Chapter Text
Light faded seamlessly into day, and again, Link was a child, and now he stood in a green plain that stretched beyond imagination. In front of him was a hill, and at the apex was a youthful, large tree, the sun blazing upon its almighty stature.
Link felt the same feeling he did during his short time in the inner workings of his mind. However, there was nothing he could move. The place was already complete. For such a beautiful landscape, not a single soul could predict Skull Kid being inside of it. Instead of floating, he sat with his back against the tree, his gaze glued to the grass.
A Spirit in trouble, Link would instinctively run up the hill, and extend a helping hand.
But, just as Skull Kid was about to accept, and further his control of Link, a familiar tune played.
The first song he ever learned on the Ocarina.
A, Down, Up.
A, Down, Up.
Link would turn.
And there she was.
The Kokiri girl with an impenetrable passion that cut through the air like a wish.
She held a soft voice that fit Link’s name just right. “Link.”
𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀.
“You look… unrecognizable.”
None of his enhancements came into play here. This was the only place where he could truly be himself, for better or worse. So, he was left with pure, utter disbelief. “What is this?” He asked rather demandingly.
Saria was unmoved by his seriousness, tilting her head curiously and analyzing him.
“You found me.” She answered with a chuckle, “You never could when we played Hide and Seek in the forest, ha.”
Link could remember those days clearly now. Spin, spin, and spin his mind went into the door he was too afraid to open in this state. Eyes growing heavy, he turned away, trying to convince himself that none of this was real.
This filled Skull Kid with pleasure. “Hahahaha! He’s already left you behind! I’m his only friend now! He's always been kind to us Spirits!”
But Saria wouldn't stand for it. As soft as she looked, her gaze in times of seriousness was able to pierce even the finest metal. “If that’s true, then why am I here in his head?” She asked, “I don’t care how strong that seal is! The true Link would never forget about me!”
And yet, during that fight, he did.
The true Link. What did that mean?
Whatever it was… resided in this song.
“You want to be strong, Link.” Skull Kid urged, “There has to be some reason as to why you left it all behind, right? There’s still everyone else to catch up to, after all….”
…
“YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A LITTLE DEKU SCRUB!”
Link’s mind couldn’t come to a conclusion, so all it could do was give the visualization of thousands of scribbles that could never confide in any reality. Not even the one where he reigned victorious as the one who “slayed” the servant of Palutena, Pit.
“Ahhhhh….”
His hand ached towards his throat to force out the guttural scream that kept delaying itself. Facing emotions at this level of intensity—this level of realness—this level of fullness. Once more, the only solace he could find was in screaming.
“𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓐𝓗𝓗𝓗𝓗𝓗𝓗𝓗𝓗!”
Link’s eyes turned white, blood veins forming in all angles that never crossed paths. The scream was too powerful that the veins of his throat put their life on the line so he could preserve it.
Skull Kid smiled. He could offer him another way. Another mask. Another identity to help him continue.
As much as Link wanted that, Saria’s eyes beckoned with the permanence of safety. When Link buckled to the floor, a helping hand was extended to him.
Saria, her smile full of hope. “You don’t need to hide.” She insisted with a motherly voice, “When you left the forest, there was so much unsaid between us! Here’s your chance, Link! Tell me everything!”
“Be careful what you wish for, Link.” Skull Kid chuckled, breaking up the melancholy, “You’re taking the path you hate the most. At the end of it, what will you be?”
The uncertainty scared him.
Living an unfilled life, and unable to do anything in the face of the Death Spirits.
But…
“That’s what he’ll do!” Saria fumed, glaring into the Dark Spirit’s eyes, “Ever since we were kids, Link always protected me, no matter how big or bad the bully was! He went into the dungeons where no one came back from! He befriended the scariest animals! He’s braver than you can imagine!”
“But you’re a weakness! Your kind, you’re a weakness!” Skull Kid argued. That once whimsical tone turned into one full of annoyance. “You can’t truly think it’s right to give the hero hope just because you love him! A hero with a lover is no hero at all! You’ve ruined his life, and now, I’m the only one cleaning up your mess! Do you think this is fair?!”
He’s right…
Link wanted to turn back.
I can’t… go back.
Grip! But Saria wouldn’t let go of his hand—a habit all throughout their childhood.
She was still smiling.
“Nothing is fair.” A declaration, “But I’m not giving the hero hope right now.”
Link’s eyes melted, light emerging through.
“I’m giving… my hero hope.” Saria said with sincerity, “My hero is Link.”
Hero.
When everything was said and done, it was merely a title.
But when he wasn’t standing in the halls of legends, it meant much, much more.
In Kokiri Forest, Link was the only one without a Fairy. That fact remained true for years, and the only one that could accept that fact and like him regardless was Taryon.
There needed to be more than that.
Despite the fact that this was a forest for children to live in harmony with nature, the other children, who were blessed by the Fairy, made it their life’s mission upon seeing Link to remind him of his withoutness.
“Fairy-less boy!”
No one else by Taryon called him by his name.
When the children of the forest played at night, holding fireflies and arguing of which ones were cooler, Link could only watch with lifeless eyes from his tree home.
He didn’t belong.
Annoyance, venting anger in his head, and then regret.
The only shield against the onslaught of isolation was the pathway of solitude. The acceptance that everyday was so trivial and insignificant, for the house he lived in was the only day where he could spread his wings, and have someone to talk to.
But one day, adventuring out to the Great Deku Tree, he found the acceptance of loneliness to be ridden with the swift, yet powerful sound that preached that all things were impermanent.
A girl who matched the earth’s beautiful green.
Saria.
It’s funny.
Thoughts began to flow in the calm voice of Link in the present as the memory unfolded.
Even if I wanted to talk to somebody, I was still shy. I think that whenever I tried to respawn, my words were barely able to be made out.
You didn’t seem to mind much, though.
I flopped through one ridiculously topic to another, and you followed without any trouble.
It was a buncha happy nonsense for a while, until you finally asked me that one question.
“So, um, what’s your name?”
Link tilted his head to the side, embarrassed by the thought of her reaction toward such a straightforward name. “My name’s Link.” He said sheepishly. "Link Hyrulia."
“Link, huh?” For a moment, her gaze could be interpreted as either disappointed or unimpressed. Link would have very much preferred the second option. However, he’d receive a much better alternative. “Aww, that’s such a good name!”
“...Really?”
“Yeah.” Saria said, reinforced by a happy short hop, “I honestly think it’s kinda cute.”
I remember, my eyes lit up at that moment.
I didn’t see you as an anomaly. The overflowing affection that passed through those words alone made me see you as… some sort of angel.
At first, I thought it was pathetic that I viewed a girl this way. I was hoping that in future interactions, I wouldn’t do the same way. However, you took my hand and assured me that everything was fine.
Then, you said your name.
“My name is Saria. You probably see me with the other children. Haha…”
“Saria, huh?”
Our feelings matched.
There, my words were as clear as day.
“That’s a beautiful name, too.”
I think at that moment, my life changed for the first time.
Needless to say, this was by far the happiest I’d ever been.
It didn’t take long for us to start hanging out together.
Every morning, I’d take you to my secret hideout. For a treehouse, or loghouse, I think, it was comfortable for the both of us.
I remember, I had a secret door that hid some of the treasure I collected during my strolls through the forest. If Taryon ever found out, he’d probably take it to the extreme.
I felt like I could share them with you.
That was the case for a lot of mornings.
One morning.
Saria had intentionally avoided the rest of the Kokiri children, and successfully hid the secret that she and Link were friends. When no one was in sight of the Definite Spirit that watched over the forest, she’d climbed up the ladder to Link’s treehouse.
Inside, Link was facing his secret door, deciding on which piece of treasure would impress Saria the most. In the midst of hastily shuffling through gems, old Fairy slingshots, and various dungeon maps, he’d find something long forgotten.
It was his first and only drawing—a mess of scribbles that formed the image of a soldier standing on the edge of a cliff and overseeing the grand plain that was the Great Plateau. Taryon had practically forced him to draw it off the memory of the soldier statues, and as soon as it was done, Link forgot.
Seeing it again, the boy scratched his head in embarrassment. Just what was he thinking?
“Link!”
Gasp! Crap! Link’s body jolted as if fear had electrocuted him. Putting it back in the secret stash wouldn’t be enough. So, in a last ditch effort, he hid it behind his back just as Saria finally made her way up.
The redness on his face cartoonishly gave away everything.
“...Link?”
“H—hey!” Link greeted through the falsehood of calmness, “So, uh, how ya doing?”
“I should be asking you that.” Saria said, taking a few steps closer, “Your face looks so red. Do you have a fever?”
Step! Link took a sudden step back! “No—nope! I’m perfectly fine!”
Hmph! Saria pouted, crossing her arms and staring off to the side. “So you’re keeping secrets from me now? And here I thought we were best friends!” In dramatic melancholy fashion, the tone of her voice turned gloomy, and she brought a hand to her heart. “I see now that I was mistak—”
“WAIT!” Link’s hand flung outward instinctively, his face growing redder.
“Hehe!” Saria slipped her tongue through her lips while Link was too busy trying to bury his fear of embarrassment. She turned back to him, leaning her torso eagerly forward. “Well?”
“Okay, if I show you this… you have to promise to not make fun of me…”
“Don’t worry.” Saria said, her smile brightening up the room as it did everywhere else. “I’m not like the others. I wouldn’t make fun of something involving you.”
“...Thanks.”
Those words gave him a small amount of confidence which surprisingly was enough for him to show the drawing.
Looking to the side, his eyes would occasionally catch Saria’s expression. Her eyes were fixed on the drawing, trying to break down its intention. Faster than Link predicted, she eventually came to a conclusion. “Is this a drawing of a knight?”
“Yeah.” Link confirmed with a sigh.
“He’s got a unique sword.” Saria mentioned. The sword the knight of which Link attempted to depict was a blade with a single edge; the most important detail was the most visible and recognizable shape—or shapes—which was the Triforce. It was an emblem on the hilt of the sword, and had lines that indicated its brightness. “The Master Sword?”
“Well, kinda.” Link nodded, “I’ve been t-thinking about how the Master Sword I-is the strong sword in Hyrule but only one person gets it. It’s just… I think every knight should have a sword like that if it meant they’ll come back to their families… or, maybe that’s right.”
“It’s a pretty cool interpretation.” Saria said.
“...Really?” Link eased up a bit.
“Yeah.” Confirmation. She analyzed the picture even further, one finger laced on top of her lips. “I think I have a theory of my own. Wanna hear it?”
Surprised, but ultimately glad, Link’s arm lost its stiffness and he had no reason to hide his embarrassment, for it was a dying light. “Go on.”
“The knight here has crafted his own version of the Master Sword because the original Blade of Legends was destroyed or no one else could pull it. He’s standing over the Great Plateau to see if there’s an enemy strong enough to prove its worth to the world. It’s like a desperate last move a hero does in a legend that works out no matter what.”
Such a thoughtful and inciting answer.
The way you could find a lot in everything.
It made me think that you were Taryon’s lost child.
“Huh.” Link smiled, drawing his eyes to the picture. He had lost all embarrassment from it. What kind of magic was this? “I never thought of it that way.”
“Anything is a masterpiece if you look hard enough.” Saria said, “I mean, people really took the time to write about some Hylian climbing a beanstalk and some Kokiri who couldn’t even grow up and just flew. We’re still told those stories, though.”
It felt like with you, I learned something new everyday.
It made me realize just how single minded I really was.
The whole treasure aspect of the meeting had been forgotten, and now, the Kokiri girl brought up a different topic—an idea she picked up from the drawing.
“So you went to the Great Plateau, too, huh?”
“Y’mean you went there too? But wouldn’t the others know?” He asked, “Kokiri children aren’t supposed to leave the forest.”
“The Great Deku Tree says otherwise.” Saria said, “That’s only what the Kokiri parents think. My parents don’t mind if I leave the forest. There’s plenty of green out there, after all. Say—” Her eyes lit up as an idea illuminated her mind. “—Why don’t we go out to the Great Plateau one day? If your dad allows it?”
“You sure?” Link stood baffled by her confidence, and of course it wasn’t the first time. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble or anything with me being around.”
“You talk as if you're a burden.”
“It wouldn't be too far off.”
“Think about what I think about you.” Saria posed. Thereafter, their eyes locked, cultivating the essence of their youthful connection within the air. “I don't care if you don't have a Fairy.”
Link’s face burned red.
Of course.
You were the only one who thought that.
“For all I know, you’re probably the kindest out of all of those other kids!”
I guess I wasn’t shy anymore, so I accepted that and hugged you immediately after those words.
You were confused for a moment, but you hugged me back.
At that moment, I thought to myself: What is the name of this precious feeling?
One night, me and you snuck out of the Forest; Your Fairy was nice enough to lead us to where we wanted to go—the Great Plateau.
For the Kokiri never wanting us to leave the forest, it wasn’t that far at all. We got there in like six or seven minutes—and for the next fifteen, we were as free as the wind.
As we ran across the field, playing hide and seek using the cathedrals and fortresses; and tag across the Hyrulian field, I felt like as much as I had gotten to know you, you were hiding a bunch from me.
While we played, your words matched the game we played.
Then all of the sudden…
“I’m going to make this place my home!”
You’d say something like that whenever you saw some castle.
By the time we were laying in the middle of the Plateau, and looking up at the fireworks that looked like mini supernovas, my curiosity was too great.
Your mindset, and your willingness to reach out to me.
Where in the world did it come from?
“Hey, Saria?” Link’s hands were folded behind his head. “Do you have a caretaker?”
“...You mean, like a parent?” Saria turned her head over, then back to the stars as Link nodded. “Well, not that I know of.”
“Really?” Link looked at her eyes—they were further illuminated by the fireworks.
“I’m like everyone else in the Kokiri Forest. My parents are either somewhere far out or dead.”
“Maybe that was why they were so angry,” I thought.
“The forest itself is too small for me. Everyone acts the same, and does the same things everyday.” Saria smiled, and faced Link. “Except you.”
That sense of overflowing affection came to my heart again, and the thought of me thinking that being different was acceptable faded.
A lot of my negative thoughts did that when we talked.
As the seconds passed, I noticed that your smile wasn’t natural.
You wanted something beyond this life.
I didn’t want you to keep it in.
So, I made the decision to hold your hand.
Finally, you made that same embarrassed face I made whenever we talked. You tried to hide it, but I assured you there wasn’t a need to, and you listened without question, facing me with a smile.
“Link.” Her voice fell soft, “I hope that someday—the Kokiri can be just as different as us. I’m getting sick of that place. I was planning on running away, but my Fairy would stop me, and—”
Their eyes locked again, and Saria rolled over to place her hand on top of his. Both of their cheeks were burning red, and in that moment,
Boom!
The largest firework up to this point had exploded right in between the two’ eyes. It was a radiance that matched even the light of the moon—and half that of the blue sky. Quantities of colorful lights illuminated their eyes constantly, and this current distance between them only made their hearts grow fonder.
“—You came into my life.”
Saria finished her sentence.
The confirmation of my life’s significance to another was a height that I knew could never be reached again. Staring into your eyes, I think I realized that our connection was still only beginning.
“We should both stay.”
That was my response.
We didn’t have anything else to say while we watched the fireworks—their end—and the revealing of the lights of the void beyond.
I think a few days after that, you were off doing something with the others.
I didn’t know what else to do besides going exploring, but I wanted to understand our connection better.
There was no one better to ask than Taryon, my dad.
That day, he sat in the living room, which was pretty circular. I remember a large part of the wall being closed off by a bookshelf that ended at the stairs.
He was too busy solving some puzzles on his Sheikah Slate in his rocking chair. I only got a glimpse of it and from what I saw, it was like a 3D puzzle game where you use a specific set of items to combine two large objects together.
Never once did he let me use it.
“Dad.” Link came down from the stairs, hands laced behind his back. Taryon’s ears twitched but he ultimately kept his eyes on the puzzle.
“Yes?”
“There’s something I want to ask you...” Link stopped in the center of the room, and refuted from looking at his father.
“Go ahead.” Darn it! Taryon grunted as he failed the puzzle, and had to restart once more.
“Do you know… how to talk to someone? Like, a girl?”
With that question, Taryon shut off his Shekiah Slate and his old sunken eyes fired up with life. “...Why do you feel the need to? You’ve finally made a friend amongst the Kokiri?”
“I think she’s more than just a friend.” Link said. With Saria’s face appearing in his mind, a smile that reflected being lost in past affection and a hope for future affection appeared. “Her name’s Saria, you see. Me and her have been together for about a few weeks, and honestly, I can’t stop thinking about her. Whenever I’m alone, I keep remembering our time together.”
“So, you’re in love?!”
I guess there, I had no shame in admitting it.
“Maybe.”
“From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like there’s any room for doubt.” Taryon stood up, stroking his beard. “You’re in love, Link, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The only question is: Does she feel the same way?”
Link remembered them holding hands that night. That kind of smile was way more different—much more warmer than any of her other ones. “I think so.”
“I’m happy for you, Link. Truly.” Taryon smiled.
Link stomped his foot in anticipation, his pupils enlarged as he grew more eager. “Well, old man?! You got any advice for me?!”
“In all honesty, I’m stumped on things like love. Although I’ve read many romance books, there’s only so much I know—and there’s a good chance that most of it is oversaturated or outdated.”
Taryon gave a rather disappointing answer. For a moment, Link stood with his head down, and thought about accepting the reality of his answer being something found in the depths of solitarian madness.
However, there was never a single moment where Taryon’s brain couldn’t form an idea on the fly.
“But, I think you should accept how much you’ve changed her, and how much she’s changed you.” Taryon said. It looked as if he was thinking of an experience that led to this conclusion. “The words you speak aren’t leading up to some prize, like a kiss or a hug. If you want to love this girl, you need to see every moment as a process of love. You’re too young to be thinking about growing old, so just have fun with each other. Look out for each other. Inspire each other.”
Link was never truly alone.
To believe that I could inspire anyway was unbelievable. I was just some kid without a Fairy.
But even with your Fairy, that was just it. You could’ve hung around the others, but given how long it took for you to look at me, I think you felt the same way I did.
So I learned more about you. The more time that went on, the less scared she became to be seen by the others with me. I was kinda reluctant, but whenever I went out, you wrapped your hands around my arms to feel safe.
I did too.
I noticed you took an interest in a lot of things outdoors. You were much more analytical, though. Somehow, someway, you could spot a rain droplet on the smallest leaf like thirty feet away.
Out of all things, there was one thing you had a conflicting connection with.
You really didn’t like the water of the opening the children lived in, but you liked jumping over the platforms floating on top of it. The Water Spirits stared at you angrily.
“If you don’t like something, then you should avoid it. This makes me get better at avoiding the things I don’t like.”
That was why. Confusingly, you’d apologize to the Spirits after. There was something else with the water, too. Every two weeks, there was this event called “Frog Season” that lasted two days.
We had to impress the Frog Spirits that came out of the Domain of the Great Deku Tree. For two days, their home would be the waters Saria hated so much. The goal was to try to impress them so they’d get some sleep. That was the only way they’d be satisfied, and not croak at night.
Usually, everyone tried what they could. It was like a talent show, except nobody actually won or tried to win. They really just wanted to have fun, even if the croaks at night were more than annoying.
This time, I actually went out to see one. I didn’t have anything to show, so I just sat there along with Saria. You told me you did the same thing every time, but today, because I was there, you stood up.
You were more determined than ever to show off something—and what she showed off to the frogs wasn’t the object itself, but the sound she made with it.
A song that contained the essence of the peacefulness of this forest.
A Song of Storms.
Seeing you play it, I didn’t even realize just how much music I had heard, and forgotten. That tune was something I couldn’t forget.
You performed a miracle that none of the other children could. The satisfaction of the Frog Spirits, and a peaceful sleep for all.
You looked so happy when playing it. I wanted to do it, too.
So, the next day, I invited you up to my tree house, and asked you to teach me how to play.
I knew a lot about instruments in my subconscious, so understanding the notes on their sound was easy.
But playing it was the only thing I truly struggled with in my life. A lot of the times when playing a scale, I grew frustrated at the slightest mistake. That made me want to be better at it—so much so that I spent countless hours mastering it.
Even though you were happy just seeing me play, I couldn’t help but feel as if I wasn’t doing enough. If I could play that song like you did, then maybe I could be like you.
Eventually, that day came. You came out of your house when the sun was barely out, tired, and there I was on top of a nearby hill, playing that song perfectly.
When I hopped down, you gave me words of affection, and yet, you had a sad look on your face. I was under the impression that something was wrong with how I played it, but your answer truly opened my eyes.
“I created this song all by myself. I wanted it to resonate with the humans and Spirits of this forest. It’s honestly my best work, and yet, you learned it way faster than I did.” Saria stared down at the floor, twiddling her fingers. “I’m happy for you, really. But, I can’t help but feel like I’m not doing a good job.”
"But...."
"Don't worry, Link." Saria said, pausing to say, "I've never thought I was good at playing that instrument."
Then, you walked off.
And even with my hand extended, I couldn’t say anything. Maybe I was too adamant on accepting your feelings, or I was just too weak to say anything.
Either way, I knew that this barrier of mine needed to break.
That night, I found you on the edge of the Great Plateau. You were eyeing the Grass Spirits that faded away when they touched your hand.
I decided not to be like them, and take your hand.
Fwp!
Link brought Saria to her feet, and the world stopped as they peered into each other’s eyes.
Finally gathering up the courage, Link would speak with nothing holding him back. Nothing more than the rawness of his humanity. “If you don’t feel like you’re doing a good job, I want you to know this…” … “The reason I wanted to get better at playing the ocarina was because of you!”
But it was more than that.
“If I’m being honest, ever since you came into my life, I’ve never been happier! Every day, I wake up happy at the thought that someone besides my dad sees me as an actual human! I didn’t even think that it was possible to feel like this until you came into my life!”
The releasing of emotions felt as if he was leaving an opportunity for a harsh truth to strike him.
But right now, it was as strong a need as it was a want.
“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Saria! There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll be able to change this forest. Darn it! I should’ve said something to you earlier, and I’m sorry for that.” Link went on, growing more and more passionate with each word. “Walking with you. Talking to you. Playing with you. It’s made me so… happy. So… alive.”
“Link…” Saria spoke his name softly, her anticipation rising. “What are you saying?”
There was no need to reject the words he had wanted to say for so long at this moment.
Tears streaming down his eyes, Link accumulated all of his experiences and soul into four words.
“I love you, Saria.”
The feeling that arose from hearing these words weren’t shock—but instead, a smoldering determination.
She, too, had been holding those words back for so long. It hurt to know that Link had once again bested her in her own standards, but for the words he spoke, she didn’t want to see those tears any longer.
She refuted from self-deprecating, and wiped away his tears while also holding back her own.
In Hyrule, the Spirit of Love came in the form of three hearts that bonded together to form a larger heart with a series of gold sigils on it.
That very Spirit would begin to form slowly in a brilliant show of lights as the two would move closer together, working to bind the chain that outlasted lifetimes.
They had both decided that they didn’t want to let go of each other in any reality.
A tightly connected chain with love burned into the metal.
They breathed in the promise deep to their hearts, aimed at one another.
And standing under the moonlight, was the blossoming of an innocent love.
The beginning of a time where the world seemed so calm. A world where they alone, could live in an eternal happiness.
I wouldn’t let go of my beloved.
I had finally been helped by the person I wanted to help all this time.
Now, I get the luxury of that person standing by my side each and every day.
Seasons passed, and we were the only ones that got to see it.
The leaves falling, the snow filling the Great Plateau with white.
It’s selfish, but we could never break the chain.
I couldn’t help but think: “Was this all it took?”
It was in a bottomless void the entire time.
It’s filled with light, now.
The kindness you showed to me doesn’t hurt anymore.
Us holding hands.
Jumping over the water.
Talking to the Spirits.
Climbing the trees.
Each and every second of loving you, were the days I always wanted burned into my heart.
And now that we’re together, we can accept this.
Love.
I never thought about… how beautiful it could be.
It's so powerful, I don't even know If I'm in the past or future.
A connection between two souls that were impenetrable, and the soul that was composed by its effort.
The soul of love.
The name of their connection.
Reality was finally better than a dream.
In normal circumstances, this would be how the story of Link Hyrulia ends.
But, it was only the beginning of a much darker path.
.
.
.
But before the story's progression, everything faded to darkness.
Of course, Link wasn’t the only one watching his story.
Pit, who stood in an endless void, was also a spectator, and now, only one thing prevented him from fully understanding his opponent.
The dark manifestation of Pit himself, standing before him, red eyes the only thing that made it identifiable.
This is how Link sees me. Pit realized, tightening his fists.
“Let me through.” He commanded.
“Even if you do, what will it change? He’ll never be like the one you fought side by side with.”
“I don't know if it will change anything, whether that’d be my feelings or even his life.” Pit admitted, staring at the fist that was once clenched with anger, and now was clenched in anger at his own inadequacy as an angel to even see this darkness. “But I’m not dying until I see how the story of Link Hyrulia ends!”
Dash! He charged forward towards his shadowy replica, unleashing a punch that, of course, made it disperse. “Outta my way!”
But the void itself continued to exist, and Pit could only see the shards of what remained of Link Hyrulia’s story. A puzzle piece that he had to put together.
A semblance of light appeared from a sudden shard of reality from behind that towered over Pit like a giant. It depicted three scenes.
Link waking up to his Fairy.
Saria, his lover, being deeply happy for him.
And then, the prophecy.
The truth of Navi’s origins were revealed a few days later, when Link had a dream of standing before the Great Plateau, and seeing the embodiment of sheer evil reigning happily upon the remains of the castle.
Ganondorf… the King of Dark Spirits.
The Great Deku Tree summoned Link, and revealed that he was the next one to wield the Master Sword.
After undergoing a trial of fighting the dangers inside of the Great Deku Tree, Link was finally respected by the other Kokiri children.
To his dismay, Saria was happy as well, for now, everyone could bond together, and accept Link and his story.
But, the next shard, which appeared behind Pit, showed only one picture.
Link’s face, full of rage and tiredness, shouting at all of the Kokiri children, which included Saria, too.
“I’ve been worth it all this time! You’re only accepting me now because I fit in!” The boy shouted, “Forget about being friends with me! I’ll never hang around you guys!"
I get it.
Pit was ashamed.
That was the only time you were accepted.
Thunk! After the shattering of the next shard, a much larger one appeared above the angel. Unlike the others, this one was fully moving.
It took a massive jump into the future, where Link was to leave behind all that he knew to begin his heroic journey to fulfill his destiny. The day before, he had promised that he’d come back for Taryon, but did he really want to?
The promise he made to Saria the day before the acceptance of his existence from the Kokiri became too much for him to bear—it was lingering in his head as well.
A part of him, for the sake of not seeing her sad face, wanted to accept the finality of that union. He never liked the other children in the forest anyway.
But upon arriving at the bridge that marked his permanent leave, Saria stood, unwilling to accept a leave without a word to her beloved.
“I knew it, Link.”
Words that made Link pause.
“You got your Fairy much later than anyone else. The only possible reason for that was for your heritage.” Saria said, “I just thought… you getting a Fairy would finally mean that this forest could finally be accepting with one another. Unfortunately, I didn’t take your pain into consideration… and you grew rightfully angry at me.”
Link turned to her, eyes devoid of life and filled with disparity.
Saria reframed from making eye contact with him, too ashamed to bear the weight of her mistake.
The most she could do was guide his hand to a parting gift.
Her ocarina.
“You said you’d come back to me, so… take this.” Saria was trying her hardest to hold back tears. Her grip on Link’s hand intensified, and both could feel the chain meeting the concept of breaking for the first time. “I’ll always be waiting for you, Link. No matter what.”
Link didn’t want to leave, but the reappearance of a once broken boundary silenced the depths of his heart from being expressed. “I’ll be back, Saria.”
Then, Link’s voice reappeared for the final scene.
I let go of my lover.
I didn’t need it any longer.
My thoughts were crushed into millions of pieces.
My heart was rusting, as if a curse was slowly consuming me.
This was the hardest choice I’d ever made, and it was the same for her.
I turned away, and was too ashamed to look back.
But the more I avoided looking, the more tears that stained my path.
Navi was my only companion, but…
In my spiraling, I abandoned her.
Back to the beautiful plan of serenity, the child who lost everything stood broken, crushed under the weight of his past and the severity of his future. Skull Kid’s laughing, and Saria’s comforting.
Just how could he do anything as Link Hyrulia?!
Pit watched from afar, but didn’t intervene.
No. He paused the moment after his first step. I’m not that one who should help right now.
But who would?
There was at least one thing Link could say.
To spill out his emotions like he did all those years ago.
“Saria…”
Skull Kid expected him to reject her.
“...I have something to say…”
But the lights proved to be far too bright.
Link slowly stood up, accepting Saria’s hand. It still felt as soft as it was back in their days of innocence. This dagger in his heart could finally be incinerated, as all of his experiences thus far in his new life rebuilt the vulnerability needed for expression. “After I left, so many new faces appeared, and I couldn’t remember any of their names. All they wanted for me was to protect them, but that’s not what I wanted. Even when I left, everyone was far, far away from vision. Nobody accepted each other, and they put me on a pedestal. But, the truth was…” Tears of anguish…
“...Nobody there called my name the way you did!”
And there it was.
An epiphany from the shunning of his humanity for so long.
Wiping his tears, he continued, ignoring Skull Kid completely. “But now, I’ve found people who care about me and share their ideals with me!”
The First Goodwill Team…
“The Spectrals have a grand job, but everyone else is the same as me! They have a responsibility just like I do, even if it’s small. There’s only one on my team who shares my burden, and one that has it worse than me. Despite that…” … “They’re the nicest people I’ve ever met.”
Pit remembered Mario, and descended further into regret.
He wouldn’t want this.
“There’s this girl, too.” Link added, sniffling, “She was annoying to me at first, but she’s actually the sweetest person I’ve met so far! She’s so happy despite everything, and she’s made me smile so much! This entire day with her, the sky still looked blue! But, what if I’m a curse? I’m a hero just like the rest of them—and I kept being told that another evil was emerging just because I existed. I… I…”
His vocal cords couldn't understand these words nor could they bear their rawness. There were no thoughts in between them, and that made Link doubt the credibility of these words.
Was it him speaking?
Either way, there was one thing he’d never admit to anyone else.
And that was…
“This new life of mine has brought some good things, and yet, I can’t escape my destiny! Being a hero back then was different because I had never done it before, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s my fault that people died! What I tried to twist into a gift turned out to be meaningless! You must’ve been suffering so much, and I couldn’t do anything!”
Link fell onto the floor, crying profusely in a fetal position. He hid his head in his arms, and in a horrifying fashion, began scratching his arms with the full intention to inflict as much pain as possible. “I’m nothing… but a murderer!”
There, Skull Kid regained his integrity. Confidence in an everlasting influence seemed nothing but certain.
But Saria wouldn’t accept this. She knew of the light standing right behind her, waiting to guide him back. But first, she would have to give him a piece of her heart… for the final time.
“I’m just as responsible as you.” Saria kneeled down, and embraced him—her arms wrapped around his back. He stopped his ruthless scratching, and opened his eyes that were exhausted by the tears. “I wanted you to come back for me, but…”
The memory of his leave was dampened by a shadowy outline.
“...Looking back on it now, I should’ve gone with you, despite everything. Then, you wouldn’t be so lonely.” Saria admitted.
“But… you would’ve been…”
“...Maybe, but at the same time, maybe I could’ve been by your side, and supported you.” The feeling of Link’s hands, bringing her back to the lingering pain of childhood, made tears creep out of her eyes. “Even if we both feel angry at ourselves, we can’t give up on each other. After all… y–you…. You were the one who taught me that! You were my hero, Link! I don’t care if the world is mad at you! I will never leave your heart—and that’s….”
Link chimed in suddenly, with, “That’s… okay?”
“Yes!” Saria reclaimed her upright position, and stared deeply into his eyes. “When you left, that’s when I truly died. But, looking back at it now, that absence made my heart grow fonder. I died hoping that you were okay, at least.”
Words that held the essence of relief.
“But now, Link, you have a choice.” Saria stated, getting him back on his feet, “I may be a burden on your consciousness. I’ve been in here so long, and I’ve seen all the memories you’ve suppressed. You can see me because you’re making progress. If you want to become someone else, then keep me in your heart, and go and take the only piece of humanity that you hate the least, if at all, or…”
She pointed a finger over to Skull Kid.
“...Keep the Dark Spirit in your heart, and become something completely new. It’s up to you, Link Hyrulia.”
A decision is to be made here and now.
With those words, Saria and Skull Kid left Link into a world of everything black, and everything alone.
However, the decision wasn’t his to make alone.
A light from afar twinkled, growing brighter and brighter with each passing second.
Eventually, Pit, basked in light and gold, shot out.
In truth, his eyes saw the man who he fought side by side with before him.
The Hero of Twilight, and the result of carrying a burden that not even he saw.
There were many legends of Links and even Zeldas, and a good majority of them walked the path of glory and heroism. It had been like that ever since Hyrule’s creation.
Now, those legends were deemed meaningless in the face of the words Link Hyrulia needed to hear.
Pit approached him slowly, his footsteps echoing a liquid like sound through the void.
Step.
Step.
Step.
“Let’s go back.” Pit commanded.
“....I won’t be able to slay you.” Link said, “I can’t be the hero of this story.”
His resolve was at an all time low.
“Maybe not, but you can be the hero to your friends.”
Friend.
Right, friends.
The ones who had been with him in this new life.
“I…”
Pit’s eyes fell hollow. Even now, there was a small amount of courage needed to explain his words.
But eventually, he did.
“It was my mistake to see you as a failure. I’ve fought side by side with so many amazing people, and yet, I’ve only seen you as someone from the past—and haven’t truly reached out to you. Even if I’m an angel, I don’t really have a right to tell you what you should be.” … “All my anger amounted to… was fiction.”
Then, another light formed.
This time, it came in the form of extending a helping hand.
Suddenly, Link, still carrying tears, finally raised his head, and gazed at the blinding light from this angel.
“If you have people waiting for you, and you haven’t given up yet…”
Then, something snapped inside of Pit. A sudden desperation to correct his wrongdoing. No, it was more than that. It was the adrenaline to help this crying child.
“...Then let’s find another way to the end, together!” Pit shouted, an overwhelming intensity reflected in his eyes. “I’ll stand here as long as I need to, calling your name over and over in hopes that you’ll realize what it meant to someone else back then!”
The significance of life.
His name.
“Take my hand, Link Hyrulia!”
A command.
A new hope.
The reminiscence of the chains of love that left both of them.
“There’s still so much you need to see! Don’t give up now!”
And in response to this light, a will to fight emerged as a kindling flame from the aftermath of a volcano’s ashes.
There is an unfathomable amount of power in a name alone.
In other words, Link Hyrulia was not done fighting.
Now, the true story begins.