Legend of Zelda: Dark Echoes

Legend of Zelda: Dark Echoes-Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Franz slammed the newspaper down in disgust, and then buried his eyes with his hands afterwards. Link, who was sitting on the over side of the table, had never seen him like this before. He was unsure if his friend was acting like this because of the death of one of his brothers which occurred the other day, or of what he had just read in the paper. He was presuming both. Link carefully leaned over and pulled the now crumbled newspaper towards him. The headline read, in big bold letters: Serial Killer Strikes Again!

This was expected. For these past five days, all that has been happening is this killer murdering people…including Franz’s brother. Link couldn’t help but feel sorry for Franz as he was even working near the spot that his sibling was killed at the time. Franz kept blaming himself for his brother’s death, saying that he could’ve done something even when he clearly couldn’t. Link just told him that no-one would expect such a sudden attack, especially when this was the first time the killer struck. Visibly, he had no reason to blame himself on this subject. However, Franz would just yell in return, telling Link that he was wrong.

This was the reason why Link was sitting here now, not so sure what to say or do to reassure his mate. Would it be best to let Franz calm himself? He gazed over to the other side of the table, where his third friend sat next to Franz. His name was Aleg. Judging by his ginger hair, freckles, shy personality and wispiness, you would never expect him to hang out with people such as Link and Franz. He too was looking back at Link with an unsure expression.

“Knights are so stupid these days…,” Franz spoke softly, after sipping some water. They were in Telma’s bar, but for some reason he chose to pick this drink other than juice or even some whisky. “It has been five days, FIVE DAYS, and yet they haven’t even discovered any suspects for these killings. Very pathetic if I may say so myself.”

“But, Franz… you’re a knight too and so is Link.” said Aleg.

“I know,” Franz said, nearly a growl. “But my job is to not suspect killings and neither is Link’s. My next shift is tonight at eight, and the killer has always attacked at hours of darkness so far. Maybe I will identify him.” He chuckled, though there was a suspicion of doubt in it.

Link didn’t know how to react so he quickly took his mug and swallowed his drink. He hated working at this current time as much as Franz did as there was a killer about. It wasn’t because he was scared; oh no, he was a very courageous person. Instead, it was because in the land of Hyrule there were barely any violence or crimes and now he had to work extra carefully with the weight of big responsibility on his shoulders. It was a horrible feeling knowing there’s a killer on the loose and people are counting on you to stop it.

Silence filled the bar; even people who Link did not know where silent and spoke with only murmurs or whispers. The atmosphere was not comfortable which made Link wonder how he remained in the inn for this long. He settled his mug on the table and stood up.

“I should go home now and get ready for work,” he said. “It’s quite late and I just noticed the time.” Franz nodded.

“I should do that too.” He arose, turned to Link, nodded again, and then left the bar with his sword by his side. Already he was wearing his armour for his job as he liked arriving at work early for whatever reason. Maybe it was because he wanted to protect the people as soon as possible or simply he loved his job. Either way, Link never found out. He assumed both; Franz always took pride in his job and loved to show it. You’d normally see him strutting through town with his silver body armour shining.

Link then faced Aleg and gave him a smile to say goodbye, instead of waving, and left him be. Aleg didn’t have a job – in fact Link could see why. He was pretty -how to put it in a polite way - unintelligent and rather fragile. Of course, Link meant no offence whatsoever. Link was a polite man and Aleg was his friend; a friend that he had known for a while now.

Outside was raining heavily, the raindrops splashed hard against the forming puddles and the sky was grey. Perhaps there was a storm coming, Link thought. Even so, a storm would definitely not get him out of his job. He pulled a creamy coloured Ocarina out his pockets from his casual outfit then blew in it softly. A soft but also high tune spread around the area. It was very pleasant to hear.

Link pricked up his pointy elven ears, hearing out for something, as though blowing in the Ocarina would summon something in return. He listened out intently and carefully. In the distance, he could hear it; clopping of hooves. Link smiled softly to himself as the sound grew louder and louder until it eventually reached him.

Right there stood a great mare of a tanned colour with a white mane, black nose and blue eyes.

“Epona!” Link beamed, walking up to stroke his horse’s fur. Epona, the horse, snorted in in reply as though she could actually understand what Link was saying. Consequently, Link then mounted onto his beloved horse and started to trot onwards to his home in his quiet and small village.

It was an enjoying ride – if you could get rid of the rain. In the distance, Link could make out the sound of thunder through the muffle of the raindrops. He knew right away, that this was going to be a pretty bad shift for his work.

Once arrived, the village was silent. No children were in sight but then again, they probably didn’t want to be soaked as much as Link did. He descended Epona and tied her reins to a tree which grew beside Link’s house. He gave her a pat on the head then started to climb up the ladder leading to his house’s patio. It was a pain for visitors to have to climb up it for any business whatsoever but Link didn’t see the big deal. He was the one who chose the house after all, and refused to buy another.

It was a small home; people normally mistook it for a hut - but even so, he still loved it. Vines grew alongside the stony wall and even the semi-circular roof was half covered in it. The door was wooden, as well as the roof, and a lantern hung off a symbol on the wall beside the entrance. The symbol was very familiar to Hylians such as Link: a triangle with another triangle inside it, instead, this one would be upside down. This would be known as the Triforce, the sign of courage, power and wisdom. Link studied it for a few seconds before stroking the transparent overturned triangle in thoughts. He was interrupted by the cackle of thunder close by. He shook his head, forgot about what he was thinking and rested his hand on the steel, grey door knob, twisted it, then pulled. This action obviously opened the door. He entered the building, leaving the bitterness from outside and to be welcomed by the warmth of the fireplace.