The courage to find me

Chapter 11: Identity theft is not a joke, Link

POV Link

The night is clear today. The full moon illuminates the island's landscape, allowing me to see the structure ahead without difficulty. Not wanting to waste more time, I decided to try entering the Dream Shrine the same day Marin told me about it. I finished my regular shift at the kiosk and headed straight north of the village, where I easily found the ruin.

Marin didn't want to come with me.

"I already discovered this thing exists, to begin with. Now you want me to go there, in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, to help push stones? And then enter an ABANDONED temple in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? No, thank you. I value my life. But have fun."

So here I am, standing in front of the boulders, deciding how to proceed. I walk around the building, which isn't very large. The stones are only in front of the door, and there are no windows.

I miss the bombs from the Sheikah Slate. They would be very useful now.

I run a hand through my hair, thinking.

"Just push the stones; it's not that hard!" a voice echoes in my head.

Startled, I look around. I try to identify if the sound came from somewhere external, even though I'm sure it didn't. It sounded like a very loud thought, and it wasn't mine. Have I been isolated for so long that... I'm losing my sanity?

"No, you're not crazy," another voice responds in my head.

I would argue that a second voice is even more evidence that I am losing my mind.

"Just do what he said. I needed a magical bracelet to get enough leverage to push them, but you've spent years training and climbing mountains. You have more than enough strength. Just go for it."

Too confused to question the voices—and my sanity—I just obey. And I see they're right. Even without training as much in recent years, I realize, happily, that I still have the same physical strength—which makes no sense. Maybe it's because I gained vitality from the Sheikah Shrines?

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and focus on the task ahead. With some effort but no major difficulties, I manage to push the larger stone blocking the main entrance. I move it just enough for me to pass through.

I see the ruin has no door—which might explain the stone blockade. Wiping the sweat from my forehead with my arm, I take a deep breath and enter the cold room.

The room is lit by a single candle that seems to burn without consuming anything. I see the wax isn't melting, but the flame remains strong.

This isn't the strangest thing I've seen in my life and probably won't be the last. I don't waste time questioning it and look around, analyzing the room. It's very small. An old, dusty bed is to my right. To its left, the bedside table with the candle. And nothing else.

I approach and see a piece of paper on the nightstand. I blow off the dust and pick it up. It has only one sentence.

To access the realm of dreams, lie on the bed and sleep.

Don't I do this every day?

Maybe the point is that it has to be this specific bed. It's dirty and without sheets, but I've slept in much worse places. Anyway, it's been a long day, so I don't think twice and accept the note's suggestion, wishing the challenges I face were always like this. I lie down on the bed and, as soon as I close my eyes, I fall asleep immediately.

- - -

"Helloooo, is anyone there?" I hear a voice say.

"Is he alive?" another one responds.