the legend of zelda Age of Calamity

chapter 12 Shadows Lifted Scars Remain

The battle had been brutal, unlike any Link had faced before. The malice that had once threatened to consume him had returned, stronger and more vicious. Its tendrils lashed at him in waves, cutting deep into his body and leaving behind searing burns. Despite the agony, Link had fought on, his stoic resolve unbroken. When the fight finally ended, and the darkness was vanquished, Link emerged victorious—but not unscathed. The malice was gone, its hold on him severed, but it had left behind a permanent mark. Deep cuts crisscrossed his body, the wounds etched with a dark, unnatural hue. His burns were raw and angry, a constant reminder of the battle he had endured. The medics worked tirelessly to tend to him once he was brought back to the castle. They had him remove his tunic, revealing the extent of the damage. Gasps of horror escaped their lips as they saw the scars—proof of a darkness that was no longer within him, but that had left its mark nonetheless. Link endured their care in silence, his expression calm despite the pain. He didn't flinch as they cleaned and bandaged his wounds, even as the sting of their work brought fresh waves of agony. He remained still, focused, his stoic nature refusing to allow any sign of weakness. Once the medics were done, they left him with words of caution. Rest, they had said. Avoid strain. But Link had simply nodded, his thoughts elsewhere. The scars didn't matter. The pain didn't matter. He had a duty to the kingdom, and he would not falter. Later that night, Link sat alone in his room. The glow of the moonlight filtered through the window, casting a faint silver sheen across the walls. His hood was drawn low over his face, his Champion's Tunic draped over him, as if shielding him from the world. Yet the pain remained—a deep, unrelenting ache that refused to let him forget the darkness he had fought. He pressed a hand to his chest, where the worst of the malice burns still throbbed. A low, involuntary moan escaped him, the only sound he had made since the battle. His breaths came in shallow, uneven bursts, and he leaned back against the wall, trying to push through the pain. The door creaked open. Zelda stepped inside, her face pale with worry. She had been told Link was recovering, but the medics' descriptions of his injuries had left her unsettled. Now, seeing him hunched in the corner, cloaked in pain, her concern only deepened. "Link," she said softly, stepping closer. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her uncertainty. "You... you're hurt. I can see that." Link didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor. His stoic silence held firm, though it did little to mask the tension in his frame. Zelda hesitated, her hands clenching at her sides. "Why do you keep pushing yourself like this? You've done enough—you've already..." She trailed off, her voice catching. Still, Link said nothing. She sighed, stepping closer until she stood just a few feet away. "I know you won't stop. I know you feel it's your duty to bear everything alone. But..." Her voice softened. "You don't have to." Link finally looked up at her, his expression calm but unreadable. He didn't speak—he never did—but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. Perhaps gratitude. Perhaps acknowledgment. Zelda took a deep breath. "At least rest. Please. Just... take care of yourself. That's all I'm asking." Link lowered his gaze again, but after a moment, he gave a faint nod. Satisfied, Zelda turned to leave. She paused at the door, glancing back at him one last time. The sight of him, cloaked in his tunic and hood, scarred but unbroken, stayed with her as she stepped into the hallway. The malice was gone, but its marks would remain forever. Link bore them in silence, as he bore everything else, but Zelda couldn't shake the feeling that he carried more than just physical scars. Even so, she knew he would endure. He always did. And though she wasn't sure how to help him yet, she silently resolved to try.