The Legend of Zelda: A Cycle Unbroken

The Sword That Seals The Darkness

Link couldn't sleep that night. He knew he would be mocked and trash talked tomorrow, but that didn't bother him. He had been through that many times, and it barely affected him any more. What was bothering him was the discrimination of the king. He had seen the insanity in his eyes, the looking down on a commoner, but he didn't understand. He was the best swordsman in a century. What could possibly cause someone to be so hateful?

A sound broke Link's trail of thoughts. "Hey, you. Your Link, right?" Link looked for the voice.

"Yeah, I am. What do you want?" Link heard the door creak, and a beautiful girl walked in. She wasn't wearing anything in particular, other than some nightclothes, but she was the only thing his mind could see.

"I saw what my father did earlier today. Can you believe he made that law a day before the ceremony, because he heard that you were a commoner! He is awful." Link paused.

"Your father? Don't you mean your master, the king? Or... ARE YOU THE PRINCESS? YOU'RE A NOBLE? WHY WOULD YOU COME SEE A COMMONER LIKE ME!" Link was hyperventilating. This was crazy. The princess was in his room, in the castle. This was not normal.

"Are you crazy! Be quiet! Are you trying to wake everyone up! Yes, I'm a noble, but I'm not a jerk like my dad. I had to see you, because a little known fact is that the hero has always been a commoner. My insane father seems to think he can change the cycle to be only for nobles. Now, come with me. I will take you to the sword. He hasn't told the public yet, but no one who tried today to draw the sword could do it." She spoke in a commanding tone. "Come on!"

Link quickly got out of bed. Mary couldn't order him around, but the princess? He had no choice but to comply. "Yes princess!"

The princess stared at him. "Call me Zelda. I will not reply if you say princess." She started down the stairs.

Link was dumbfounded. The princess wanted him to call her Zelda? She was practically saying that they were equals. He quickly followed her down the stairs. "Prin- Zelda. Do you really think that I can pull the sword?"

"I don't know, but I think that you deserve a chance, Link." She gave him a look that made his heart beat like thunder. "I think you are true of heart. I have been watching you for a while." She grinned at him, a look that reminded him of Groose. This girl was amazing. She was fun!

"Zelda, thanks. You can't possibly understand how much this means to me." Link said, with another dumbfounded look that quickly changed to a smile. "You are amazing." He realized that he was practically repeating his thoughts now, but he didn't care. Something about Zelda, made him feel absolutely free. He had never felt so happy in his entire life, since before his orphaning. He was free from that now.

Zelda looked at him, slightly embarrassed. "Thank you Link!" She also had a sort of questioning look on her face. Being complimented for real was clearly not normal for her. Nonetheless, she led on. They were almost to the chamber now, and they needed to be quiet. They walked in silence for a little ways, and then slipped into the chamber. "Sometimes I just sit in here and look at the blade," she said. "It radiates a hue of confidence, and makes me feel like I can do anything."

Link gave her a look, grinning. "Isn't that kind of like taking drugs?" He looked at her, holding in a laugh.

Zelda looked at Link with a look of annoyance, but seeing his smile laughed. "Oh, shut up and try the sword already." Link burst out laughing, almost reduced to tears. He walked up to the pedestal, and put his hands on the blade. It seemed to glow, to call him.

"Are you sure that this will work?" He said, looking at Zelda once more. He couldn't get enough of her beauty.

"Yes. Now stop talking." She said, a determined look on her face. Link breathed deeply, and then pulled. The sword didn't budge. He pulled harder, knowing that this was his only chance, and he had to give it his all. The sword slipped slightly. Zelda gasped as Link grunted, and finally pulled the sword out.

"That was easy." He joked, but was hit by a wave of drowsiness. Zelda rushed to him as he wobbled.

"Link, are you ok?!?" Zelda cried out. Link tried to answer, but couldn't. Suddenly there were two Zeldas. He forced his eyes to stay open, but the effort made them close. He was losing his consciousness...

                                                                                         ✶✶✶ 

Link awoke in bright room. "Where am I?" There were five men and two children in the room, all wearing green clothes. Just like him. Weird. One of the children spoke. One word.

"Hero." The man waited a moment, and then spoke again. "We are the embodiments of the Hero's spirit, parts of his soul. I am the most well known of them. I am the Hero of Time, splitter of destinies. That one over there is the Hero of Shadows, who appeared 100 years ago. The one before him is the Hero of Twilight, from 400 years ago. I myself have existed 800 years. There is also the Hero of the Four Sword, who was born long before I, around 2000 years ago, and his predecessor, the Hero of the Minish, was born 2100 year ago."

Link was confused. "What about him?" Link pointed at the man behind the Hero of Time.

"I am someone whose memories you share in dreams. I am the Hero of The Sky. A better question is, who are you?" He pointed at Link. "What is your title, Hero?"

"I don't know?" Link said, even more confused. How was he supposed to know that?

"Search your mind. You have the answer." The Hero of the Sky gave a grin. Link closed his eyes. Searching. Looking for anything that might be a clue. While he searched, The Hero of the Sky walked closer. "Let us help you." He pressed his hand to Link's forehead, and the memories flooded in.

✶✶✶

Link flew on a crimson bird, a bright vibrant red, and laughed as he dived and flipped and corkscrewed. He grinned as usual. Then he saw a giant monster in the sky. His grin faded to nothing as he dived towards it. His sword slashed and cut, killing the monster. He faded into silence. Link knew his name. He was the Hero of the Sky.

Link ran up the mountain slope, howling at the moon. He saw a Twili, and jumped, killing it instantly. His claws slashed at it, making is howl with pain. He ran even faster as he saw more of them, chasing him down the mountainside. He howled with pain as he rolled into the forest. As he looked at the pond in front of him, a wolf stared back. Link knew his name. He was the Hero of Twilight.

Link looked at the giant acorn. He knew it wouldn't be easy to climb, but he had to make it. As he reached the top, Ezlo, the hat, spoke to him. He knew that he had to save the Minish. He was suddenly hit by a gust of wind. As he hit the ground, out of breath, the wind mage, Vaati, stared down at him, red eyes flashing. Link knew his name. He was the Hero of The Minish.

Link pulled out the sword. Suddenly three men were in front of him. Oddly enough, they all looked exactly like him, except for the color of their shirts. As the looked up at him, a loud "HEY!" was shouted be each and every one of them. Link knew his name. He was the Hero of the Four Sword.

Link pulled the sword. Again, as he had been shown in memories of the one like him, he split into four once more. Vaati, the wind mage, now more monster than Hylian, looked down at them with its single eye, fury growing. Link knew his name. He was the Hero of Shadows.

Link played the ocarina given to him by Saria. A girl walked by. It was Zelda. She was amazing in every way, knowing exactly what to do. Hyrule seemed dim in comparison. She walked off. Link continued to play the song. Then a man walked by. A Gerudo. The king's advisor, Ganondorf. He had an evil look in his face as he stalked towards Zelda. Link unsheathed his sword. Link knew his name. He was the Hero of Time.

Link sat with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes. The man in front of him had an evil grin. He had a long nose. He laughed a wicked laugh. He was the Gerudo's King. His hand had a triangle glowing on it. Link blinked. The man was gone. Link now knew his name. He was the sun that wouldn't leave during the darkness of night. He was the Hero of Light.