The courage to find me - The fate of us: Part I

Chapter 15: Heroes also need therapy

POV Link

I feel like I'm being crushed against the ground and the walls, but there's no ground or walls. I'm hurled into a void, and fierce winds tear through me while I drown in a raging sea. The sensation lasts an eternity and yet ends in an instant. Somehow, it's a million times worse than the experience of using teleportation between the Sheikah towers.

Vaguely, the world materializes around me. In the next second, I feel solid again and collapse to my knees on the ground with a thud. Overcome with nausea, the first thing I do is vomit right where I landed. I shake my head and slap my own face trying to become more conscious. I look around, scared, and realize it worked. Well, at least I'm not at one of Hyrule Castle's gatehouses anymore. If I'm in the right place—and time—it's another point.

I'm crouching next to a small wooden house. It's raining heavily, and the wind drenches me in seconds. I take advantage of all this water to rinse my mouth.

"Damn, the floor is getting wet; I forgot the window open," a male voice complains from inside the house. For some reason, despite never having heard this voice before, I feel I should know it.

Realizing I'm right beside the mentioned window, I hold my breath, hoping he doesn't look down. The Hero of Time was quite explicit about not being seen by anyone during this journey.

"You're going to these places just to recover lost knowledge. We have a chance to solve that ancient problem. If you alter the course of history—creating yet another damn branch in the timeline—we might lose this opportunity."

Before I could ask anything, he continued:

"I spent thousands of years with this Ocarina. I had plenty of time to learn how the songs are created and how they work," he concluded, then taught me a second melody. "I call this one the Ode to the Hidden. Play it as soon as you arrive at your destination, and you'll become invisible for a few hours."

I put my hand in my pocket and, with relief, confirm that the Ocarina is still with me. But I can't play it yet, or this stranger would hear me. I wait, tense, as he approaches.

"Hylia must be back and trying to drown the demons again," he ponders quietly, talking to himself. "I need to return soon; she probably needs help."

His words increase my confusion, but I don't have time to think about them now; tense, I see him lean on the window ledge for a few moments, watching the storm. He seems focused on some distant point on the horizon and doesn't turn towards me. I, on the other hand, take advantage of his distraction and give in to the curiosity to observe him.

Again, I'm struck by the strange sense of familiarity. I'm sure I've never seen this man before... yet I'm absolutely certain I know him. I wonder if he might be a Link too. But I'm not sure. He's older than the others I've met, appearing to be over 30. His hair is a darker shade of blond and long, as if he doesn't bother to cut it. I notice he has a stubbled beard and a firm, angular face. It's almost as if he were a more... intense version of all of us.

The rain begins to let up a bit, and the wind stops.

"Hm, I think I can still make it there today," he says, straightening up. I watch as he ties his hair into a messy bun and walks away, once again forgetting the window open.

I wait until his footsteps can't be heard. I play the Ode to the Hidden, hoping he doesn't hear me, and am fascinated to see my arms vanish before my eyes. Everything I was wearing or holding also becomes invisible. It will be a bit difficult to move without being able to see myself, and I'll have to rely on touch to recognize my tools.

I stand up and look inside the house through the window. It's not a very large room and seems to be a living and dining room. I hoist myself through the opening and enter silently, moving slowly. I walk over to the table and see a large notebook open on it. Curious, I lean in to read what's written. I have to get very close because the handwriting is very small. I see the entry must have started on a previous page, but I don't want to touch anything, so I start reading from the middle.