Solar Eclipse (Link x Male reader)

Chapter 6: Fight or Flight? Part 1

"YAH!!"

I'm finally able to get in some solid hits on Rusl. It seems like his training is actually helping me out a little! I actually can improve! I can't give up now, I'm in too deep for that. Besides, I can't make it home alive if I don't learn how to fight properly. I can't protect my friends if I can't first protect myself.

"Nice job, lad! You see? Told you I'd get you good with a sword in no time!" 

I smile and chuckle at him.

"Yes, honestly! I'm not too certain why I had so much trouble when my father tried to train me."

"Bwaha! Maybe he wasn't as good a teacher as I am!" Rusl gloats, trying to lighten the heavy mood encasing the village since the attack.

Hm, but that can't be. He spent so many years successfully training young soldiers in a town that was renowned for the number of talented swordsmen that came from it. I think it's probably just me, I'm the problem. 

"Hm, it seems you were right again, Rusl. Trainin' (Y/n) was an incredible idea!" Mayor Bo exclaims, applauding us.

"Why, thank you, Bo! It's great that you're here now, I was just about to tell (Y/n) that we were gonna go into Faron woods for more materials."

"Ah! Glad I got to you in time then. That's a great idea! However, Uli needs you right now, Rusl. She's been havin' horrible pains…"

"Is it the baby?"

"Pergie doesn't think so, not yet at least. But that's also a concern of her's. She doesn't know if it's all that normal of a pregnancy symptom."

"… Alright, understood. However, we need materials as soon as possible too. So, (Y/n), you've got Fado's map with you still, correct?"

Oh shit! I forgot about that! I check my pockets and pull it out, sighing in relief.

"Luckily, yes I do."

"Perfect. Now, I'm afraid you'll have to be the one to go into the forest and retrieve the materials we need. These are the areas you'll have to go to get them. Normally I wouldn't let you go alone, but everyone's role is crucial right now. I apologize. Most likely, there are monsters in those woods, so you need to stay vigilant. Understand?"

He points to some places on the map and looks at me expectantly.

"Yes, I understand. I can do that."

"If you take Oreo with you, you'll be less likely to get lost. Horses usually remember their pathing."

"Got it. I'll get Oreo right away."

He nods, hands me the key to the gates and rushes to check on Uli. I hope she gets better soon, pregnancy is never an easy time. My mother had a lot of complications when she was pregnant with Kem. 

Making sure to lock and secure the gate to the forest, I hop on Oreo and gallop into the forest, off to find the necessary materials on my own. I gulp, but I can't be doubting myself now.

"Alright Oreo, first I need a lantern. Apparently there's a shopkeeper who sells them near the entrance, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. Then I need firewood, stones, and medicine… from a talking bird? Alright, well I certainly won't be judging Rusl's sanity anymore, ha, ha…"

Woah! What?! Hold on! Did the sky just darken and change color?! Why are so many weird things happening all of a sudden?!

"Woah! G-get away!" 

Is that the shopkeeper? It must be! A disgusting purple-ish creature is trying to hit him with a club of sorts. 

"HEY! Leave him alone!"

I rush the monster with Oreo, he kicks the monster down and away. 

"Hurry! Hop on before it gets back up!"

He nods and I take his hand to help him onto Oreo.

"Over that way! That's where my shack is, guy!" 

He directs me on where to steer Oreo. We manage to safely make it to his shack and secure the door shut so no monsters can get in. We both sigh simultaneously.

"That was too close! Thanks for helping me out, guy! What's your name? I'm Coro."

"Of course! I'm glad I was able to help you. My name is (Y/n). It's lovely to meet you, Coro. I was actually looking for you, so I can get a lantern to look for some supplies-"

I flinch, a loud thud startling us both. 

"AAHHH!!! What was that?!" He yells, getting closer to me.

"I don't know… AHH!! WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?!"

I point towards some massive bug things, both emitting a golden glow, that popped out of the floorboards, Coro also screams upon seeing them.

"Why are so many weird things happening? I just want to live a normal life!"

"Same guy! Same!"

We huddle together, holding onto each other tightly. Suddenly, the giant bugs twitch and explode. What the hell is going on?! I need some goddamn answers! 

"Well… I guess they're dead now. I'll go check outside to see if it's safe to leave."

"Alright guy, you're the one with the sword. I'll wait here."

I laugh awkwardly.

"I'm not really all that good with it yet though, ha, ha… "

I check to ensure that there are no more monsters around. I could've sworn there were more monsters around… It's extremely odd… I think the forest changed color again too, maybe? Well, regardless, it seems pretty safe to leave now.

"It appears the coast is clear. You can rest easy knowing that no monsters will hurt you for a while, especially if you stay inside this shack, but that's ultimately your choice."

I smile at him and he smiles back at me. Hm, he has some sticks on top of his afro.

"Hey, are you aware you have some sticks in your hair?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah! Birds seem to like resting on my head. They even made a nest and started a family, see?"

He slightly bends forward to show me the eggs in the nest, being careful to not make them fall. That's incredibly adorable! I like this guy!

"Oh right! You said you needed a lantern right gu- uh, I mean, (Y/n)?"

"Oh! Yes! Yes I do!"

He corrected himself from saying 'guy'. Maybe I earned his respect somehow? Or perhaps he's just trying to show me his gratitude in his own way. I can't help but grin. 

"Here you go then! Good luck and be careful. The monsters can be tricky to fight off, trust me… I know. Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that you need a key to get through that gate there, the one that leads into the temple. I had the key, but I gave it to this blond guy that came by earlier in the day, but he did come back with a brown haired child and they both went to the village. Sorry, (Y/n)."

A brown haired child? Talo? I don't know who else it could've been. Did something happen to him? Eh, I'll just ask later.

"Of course! Thank you for your help and your concern. I will definitely be as vigilant as possible. And that won't be an issue, I have a key for it too, so no worries. That also sounds like it was Link and Talo, I wonder if they're okay as of now."

He shrugs and hands me a lantern. I'm finally off on my initial mission: gather materials that the Ordon residents need to defend and heal themselves and their land. Next stop, a temple for some sturdy stones. The wind rushes past me as Oreo gallops toward the temple in the forest.