Chapter Text
Despite being the youngest knight, Link had risen through the ranks and into the Royal Guard within only a few short years. His skill in combat was unmatched. Even at a young age his potential had been apparent, and now nearing the end of his adolescence, he had reached his peak. It was only natural to assume that he must be the hero foretold in the ancient prophecy. He was a warrior of unparalleled prowess, and a descendant of a member of the Royal Guard. He fit all the requirements, and it came to no one’s surprise when King Rhoam eventually decided to place the impossible task upon Link’s shoulders: Retrieve the Master Sword. If Link was truly the hero of legend, he would make it through the Lost Woods without fail, discover the sword of evil’s bane, and return unharmed. Only the hero could wield it after all. And so— with King Rhoam’s swift order, Princess Zelda looking on in curiosity, Link was given the task that no other had qualified for. Wasting no time, Link departed from Hyrule Castle Town on the back of his horse, Epona. The Royal Guard and the supportive populace saw him off, waving the banner of the kingdom and scattering petals as if it were a funeral procession. In many ways, it was. For if he failed, Link would never return.
...
On horseback, Link would make good time and soon arrive in front of the entrance to the Lost Woods. It appeared rather unassuming from the outside, but he presumed the real danger would begin as he passed its border. Link slid down from Epona’s back, and a creeping dread began to take hold of him as he stared into the forest’s gaping maw. Epona, sensing his fear, nudged his shoulder gently as a show of reassurance. Link couldn’t help but smile. No matter how well he buried his emotions, Epona always knew how to read him. Although fear still lingered within him, Epona’s gesture had helped him find his courage. “Wait for me here girl, but if I don’t return, you know the way home.” Link stroked her nose, speaking softly as she nuzzled into his touch. Link cherished the small moment between them, for it very well may be the last. Epona seemed to understand, staying back as Link parted from her and faced forest alone.
After only a few steps into the Lost Woods, Link soon found himself surrounded in a heavy mist. He couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead of him, and something about it seemed unnatural. It must be the Lost Wood’s uncanny power to confuse any would be trespassers. Would he be doomed to wander these woods forever? It almost seemed like it, until his surroundings eventually seemed to change. The winding trees parted to reveal a small clearing. Within it stood a firelit pillar and a partly spent torch lying by its side. Link looked on in bewilderment. For a moment, he could swear he heard giggling from somewhere within the mist. After a moment of hesitation, Link took the torch. He couldn’t help but feel that he was being watched, and that someone had clearly left this for him. Was this a test? Although the forest was well lit, with soft sunlight just able to pierce through the intense fog, Link decided to follow his gut feeling and light the torch. His eyes widened almost immediately as the torch’s embers seemed to blow directly towards his left, despite the fact that the air was perfectly still. There wasn’t a gale to be had, and yet the flames twisted as if influenced by an unseen force. With nothing left to do, Link swallowed his fear and followed the flow of embers.
Link’s path was long and arduous as he chased the cinders of his burning torch, careful to ensure it stayed lit, yet moving quickly before it was entirely spent. He grew weary wading through the fog. Just how long had he been wandering through the forest? Voices— he could swear he was hearing voices almost like children. Had it been so long that he’d begun to lose his mind? He grit his teeth, searching his heart for the will to continue as his legs seemed to become like lead. Just when he thought he could walk no more, the trees finally seemed to lessen, the fog slowly parting. He had arrived at the center of a clearing, warm sunshine filtering through the trees. Link’s torch sputtered out as a fresh wind washed over him. He felt eyes on him, but he paid no heed to the tingling in his neck as he sighted the object of his quest. There it was, the Master Sword awaiting him on its stony pedestal. He approached tentatively; the craftsmanship was truly immaculate, the blade seemed to shimmer with a divine light as the sunlight hit it. He had survived the trial of the Lost Woods, now all he had left to do was to take the sword. Link swallowed hard as he reached to brush his hand against the hilt.
“...You’ve come.”
A slow, gravely voice spoke out suddenly, and the enormous tree in front of Link began to move. Its roots seemed to shape a face upon its massive trunk. Link stiffened, nearly jumping out of his skin. His eyes slowly raised to look upon the wood that seemed to gaze back down at him.
“I have long awaited the arrival of one such as you, young warrior. I am the Deku Tree.” It steadily introduced. It was alive indeed. “I have watched over this forest, and all of Hyrule since time immemorial.”
Link’s rapidly beating heart slowly eased as the tree explained itself. He had heard the legends of the great forest guardian, no doubt the very same rooted before him. As the Deku Tree spoke, little creatures that looked like saplings began to spring up from behind the roots of the Deku Tree. Koroks— children of the forest. They let out that familiar giggling Link had heard in the forest, peering at him curiously from behind their leafy masks from the safety of the Deku Tree.
“...My name is Link. If you’ve been expecting me, then that must mean you know that I’ve come for the Master Sword.” Link remained composed and responded in turn to the Deku Tree, trying his best to ignore the numerous eyes that bore into him.
“...Link. You have shown great courage in making it here. That blade before you is the one you seek, created by the Goddess herself that only the chosen hero can wield against the Calamity Ganon.” The Deku Tree spoke slowly as it regarded Link, whatever eyes it may have heavily obscured by his brows. “However, I must warn you to take extreme caution. The sword stands as a test to anyone who would wield it.”
Link flinched at The Deku Tree’s sudden change in tone, despite already knowing what was coming next.
“If you do not possess the strength to free the sword, then you would surely lose your life where you stand.”
Link’s heart fluttered in his chest, yet his mind was already made up. He had since accepted the possibility. Even if he died here, he would die in service of his kingdom. As a knight, that was more than he could ever wish for.
“I can see the resolve in your eyes. Perhaps you may be the hero that this world so desperately needs.”
Link grasped the hilt of the Master Sword. Anxiety washed over him in waves, yet it only made his courage burn brighter in his heart. So many were counting on him, so many placed their hopes in him. He had to do this. Link wrapped his other hand around the hilt. All eyes were on him as he gathered his strength.
“I won’t fail.”
Link gripped the sword tight and pulled. As soon as he did, he felt a powerful force grasp his heart. The sword shifted, breaking free just slightly from its rest as Link’s lifeforce was forcefully ripped away by the Master Sword. He gasped, struggling to keep himself breathing as his mind and body was assaulted. His life flashed before his eyes, a blinding whirl of color and memories filled his mind’s eye as his body fought to survive. He saw the rolling green hills of his hometown, Hateno Village. He remembered his mother’s gentle smile, the steady clasp of his father’s hand over his shoulder, and the tiny grip of his little sister’s hand around his. This is what he was fighting for. He couldn’t lose here. In truth, he had chosen to become a knight based purely upon what his father, grandfather, and all those before him had been. His father had such high hopes for him, who else should Link offer his extraordinary skill to but the Royal Family themselves? Link fought to make his family proud, to protect his home and his kingdom. Even if it hadn’t been his own choice, he was resigned to it and whatever fate that may follow if he should truly became the hero.
The Master Sword rose just a little more from its pedestal, almost as if sensing Link’s intense resolve. His breaths grew heavy as he delved deeper into his memories for strength.
The sunlit wetlands, vast swamps shimmering under the evening sun. Sitting in his mother’s lap, Link rode to Zora’s Domain on a trip. It was there that he and all his Zora friends would play and soak in the Domain’s clear waters without a care in the world. However, he was missing something. No… Someone. Red like the sunset, sharp wisened eyes like amber, and a warm but timid smile— Mipha.
The sword rose sharply from its stony sheath. It was almost free.
Mipha, although no bigger than he was, was always much more mature and wiser than the other Zora children. Link had never cared, she was his best friend regardless. He would play-fight with the other Zoras and charge about through the waters to keep up with them, amassing a number of scrapes and bruises along the way. Mipha was always by his side, chastising him for his recklessness despite the good natured glimmer in her eyes. The cool gentle light that sprung forth from her palms would wipe away all of his pain as if it had never been.
Link pulled and pulled, yet the sword did not budge any further. What was he missing? Was his resolve not good enough? He knew what he was fighting for, and was committed to his fate no matter what came. What more could he possibly have to prove? ...Why did his mind continue to linger on his memory of Mipha? In what felt like his final moments, Link could not stop thinking of her. His duty had taken him far away from her, just how long had it been since he’d seen her? Surely she must’ve grown up in their time apart. How much had she changed, how much of her life had he missed? Link grit his teeth, struggling to hold onto life as a bitter sorrow began to blossom within him. His greatest regret for becoming a knight was the fact that he had left so much behind. All his friends, his family, even his dearest Mipha. He had become the very best and achieved so much, but at a great cost. He gave so selflessly, that he had nothing left but his duty. Tears began to well up in Link’s eyes, finding its way to spill from his tightly shut eyelids as he pulled in vain. He so badly wanted more than the life that had been molded for him. He wanted to live a carefree life, to see his friends and family again. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to hear Mipha’s gentle voice on his ears, her soothing touch against him just one last time. With one final heave, the Master Sword answered to his desperate cry for life and came free.
The blade of the Master Sword shone bright as it chose its wielder. The low hanging mist gathering against the earth parted as Link raised the sword skyward. Gasping, life almost completely spent, he gazed upon the heavenly steel. Drawing in a sharp breath, he gave the sword a triumphant swing. As many swords did, it felt so natural in his hands, yet the Master Sword was different. It felt as if it had always been meant for him. Although Link’s body still ached, his mind was clear; the test of the Master Sword seemed to have awakened something within him.
He wanted to live.