Link didn't know whether to smile or weep as he found himself in a land he had thought long behind him. He had been gone for years, the events that lead to the Seven's Year War should have come and gone for the people of Hyrule. Ganondorf would be imprisoned in the sacred realm, the only prison that could possibly hold the wielder of the Triforce of Power at bay for the people of his adopted homeland to know peace.
Link wished he could say the same was true for him, after all Zelda had sent him back to have a normal childhood. It hadn't worked out, and he had ended up fleeing with the other refugee's of Hyrule to new lands and new adventures. A sense of wanderlust had gripped him and as soon as he had won against the evil that had gripped the land he had found his feet taking him in a new direction. During some of the darkest times he wondered if this was the cost of bearing the Triforce of Courage, to constantly risk his life facing monsters that would drive sane men mad.
This was Link's second time back in Hyrule, though if he went by most people's time this would count as his third, but his first was after his visit to a strange land called Termina. While there he lived the same three days five times, even running into his future self and then later on his past self. Worried he might have deprived himself of Epona for his adult adventures in Hyrule, he quietly returned to Lonlon Ranch and left her in their care until the Hero of Time needed her. Like a wraith, he left as quickly and silently as he had come. The war was in full force, the grass on Hyrule Field burned and bodies had been left to rot under a hot sun. Link had stayed away, he had already fought and won this war, charging in to these battles wouldn't change that and could even act as a warning to Ganondorf that he was alive and active.
Link let those memories of a hell on Earth fade. How long had it been since he defeated Ganon? For the people of Hyrule it should have been a year since the people last saw their enigmatic Hero of Time. Link had traveled through the Underwood, arriving in lands with strange seasons and people that Link could have been gone for sixteen years for what it felt like to him. Regardless of that he looked like a man barely in to his twentieth summer, with piercing blue eyes and blond hair that had led a few maidens to call him handsome. Wearing his traditional green tunic, pants, and cap he should still be recognizable when he'd make his presence known. On his hands were a sturdy pair of bracers that protected his forearms and around his waist his greatest treasures. A small sword fit for a child, an ocarina the color of a clear sky, four wooden masks, and a bag holding a few other trinkets he'd picked up on his journeys.
Link's fingers traced over the wood of the Deku mask, its curse still potent after all this time, even as the dark clouds that had been threatening a storm since the morning unleashed their fury. It was raining hard with thunder and lightning in Hyrule and wearing a brown cloak with a hood, Link hoped he wouldn't catch a chill from the rain soaking him down to the bone.
It was almost relief to see a blue sphere open up in front of his path. He could feel the that same wanderlust that had pulled him now directing him to this strange sphere. Apparently he would be able to put off his homecoming a little longer, this would require some investigation. Link moved closer to the strange phenomenon but the sphere did nothing. Not his first time dealing with magic but curious Link drew his small sword and stabbed at the oddity and felt no resistance. Sheathing the blade, he then put his hand in but when he tried to remove it he found himself stuck. Grabbing his arm and bracing himself Link pulled back forcefully only to feel himself being pulled back. "Splinters in the Eye."
Everything exploded, like that night he'd gotten drunk next to the bomb shop except this time he didn't have the pleasant feeling of a hangover. His body aching like he'd been trampled and his head was going to split. Compared to Farore's Wind, Link had to classify that teleportation spell as this side of gut wrenching and he laid out on the ground. Link tried to decide if throwing up would be acceptable with his new surroundings. The grass was green and looking around Link saw boys and girls his own age, well physically at least wearing similar outfits, white shirts and black capes with a clasp bearing a symbol Link had seen during his travels by a group of cultists.
The land had been different than this one but perhaps they shared a similar belief. The crowd began talking amongst itself taking in the strange clothes and the charming looks of the stranger in their midst and speaking strange words that Link couldn't understand. Before the smoke had fully cleared though a pink haired girl shouted. The words were unintelligible and Link was about to inform the girl of the fact when she pressed her lips to his, giving him a gentle kiss.
Link was stunned as the girl backed away and spoke some more with the elder man. Link tried again to get their attention only to be interrupted by the subtle feeling of his magic draining throughout his body in to a singular point on his hand. Link was terrified that whatever had been done had activated Link's piece of the Triforce but the light of magic didn't break through his gloves. Whatever the girl had done to him was something new, similar to the gifts of the Great Fairies.
Whatever this new gift was it must surely come at a price and as soon as he could discover a way to converse with the girl he would learn what new duty fate had placed him with. Since the sun was shining he could at least take down his hood but as he did so the crowd froze, looking terrified, while in contrast the pink haired girl looked excited. Link tried to put the crowd at ease and held up his hands in the air.
"I mean you no harm. I am a stranger to this land and was drawn here by a strange power." Judging by the looks he was getting it looked like the people were even more frightened now and the balding man pointing a stick at Link. "I don't suppose we could end this peacefully?" I suppose not, were Link's final thoughts as a massive fireball appeared and struck Link with such force that he was blasted off his feet. Already feeling like hell, Link decided now was the perfect time for a nap.
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(Posted Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:01)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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