Endless War

II

"This is my fruitcake, Link. Mine!

"But because you're my friend you can get a slice."

-Princess Zelda on her 8th birthday

Hyrule Castle - 04:40:32

Link looked back up at the sky, having read his father's diary in which he detailed the first time he killed a human being. The regret had been prominent, but it had been his duty, hadn't it? He took a moment to examine his own life for his own biggest regret. Maybe the fool mission ahead of him would be his own biggest regret.

One of the first things he could remember: a triangle. Odd, isn't it? That a 12-year-old boy would have a triangle as his first memory. And yet, there was also something else he remembered: another triangle coming into play, but this time from another child.

You see, the late Queen and the wife of the Royal General had given birth only two days between each other. There were rumors that the King and his General had gotten rather drunk, and so had their wives, and thus nine months later they had two lights in their world. Of course, I have the answers of what happened that night, but why should I give you the satisfaction of knowledge?

You see, Link's memory started when his father was boasting about how his daughter was prettier than the king's, and how he had taken Link to the king and his daughter to compare. Of course, Link's father was mistaken, but they still had quite an argument over which child was cuter. And while these two trash talked each other, the two children in question placed their small chubby hands together, causing two triangles to form on their hands.

The flash of golden light was enough to stop the escalating disagreement and enough to forge an agreement that the king's daughter should meet Link on a regular, if not daily, basis. I am afraid that some people would call this arranged, but their friendship was so strong, so pure, that I am inclined to disagree.

Despite the rank difference between them, the two young children did not let that separate them. They were rather oblivious to it all, and the joy they shared was so strong that the King forbade any ill talk of them together. However, one day this came to an end when the people's beloved Queen fell ill and passed away. Zelda was inconsolable; it was hard to get back to normal when your mother passes away. Yet at the same time, she had her best friend, and she had her little toy robot, Terrako, which she had built a few years prior. Having these two were enough to keep her happy at times. But not long after the Queen's death, an old prophet, Astor, claimed that the Calamity was finally returning to Hyrule, and it was the duty of the princess to rise and meet this challenge.

Now, the King was a wise man, but this is decidedly one of his biggest mistakes. After all, who trusts an old man with bone-white skin who smells like goat and has a penchant for the extremely dirty when it comes to women? There was an outcry when he issued a proclamation announcing his plans to stop the Calamity based on plans from this man. In hindsight, it was probably his greatest achievement. 

With his general executing Royal Order 42069, the army began excavating the four regions of the kingdom, searching for the fabled Divine Beasts and their minions, the Guardians. At the same time, the princess was ordered to double down on her training to awaken her inner power. Alas, her efforts were fruitless, and she was (quietly) despised throughout the kingdom. It was a joke throughout the seedier parts of town: the beautiful Princess Zelda, focusing only on her ancient toys instead of her ultimate sealing power. There were even caricatures of her portraying her as a buffoon who chose to act like a spoiled noble focused on her enjoyment. Even her own father was disappointed in her, though he tried to hide his disgust. And through it all, for six years, she had only one friend: Link.

While Zelda was struggling to unlock the golden power, Link was also under increased pressure. An old man (not the goat man) had foreseen that Link was the reincarnation of Her Grace's chosen warrior, and would need to pull the Master Sword from its resting place. However, possession of the sword alone would not suffice: he would need the skill and power to wield it as well. And so, under the tutelage of his father and the ancient swordsman known only as the "Hero's Shade," he began training intense enough to make the most experienced veterans faint like one of the damsels at the balls. By sheer will, he didn't crack, and by the age of 10, the Hero's Shade demanded that he fight the most experienced swordsmen in the kingdom. And not just those who wielded swords, but also those with spears, hammers, bows, and axes.

The General and the Shade both accepted that this was the only way to test Link's worth. The rich nobles all sneered at this. How could a mere child who hadn't even reached adolescence best the fearsome Sun Tzu himself in combat? The King also did not approve of this: he didn't want his daughter's only friend to be struck down in a training accident. Of all these characters, only Zelda did not object, for she had faith in her friend.

When the fateful day arrived, Link was outfitted in a special armor that would deflect all blows at the cost of his rupees, acquired by cutting grass and breaking pots. This final test was held away from the public, with only Link, the contestants, his father, the Shade, and the princess watching over the trial. Here it was the moment of truth, which Link had trained four years for.

And he did not disappoint.

With incredible speed and grace, he was able to land blows strong enough to shatter swords and fracture steel armor plates crafted by the finest armor smiths. Sun Tzu himself, being a monk and thus not a warrior, was very nearly killed by being dressed only in robes as he bragged, "I need no protection from anybody." The contestants who had to go last were almost afraid to face this mere child in combat! I simply cannot find the words to describe how quickly this boy moved. It was as if time itself slowed down to allow him a chance to strike.

With ten of the best warriors defeated, a pile of broken weapons, and shattered helmets and breastplates, it was clear where the boy must go next.