The courage to find me

Chapter 20: At least the dinner will turn out remarkable

POV Zelda

"Don't worry, I have a plan," I say confidently, as I take the sword back to protect it until the battle. I instruct him to gather the armies and return as quickly as possible. To provoke me, he makes a bow and then leaves. I feel worried as I watch him head into battle, but we have no other choice. I say a silent prayer, blessing him—which will slightly increase his resilience.

Now, I have another issue to deal with. I look to the left, where a living energy emanates, and raise my voice.

"You, hiding behind the column. Show yourself now," I command firmly.

After a few seconds, I notice a flickering glow appearing from behind the column. With a gesture, I break the enchantment; at that point, a young man dressed in strange blue clothes appears.

"Approach," I order.

There is panic in his eyes, but he walks towards me without hesitation—with his hands raised to show he is unarmed. I find the gesture endearing, considering I could destroy him with a snap of my fingers, this little Hylian. So much courage in such a diminutive body... like a miniature hero.

"I sensed your presence as soon as you appeared here. But I saw that your heart is pure and there is no ill intent in your curious observation. I didn't want him to see you... so I waited until he left before we spoke," I say, unable to avoid the tenderness in my voice when I talk about him.

I approach the young man, finding the sensation of familiarity strange. Part of the soul inside him vibrates with pure courage and determination.

"I know you. Your energy seems..."

But I stop myself. It must be a huge coincidence, I think, even though I know coincidences don't exist.

While incarnate, each soul has a unique characteristic. After death, when they merge again with the fabric of the universe, they lose their individuality and blend back into the primordial elements. Then they become a new soul and incarnate in a new body, as a completely different person.

And yet, part of this young man's soul reminds me... I shake my head, dismissing the thought.

"It's not possible. Tell me, soldier. Where did you come from? What are you looking for here?"

He remains silent for a few seconds. I make a gesture encouraging him to continue.

"I... I'm from a very distant time. I came from the future," he says hesitantly.

The future? From his clothes, I would suppose something like that. For most of my existence, I don't experience time. Past, present, and future merge into one thing, like a separate dimension from which I do not belong. However, even though, in theory, I should be able to know all the Eras to come... something about this battle prevents me from seeing beyond. Even when I am in the Sacred Realm, I can't access what will happen from today. This has been increasingly worrying me.

"Curious... When I am not materialized, I sit at the edge of Time. And yet, I can't recognize your origin. I wonder how it could be..."

He just stares at me, not providing any more information.

"Returning to my question. What are you looking for here?"

The young man seems uncertain as he speaks.

"Answers? I don't know. I was instructed to come here to learn about what had happened in the past..." he begins, but is interrupted by crashes outside.