “Our first objective is to find Queen Sun, and I would like to check where they had last kidnapped you, Legend,” Dad started.

He flinched. “Where?”

“Koholint.”

Hazel eyes meeting his, warm and horrified. Gloved fingers holding his trembling hand. A blush spreading on freckled cheeks.

Marin. The last time he’d seen her was at the ball. Hyrule blinked. “Uh, where exactly in Koholint?”

Blue nudged him with a scowl, most likely for being casual with royalty. Dad didn’t seem to care though. “Deep in the Mysterious Woods...it’s similar to the thick pathways of the Lost Woods.”

Vio’s eyes widened, and he likely knew from his reading what exactly the Mysterious Woods was. Dad hummed. “We’ll head out tomorrow afternoon then and—“

The ground shook, throwing everyone off balance. A booming sound reverberated, deafening, and Legend clutched his ringing ears. Dad’s breath caught, and he ran out of the door, stumbling with the unsteady floors.

The calm outside the window had shattered. Smoke filled a once beautiful sky.

Time said, “Let’s follow! Stay close together, and alert!”

They hurried and another boomechoed nearby. Legend ran past a large open window, and saw everything that was happening. He could hear distant screaming. Each house, each building was lit up in flame, and collapsed in rubble. “We’ve got to go!” Hyrule tugged on his sleeve, frantically. “Where is Warrior?”

“Warrior,” Legend gasped, and didn’t even think before he ran to the infirmary.

There was no way he was leaving him in the castle, when the world seemed so shaky and so unsafe. He reached the room but there was the sound of metal being drawn and suddenly, there was a blade at his throat and he was pinned against the wall. He froze, and then his blood turned to ice. “Fi?”

“Your Highness,” She monotoned.

“This doesn’t make sense,” He whispered and winced when the cold dagger touched his neck. “Why?”

Fi grinned with blue lips, completely unlike her. “Just as naïve as the rest of them. I’m surprised my good old friend didn’t realize sooner.”

His eyes widened, when he remembered his best friend. He glanced at Warrior and he didn’t seem to be further harmed. She noticed his worry and rolled her eyes. “I was just about to finish the job before you showed up. I’m not an idiot.”

He glanced at her hand, now that it was closer to his eyes. Fi had a tattoo on it, that she had gotten to swear loyalty to the goddesses.

There was no tattoo.

This wasn’t truly Fi. Legend narrowed his eyes. “You’re not her.”

“My, how observant. While you piece this together, your kingdom outside is burning,” The unfamiliar woman hummed. “What are you going to do, little prince? Cry, like you’ve done before?”

He glared at her and considered his options. He could try and fight it—but that was a sure way to get his throat slit. His hands were free. He could try and get the dagger away from his neck, but was that too risky? “Why haven’t you killed me yet?”

He knew the answer to that but he was stalling desperately. The woman laughed. “Oh, that one’s easy. The next blood moon is very soon, and on that night your blood will be spilt...but only on that night.”

“Why?”

“I’ll let you figure the rest out on your own. Now, say your goodbyes to that bodyguard of yours. He was annoying—fought quite well—but he wasn’t strong enough.”

“No,” He breathed.

A piercing, yell, “Let go of my son!”

Dad came, his blue eyes ablaze as he lunged at the woman. The prince moved away towards Warrior and shook his shoulders urgently. “War, please. Wake up.”

The other heroes soon rushed in and Time slung the guard over his shoulders. “We’ve got to go.”

Dad continued to fight, blades whirling and clashing. “She’s not Fi!” Legend yelled and waited at the doorstep. “C’mon, Dad!”

“Yeah c’mon, Sky! Flee like a coward, and see what happens!”

“Mom needs us!” Legend’s voice cracked.

Dad’s face crumpled and he stopped, taking off with them. The woman watched them go with a smile, but didn’t move for some reason. Legend saw what happened to the usual guards and knights patrolling the palace. They were are all collapsed...no blood, but still nonetheless. The prince couldn’t help but wonder why no one had noticed Fi’s suspicious behaviour...why he had let this happen. Legend thought that they were more prepared and safe than this. If they were destined heroes...why had Castletown crumbled in seconds?

Legend touched his neck, remembered the dagger there. He felt tears well up in his eyes, his heart racing a mile a minute.

He wasn’t enough.

I’m so sorry, Mom.

Hyrule was there, clutching his hand tightly. “We’re going to evacuate as many people as we can.”

“To where?”

His voice came out broken. His friend’s eyes reflected worry. “To Kakariko, is what your father said. Hey, it’ll be okay, Ledge.”

“I don’t know, ‘Rulie.”

Hyrule just squeezed his hand tighter and pulled him towards the suffocating smell of smoke and the ruin around them.

______________________________________________________

“Sky,” A woman with a black cloak, and blonde, braided hair greeted. There was a strange marking on her head, an eye with a teardrop. A large hat rattled on her head, its rim painted a bloody crimson.

“Impa—“

“Where is she?” The woman snapped, interrupting Dad.

“Sun’s...They took her...”

Impa clenched her fists, fury filling up her eyes. “You were too late again. You’ve failed her. Again.”

The King wiped his eyes and didn’t respond for a moment. “Let me introduce you to the other nine heroes. Everyone, this is Impa, the chief of Kakariko Village.”

Her furious eyes looked around until they stopped at Legend. The prince met her gaze, a little bit angry on his father’s behalf. For some reason, her eyes softened a bit and she sighed. “Well then, a meeting is in order. In five minutes every single hero sees me at my place.”

She stepped towards Dad. Metal shook. “Not a second late—do you understand me? Count by seconds if you must.”

“This isn’t his fault,” Legend spoke up, irked. “He did all he could.”

Impa looked at him, her expression stoic before she disappeared into the shadows. Twilight asked, “So, what do we do now?”

Wild’s gaze was glossy, somewhat distant. The prince wondered when he had been here—if that’s why he was in that state. Dad ran a hand through his hair, guilt prominent in his eyes. “We’re going to need to get to Koholint after we talk to the chief. We can go through Skyloft probably.”

“How far is that?” Wind piped up.

“A week on foot, not counting stops to sleep and eat.”

We can’t—not enough time!

Vio suggested, “What if we buy a few horses?”

Dad nodded. “Yes, that’s probably our best option at the moment.”

Legend’s eyes drifted to Warrior, still unconscious in Time’s arms. Time and Twilight both were silent, looking worried and then the prince remembered Malon. “Who is Impa?” Legend settled on.

His father looked like he didn’t want to answer but he did anyway. “Sun was captured during the war, but as soon as Impa found out she was able to help the escape...however, she couldn’t get to you in time. Sun eventually was recaptured and rescued by others.”

There was more to that story, there had to be, but Legend didn’t dare press. Suddenly Wild came out of his memory and Wind asked, “Are you okay?”

The scarred knight walked over to the King, tense. “I will be, thank you. What have I missed Your Majesty?”

“Our plan after speaking with the chief, Impa, is to get horses and ride to Skyloft,” Dad filled him in and then ushered them towards a path.

A staircase, guarded by two men led to a large abode, not unlike the other homes here. The two guards looked at them and connected their weapons, halting them. “State your names,” The one with the grey beard demanded.

Dad sighed and obliged before the two guards dropped to their knees and let them up. A young woman closely resembling the chief dipped her head. “My mother said you had injured.”

“He’s recovering from an injury,” Time corrected. “He hasn’t woken up yet.”

“Paya?” Wild breathed.

Paya, the young woman’s eyes widened. “Y-yes that’s me. We can certainly take him in, um, and uh, I shouldn’t keep you.”

Legend, pushing down his curiosity nodded. “Thank you.”

Time followed Paya and the rest of them faced the chief of Kakariko Village. “Yes, I do know of Castletown, and yes, the survivors may stay here to avoid harm,” Impa started, but instead of the harsh anger he had expected, there was just a tired resignation to her tone.

“Thank you, Impa. Once we have control, rest assured your hospitality won’t go unnoticed,” Dad replied. “Our goal from here is to ride horses to Skyloft. From there we can take a boat to Koholint and see if the Queen has been taken there once more.”

“This is all assuming they are dull-witted enough to stay in the same place. What are you going to do if she isn’t there?”

“I will search wherever I must, but first is ruling out that place,” Dad answered sharply. “If you have a better idea, tell me, but saving my kingdom requires Sun. If they have her, they have leverage.”

“They’re also after this young prince, aren’t they?” Impa gestured to Legend, eyes narrowed.

“I’m a hero. I’ve been trained by an immortal being, and I won’t stay on the sidelines,” He snapped.

The chief sighed and then nodded. “Very well. My suggestion is that you wait for your injured to be healed and then continue out with your plan. Half of you go to Koholint—the other half stay here. My reasoning is that some of these heroes can protect the people and there have to be more of them still in Castletown.”

Dad nodded, resigned. “Alright. Thank you once more, Impa.”

The cold, amber eyes of the chief disappeared beneath her hat as she inclined her head. “It is my duty to serve the royal family. The Goddess chose you all as Her choice of agents. Let her be right.”

They discussed who would go where as they left the warmth of the home. They saw kind villagers leading in scared people from Castletown and Time ran when a red-haired lady was visible in the distance. They embraced, hugging each other tightly but Legend didn’t catch their conversation. Dad turned away, as soon as he saw the sight, longing in his eyes and—oh. “Legend,” His father called, blinking rapidly, breathing deeply. “Where would you like to be?”

The question stunned him. He wasn’t expecting a choice, but he was a little grateful for it. He could go to Koholint and search or stay here and protect the people. Wavy, fiery hair and hazel shimmering brightly with ease flashed in his mind...and then loving ocean blue eyes and calloused hands running through his hair, snowy sleeves hiding a hand-crafted bracelet.

But his friends’ home was burning. His kingdom was falling apart at its seams, and the thought of someone like Malon buried in a puddle of blood—

“Ledge,” A soft voice brought him back to the present.

He hadn’t heard that nickname from his father in so long. He looked up and made his decision, “I’m going to Koholint.”

An inhale. Exhale. “I will stay here then. The others may choose as they please but I’d like Time to go with you.”

After some discussion, Legend was going with Time, Hyrule, Warrior, Wind, Green and Blue. Dad was staying here with the rest. Princess Phantom had insisted she was going to stick by Spirit’s side, no matter what, despite the kid’s distress at the thought.

He expected to go back to Warrior, and see eyes shut closed but as soon as he found his guard, the man was sitting upright, eyes wide open and alarmed as Paya quietly recounted events. Legend’s eyes filled up with tears and he hesitated. “War?”

Warrior immediately turned towards him and let out a breath. “I’m sorry—“

“Shut up,” The prince hissed, voice muffled by a bloodied tunic as he hugged his guard—no—his brother.

“How did—he wasn’t waking up for so long,” Legend asked Paya, not letting go yet of Warrior.

“A fairy.”

The answer was curt, and barely audible. He would’ve maybe questioned it more but his brother spoke up, “Thank you. For the healing.”

The Sheikah girl squeaked a little and ducked her head. “It’s nothing, sir.”

“No, it’s not nothing. War—I-I thought...I thought you wouldn’t wake up.”

Warrior pulled him closer. “I did. I’m here, and I’m alive. I’m okay.”

“You better be.”

After a bit more explaining, War was already asking when they were leaving. Paya narrowed her eyes. “You just recovered from a stab wound, sir. I would say at the earliest, tomorrow morning...but it isn’t me who’ll make that call.”

“Then who?”

“Her name is Navi.”

Legend reluctantly let go and went to go ask for him, despite his brother’s protests. He quickly found a woman with bright blue hair and matching eyes tending to a villager’s broken leg. “I’m busy,” She called, eyes flashing with irritation. “You can wait your turn.”

“I don’t need healing, but I don’t want to interrupt you.”

The woman glanced at him briefly and then did a double take but did not stop the magic flowing from her fingers. “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

The irritation did not fade from her expression, but her tone was worried and polite. He shook his head. “As you said, I can wait my turn. I wasn’t aware you were busy, but I should have been.”

He turned to exit but she said, “Listen, I’m almost done. It’d be easier for you just to wait inside.”

He obliged, watching the magic put the injured at ease, and then she stopped. “Take it easy, alright?”

“Okay. Thank you.” Was the mumbled response from the villager.

Paya was right. Warrior was allowed to leave in the morning, though Navi made sure they had at least one more fairy and a couple potions with them. She cautioned him to only strain himself if absolutely necessary. As the guard said his thanks Legend asked, “Wait who stabbed you, War? How?”

“I was told you already knew she was a traitor, but the King’s advisor did. She caught me off guard,” He admitted, and he looked guilty. “I should be better than this though. She shouldn’t have been able to catch me off guard let alone get away with it.”

“I’m just happy you’re okay,” The prince whispered.

His brother’s gaze softened. “You’ll be a great ruler someday, Legend. Just as great as your father.”

Legend didn’t recognize the deflection and huffed, “Thanks.”

The next morning farewells were said, Legend hugging his father tightly, and promising to return safely, and with Mom beside him. Dad had pressed a gentle kiss to his head, and nodded but he wiped his eyes and averted his gaze.

Legend was getting sick of this. He was going to make sure that everything would be okay again. He felt his blade hum in agreement where it was laying firmly in its sheath. He ignored the burn of Impa’s eyes staring into the back of his head as he got onto a horse named Epona, helping Hyrule up as well. As soon as he had everyone, they set off as fast as they could, hooves pounding against the path.

______________________________________________________

Skyloft’s heart was like paradise, surrounded by glistening waters. This was where the King had grown up, and the stories he had been told did not serve the island justice. The horses slowed down as soon as they entered and Time dismounted the horse he was riding on. They all followed suit and Wind gasped, face in awe. “I’ve never been here before. Green! After this is over we have got to come here again!”

Green ruffled the boy’s hair. “We’ll see.”

Legend caught sight of the docks in the distance and started over. Hyrule was studying him, concerned and the prince tried his best not to show his exhaustion or worry. His best friend then sighed. “How are you doing, Ledge? Honestly.”

“...Well, Castletown might be in ruins, my mother’s still missing, and I’ve got people after my head. Absolutely fucking peachy,” He snapped and then immediately felt guilty. “Sorry. I—I’m just stressed, you know how it is ‘Rulie. I’ll be fine.”

A hand grabbed his and held it tightly. “It’s okay if you’re not, you know. Around us, or even just around one of us.”

“Thanks, but...I can’t afford to not be fine right now. There’s too much that needs to be fixed.”

Hyrule squeezed his hand as they drew near to the boats. “It’s impossible to ask you to be completely okay all the time right now, with everything going on. It’s impossible to expect that of yourself, Ledge. Promise me, you’ll take one moment, even if it’s only a couple minutes, to let it out.”

A beat of silence. Legend nodded. “I...I’ll try.”

“No,” His best friend’s eyes hardened. “Promise me.”

“Okay, I promise.”

“Thank you.”

The breeze was cool and nice as Time handed rupees to a man in a blue coat and a suspicious smirk. “Alright. All aboard the SS Linebeck.”

Legend breathed as he stepped on the peculiar looking boat, and examined the cannon attached to it. Wind eyed the man, not with suspicion but with confusion. “Do I know you?”

The man lost his smirk instantly. His sunken, silver eyes widened a fraction but he turned away sharply. “No. Get on kid, or I’m leaving you behind.”

A lie, Legend was sure, but Wind winced and obliged. Once everyone was on, they set off and Hyrule held tightly to his arm, almost painfully. Linebeck initiated conversation, drawling, “So, am I allowed to know why I have the prince and a whole bunch of other soldiers in my boat?”

Legend shook his head, not yet knowing if this information was to be trusted with strangers. There was so much he wanted to know, so many questions that he kept down, because he wasn’t sure if he’d get an answer. What did Warrior know of the war? Where had the original Fi gone, and when had she been replaced? Why was Spirit, seemingly not even a knight so close with a princess, and why had Princess Phantom gone into Hyrule without any guards?

Was Mom even alive?

He shook that last question off, burying it as far as he could in the depths of his mind. The ride to Koholint felt way too long, but it was nice all things considered. Linebeck didn’t try anything, just did his job, occasionally prattling about useless things when the silence stretched too long. Wind kept looking at the sailor with furrowed eyebrows, trying to piece something together. The ocean of course, was beautiful.

Then when Legend got off, he felt his stomach lurch. They were on a beach, the sun blazing and a cool breeze flowing through the air. Linebeck and Time were talking about something that Legend didn’t hear; he was enraptured by the paradise this island seemed to be. Wind blinked. “This kind of looks like Outset...but way bigger.”

The kid had been raised in a very small part of Lurelin, called Outset Island. It had been so small that he had known everyone there, but his guardian had passed and no one took him and his sister in so he was sent into Castletown with whatever his guardian had left him. Wind had shared those details but was tight-lipped about the rest of it. Legend started, “We’ve still got daylight, let’s try to find the woods—and preferably a map.”

Warrior was by his side as they followed the path and saw distant outlines of buildings, and more palm trees and vividly green grass. When they reached civilization, it was bustling, thriving with so many families. A castle was not far away so Legend assumed they’d reached Mabe Village, the capital of this bright kingdom. That didn’t take as long as he expected, but he certainly wasn’t complaining. A lady picked up a small boy and stared warily at them as they looked around. “Ma’am, we’re looking for a map, do you happen to know where we could find one?” Green asked another person with silver hair and a broom in her calloused hands.

“I’ll be right back, boy, stay right here!”

Green watched, a little bemused as she dropped her broom and rushed inside her house. There was some clatter, a yell and then she was back outside, a map in her hands. Blue ended up taking it, and the lady smiled. “Toodles, boys. Yahoo!!!”

Legend didn’t even have time to process that interaction before the map was shoved into his arms. He looked at it and Mabe Village was just below the centre of the country. The Mysterious Woods was left of here, and on the map it was just a bunch of dark trees and mist. “Is it just me or this place really weird,” Blue muttered.

Warrior shook his head but smiled a little bit. “It’s probably just us. Are we heading out now, Legend?”

“Yes,” He said immediately. “Let’s stick together all throughout, okay? No one wanders off.”

Time nodded in agreement. Unlike the sunny, bright side of the kingdom, the Mysterious Forest was dark and brimming with something sinister. Hyrule stopped abruptly. “We need light.”

“Does anyone have a torch?” Warrior asked.

“No. We need light,” His best friend repeated, face unreadable. “Light magic.”

Legend questioned him with a look, but Hyrule didn’t respond. Time asked, “Can you elaborate, please? Our blades should be enough to cut down anything in this forest.”

“I—I just know that this place is malicious. It would make me feel...better if we had a source of lighter magic.”

Legend frowned at the choice of words but he trusted ‘Rule so he sighed and said, “Does anybody have light magic?”

Warrior’s eyes flashed with recognition, and then swam with a million emotions. “We do have a source of light magic with us. We’ll be fine, so let’s just go in already.”

“What do you mean?” Time asked.

“As long as we stick together, we’ll be okay.”

The prince looked at Warrior and Hyrule both with growing confusion. They both were hiding something, for sure. Nonetheless he led the way through. Instead of the Lost Woods’ suffocating fog, the mist in this woods wasn’t thick enough to do damage, but it curled around him curiously. He shivered but kept moving until the mist seemed to press against his head and he clutched it with a wince. “Ledge?” Hyrule’s voice grew frantic. “What’s going on?”

There was fear in Warrior’s eyes, a trickle of doubt but it became hard to focus on even that. He grabbed onto the prince’s arms, pulling them away from his hair that he hadn’t even realized he’d been tugging on. “Focus on me, bud. You’re okay.”

“Hurts,” He mumbled as the pressure increased tenfold.

“I know, I know. You’ll be okay—“

There was more words that flew past his head and then his vision darkened. He panicked for a moment before he heard a voice. “Don’t worry, buddy, it’s just my scarf. Are you with me?”

He nodded, and the pain in his head dulled a little bit. “There you go,” Warrior breathed. “Should I lift my scarf?”

“Yeah,” He affirmed and he could see again.

To his surprise the pressure didn’t come back. The mist had settled to curl at his feet, thin and barely even there. The haze cleared and he asked, “What happened?”

“I can’t say anything in here. Too risky. Let’s find the Queen and get out of here quickly, Highness.”

“Legend,” He corrected but didn’t pry any further.

Hyrule didn’t seem to share that trust. “What do you mean it’s too risky? What happened to him?”

Green put a hand on the prince’s shoulder, concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, much better now,” He assured his friend.

Warrior’s eyes darted all around them, not fearful but determined. “I’m sorry, but safety is more important than answers at the moment. I will explain when the forest isn’t listening.”

“The hell you mean listening? Are we in a forest that is alive?” Blue demanded.

“Enough!” Time rumbled and there was silence. “All we can do now is move forward. We have a mission, and as much as I’d love to know all these things, it can wait.”

The silence draped over them, thick with tension but the prince tried his best to ignore it. His mother could be in here for Hylia’s sake. They reached a crossroad and chose a path. Unfortunately, they came up at the same crossroad only a few minutes later.

Run away, princeling, run as far as you can.

That voice pulsed in his head, unlike the sword’s voice. He glared up at the trees. No. I will find her, no matter what.

Anyone who has entered this place is now a pile of bones and rotting flesh. Run before it takes you too.

“No!”

Eyes fell onto him. Legend felt heat rise up to his face. “Sorry, talking to myself. It’s nothing.”

Zelda put her signature on a scroll and placed it in a pile beside her. There was still more to do, and knowing that only made her eyes feel heavier. She glanced at the window in her room, the ornate frame paling in comparison to the vivid, blue sky. If her hero was here, he would've opened that window and extended his hand to hers.

She sighed, dipping her quill in ink. He wasn't here, and so she couldn't leave until all these papers were dealt with. Zelda noticed a letter from weeks ago, sitting on the shelf, and took it gently into her hands. She reread every word.

I don't know when I'll be back, the letter informed her and she could hear his voice from all the way here. There was ice in her stomach as she knew that there was a chance he might not be back anytime soon. She remembered finding his limp, ashen body, just barely clinging on to life. She remembered a broken raft and the feeling of seeing him so hurt after two months of not seeing him at all and waiting for his return.

She swallowed back her fear and rubbed her eyes. She needed him, and he needed her. Surely, he would walk right in here and help her carefully out the window, before guiding her through his orchard once again. She would listen to his grand tales and his simple updates again, or kiss him softly under the shade of his vibrant apple trees.

A knock sounded and she stilled. There were still tears on her lashes. She cleared her throat, "You may come in."

A servant let herself in, hazel eyes meeting hers with warmth and...something else. "His Majesty requests you to come down to the throne room at once."

"Oh, well, did he tell you the occasion?"

"I apologize if I am overstepping Your Highness, but I think you need to see this yourself. Let me escort you there."

Zelda felt suspicion brew in her gut but she nodded slowly. "You are alright. Let us go, then."

The servant led her silently down the steps blanketed in velvet carpet, though her smile had dimmed long ago. The anticipation was beginning to unsettle her but they reached the throne room. The servant dropped to her knees and the princess saw eight unusual warriors. "Father, you have called for me?" She inquired but her gaze was on the group, searching for a head of strawberry blonde hair.

"Yes. These are the Heroes of Hyrule from the past and future. They are briefly visiting before continuing another quest," The King answered, but his face was shadowed.

Zelda's heart began to race as she didn't see him among the group. "Where's Link? His letter said he'd be travelling with them."

Father's eyes softened, almost imperceptibly. "He has been sent to the infirmary. He arrived in an unstable state, but our healers are doing all they can right now."

Her breath caught, and for a moment there was silence. Father never said what exactly happened to Link. He had never said anything like this before. "Your duties have been dismissed today," The King assured. "Go and see him, Zelda."

Something was very wrong.

She thanked him and took off. Her breath came out shallow as all she could think about was him on that raft.

"Goddesses."

Nightmarish burns wrapped around pale skin. Violet eyes were closed, swelled and red from tear-streaks. His clothing was tattered, and he was thinner than before.

However, when she arrived at his bedside, there wasn't any surface wounds she could immediately see. He was unconscious, face a sheet of white. Purple hyacinths sat in a vase next to him. "I'm here Link, I'm here," She breathed.

Her words went unheard and she sat down, hugging her knees. Her heart didn't calm but her breathing did. She called for him through his mind but he didn't reply, for the second time in their lives. "I've missed you, but you know that. I was going to send you a letter because there's a ball very soon and I know how much you like dancing. The Lorulean royal family is attending, which means Queen Hilda will be there...and probably Ravio too."

The silence was deafening.

"Your Highness? A nurse came in. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I am. What--what has happened to him?"

The nurse took off the blankets with a roll of bandages clutched in her hand. "He's got a stab wound but that's unfortunately not the worst of it. He's developed an illness we call Dinnayru."

Fire and ice? Where had she heard that before? "What is that?"

"It's a deadly illness that causes delirium, vomiting blood, and in worst cases, seizures. I don't know if you recall, but the late Queen fell to it."

"Oh," She pressed her mouth into a thin line, blood turned to ice in her veins. "Will--will he be okay?"

"We'll do our best and see what we can do," The nurse tried to reassure.

Zelda blinked back tears and pulled up a chair, it's wooden exterior cold against her back. The light that was once spilling loftily into the room and illuminating the flowers was gone. The room became dim from dark clouds and the warm torchlight fell onto his still face.

"Your Highness?"

She startled and saw a man with dusky markings on his face. She recognized him as a hero from before. "Yes?"

"Our traveller's Life Spell hasn't done a thing for him, so we were thinking of taking him to a Great Fairy."

"That should heal his stab wound," She nodded.

"His illness too, right?" He pressed.

"They tried everything to save my mother but she's gone."

The man's face twisted in sympathy. "I'm sorry for your loss but don't you think it's worth a try?"

"It most certainly is, but we could lose him at any moment..."

"It won't come to that, princess. We'll find a way."

Something about the fire in the man's blue eyes made her rise. "You're right."

"We're at your side, Highness. The ve--er--Link is our brother."

She was ready to leave, until a sudden coughing filled the air. She looked over and Link whimpered, body trembling as he gagged. Zelda rushed over, eyes wide. "Link, say something!"

"Zel..da," He croaked and then blood spilled out of his mouth and nose in a vicious amount.

Legend hadn’t left this bedside for hours. The air was stuffy, his eyes stung from tears long shed.

The infirmary room smelled of blood and vomit.

With every waking moment that Warrior was not awake, he worried. Yet, he refused to look at him, unwilling to bear the pain of a pale and still face where blue eyes once darted everywhere. “Legend,” A familiar voice spoke softly.

Dad was there, honey-coloured hair unkempt and his eyes dimmer than ever. The prince drew in a breath. “Hello, Father.”

“He will be okay. Warrior has survived much worse than this, and I doubt he’d leave you for very long.”

There was silence for a moment, and the prince refused to break it. Eventually Dad hugged him, and Legend froze. When was the last time his parents had hugged him? “I have no right to ask this of you...but the Servants of Demise are taking action. Ordon was ransacked—there are tons of reports of missing children, and wounded civilians. Hateno’s labs have been destroyed, some of the researchers dead or gravely wounded...I’m afraid that we’re starting to run out of time.”

Legend didn’t want to leave Warrior here, but he knew what his father was about to say.

“Will you continue to find the chosen heroes?”

“It’s not my choice,” Legend answered. “It’s my duty, to my people, to help them in their time of need.”

“I will send word once he’s recovered,” Dad promised.

“What’s being done in Ordon and Hateno? Are there any measures being taken?”

“Of course. We’ve positioned more knights in both places, and sent our condolences through rupees. There’s been warnings of the Servants of Demise now I think...I’m worried it’ll sent people into a panic.”

“Because of the last war,” Legend said quietly.

Dad’s gaze turned fierce, and angry. “There will never be something like that again. We will find Sun, we will defeat those servants, and we will not let our people down. Enough of this.”

Legend could only watch as his father stalked out of the room. He wondered what exactly happened during the war. It was never disclosed to him, and he’d only ever dared to ask once. All he saw was his mother flinch and cup his face, “The event has been recorded down, and you may read it when you’re much older, okay? It’s still something your father and I are recovering from.”

The prince had never even considered going to check for those records. Even though Dad had said there wouldn’t be another war...Legend would have to check later. For now, there was the matter of finding the rest of the heroes.

For some reason, the voice’s earlier words kept coming back to him.

‘There are approximately eight more to find. Worry not, all but one are right within your grasp.’

That had to mean that he knew some of them...but who in particular? “I’m sorry, War, I’m going to leave you again,” Legend whispered. “I’ve got to go to the library again.”

He hurried out of the room, and it was like a breath of fresh air. He saw a servant looking at him, a little bit concerned as he continued to rush away. He eventually got there and found Vio there, sitting in a pile of books. “Er, Vio?”

His friend jumped a little and then shrugged. “I asked where the nearest library was and ended up here.”

Why was he even surprised? Legend just offered a slight smile and searched through the books, looking for anything about the war. As he read every golden title and summary, Vio asked, “How’s your friend doing? Warrior, was it?”

The prince’s hands fell to his sides. “He’ll be fine.”

He has to be.

The air turned tense and Legend hated it, but Vio just said softly, “Alright.”

After a bit more digging, the prince couldn’t find records of it here. They must’ve really not wanted him to see it...but where else would it be? Guilt was overcome by his determination and he offered a quick farewell before he walked towards his father’s office. Nobody answered so he let himself in, beads of sweat beginning to form as he stepped inside without permission. He closed the door behind him and found journals and papers near Dad’s desk. He found a book titled, the War of the Prince.

Legend’s throat went dry.

‘Account of the King’

To understand a grand war like this, one must have an understanding of the Servants of Demise. The Servants of Demise are followers of a fabled Demon King. Their goal is to eradicate the royal family, and resurrect the Demon King with the ancient Triforce. The Royal Family has long since sworn off using its power, and its location has become unknown. However, there was a prophet who came to my father, and warned of the Demon King’s revival. They also spoke of heroes that would strike him down.

And then my beautiful baby son was born.

The Servants of Demise came without warning, and they came after the infant prince. They had managed to convince many people that the prince of Hyrule was destined to destroy them all. They sowed fear in people and soon, it was countries taking sides. The Twili Region, New Hyrule, and Calatia sided with Hyrule. The rest didn’t (with the exception of the Lost Woods).

Legend didn’t want to skip through all this new information but he needed to be quick.

—and though all seemed lost, I was able to do it. With the aid of Warrior, we struck down their leader, and rescued the Queen, and the prince. The majority of the Servants of Demise lay unmoving on the battlefield. We were declared heroes by our kingdom, though I barely felt like one.

And then it was clear to Legend. His father was one of the heroes.

“I implore you, do not forget of what lies unseen by your eyes.”

He wondered briefly, what that meant but then the door jostled and Dad walked in. “...Link?”

Legend was rarely ever called that. He took a risk, and said, “You’re one of the heroes, father.”

Dad flinched, but he didn’t seem overly surprised. “I could be...however, why are you in my office?”

He considered telling the whole truth, but he couldn’t. It was so unusual for Dad to get super angry at him, and he didn’t want to face that fury. He simply said, “I was looking for you so we could confirm it. I’m sorry, I should’ve left when I didn’t hear you answer.”

His father softened. “It’s alright, Legend. Let us go to the Room of Swords.”

The hand put on his shoulder then felt like it was burning. He never lied to his father. Now, as he felt a bitter taste on his tongue, he understood why.

__________________________________________

“Your Majesty,” Fi glanced at the glowing blade the King held firmly in his hands, with not a hint of expression. “There’s been a new report that must be addressed this moment.”

“Go on.”

“New Hyrule is requesting military aid. Their capital, Spirit Town, has been severely devastated.”

Did that mean the Servants of Demise were going to attack the people who sided with Hyrule in the war? Dad’s face darkened as he sheathed his weapon. “We will send military aid. Tell the General of this, and bring reports if there are any further details.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Suddenly, Time walked in with Twilight. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I think I might have an idea of how we could find the rest of the heroes.”

“Legend, you are to discuss this, I must leave now,” Dad nodded and left with the royal advisor.

“This may seem a little too on the nose but you know the heroes of legend, right?” Twilight pressed.

“Yes, I’ve read about them.”

Twilight’s ears tinged red and Time took over, saying, “I believe it’s as simple as finding names. Your name is Legend, and...there was a Hero of Legend. I’m named after the Hero of Time. Do you follow?”

At first he felt skeptical but he realized they were right...and his commoner friends...

Hero of Winds.

Hero of Hyrule.

Green, Vio, Red, Blue, part of the Hero of the Four Sword.

Bile rose in his throat, but he cleared his throat and said, “I see. That would make sense.”

Sure enough, when he called his friends there, they were each able to wield a sword. “That explains why we were targeted,” Vio mused, holding a copy of his brothers’ sword, a purple ribbon attached to the golden hilt.

An apology was on the prince’s tongue but he merely nodded, grateful that they could at least find the heroes so quickly. Saving his mother didn’t seem so impossible anymore. “There’s one more we have to find.”

One thing he was certain of, was that it wouldn’t be so easy as the last seven. “Master, you will not hear another word from me but do not fret, for you have acquired much. I apologize for leaving you without more of what I have done for you so far.”

What? Why are you leaving?

But the voice was gone, and his head was emptier than it used to be. He hadn’t realized it, but he had grown to feel the voice’s presence and it felt so utterly wrong with it gone. This was the first time he’d heard a hint of emotion and it was the last time he’d ever hear it. The thought unsettled him deeply, that guidance like this could be taken away so easily. Suddenly, he got the feeling that this was coming together all too easily.

“Ledge?” Hyrule asked, clutching a blade with a ruby hilt.

“Yes?” The prince was startled out of his distressing thoughts.

“None of us know how to use a sword,” Blue pointed out. “Did you?”

“Not really, but I received training. I guess while I go and find the last of us, you can train in the Kokiri Province.”

“Wait, that’s in the Lost Woods,” Vio blinked. “We’re well unprepared to go in such a wild place.”

He was right, unfortunately. “Time and Twilight, can go with you, right?”

Time nodded and his expression was oddly soft. “Of course we can. We’ll depart now, if that’s alright with you.”

Legend nodded, tearing his eyes away from the group. He had a farfetched idea but after all the information he’d gathered, it was his best hope. He found the King and asked, “May I go to New Hyrule with the military aid?”

Dad stiffened, but then gave a long sigh. “Why?”

“Well, so far it doesn’t really make sense why the Servants of Demise would specifically attack New Hyrule unless...there’s a hero there.”

His father fell silent for a moment, his eyes swimming with something unreadable. “No.”

“Why not?”

“It’s too risky. You are the crown prince and a hero.”

Legend pressed, “Yeah, I’m a hero. I can handle my own now, and if I’m attacked, I can save myself.”

“As I said, it’s too risky,” Dad said, in his ‘drop it’ tone.

The prince knew that his father was right in worrying...but he also knew that he might be right. This might’ve been what the voice had said about one hero being out of his grasp. He left, heart pounding, and anger coursed through him. The records were checked thoroughly but there was no ‘Spirit’ or anything similar living in Hyrule. A groan of frustration left him and he went back to Warrior, slipping in the room quietly. Hours had passed in a stretch of eternity but moments like this were fleeting, when he wasn’t busy with some task. “You better wake up soon. You always have good ideas when I’m stuck.”

An arrow flew with precision but missed its mark entirely, landing in the grass. The sunlight was on the target, illuminating the spot he needed to hit. This was his thirteenth arrow, and it missed the target entirely this time. “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to! Why isn’t this working?!”

Warrior came over. “May I assist you, Your Highness?”

“Legend,” The prince reminded. “And no, I’ve just been warming up. I’ll surely get it this try.”

His next arrow hit the bottom of the target, nowhere near the spot. Warm, calloused hands set on his arms and moved them. “Now, relax. You’re too tense.”

Legend obliged, taking a deep breath. His guard smiled, encouraging, “Now, release the arrow. You will succeed this time.”

Reminding himself to relax, he loosed the arrow and hit just beside the target. Warrior let go, still grinning like an idiot, and the next arrow drove into the painted spot almost perfectly. Legend felt a burst of pride and emotion but all he did was say, “You do it by yourself, War.”

Warrior took the bow and with all the confidence in the world he let an arrow fly. It flew over the target. Legend barked out a laugh but the guard hit the target square in the next attempt. “First try! Isn’t that impressive Your Highness?”

“Hey! You did not do that in the first try!” Legend squawked.

“Lies and slander,” The guard sniffed.

The prince grinned and a hand ruffled his strawberry blonde hair. He turned up to a content Warrior and asked, “You moved my arms earlier. How was my aim off?”

Warrior answered, “You were aiming a bit low, but you were pretty close. I’m here the next time you train, if you need any more tips.”

‘Cause he could always go to his guard when an obstacle was blocking his path. He didn’t say that though, of course. Instead he huffed. “Says the guard who has to lie about his talents.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Highness.”

Tears spilled down the prince’s face. “Why haven’t you woken up yet, War? Haven’t they given you fairies and potions? You’re stronger than this.”

He could imagine royal blue eyes opening, and a familiar smile at the sight of him, but neither of those things happened. So, Legend went outside, back to pray to the Goddesses. He stepped into freezing cold waters and words spilled off his tongue like a waterfall. This was where the Goddesses revealed a hero’s whereabouts. Perhaps they could reveal another one’s? When he was finished though, all was still, and nothing had occurred.