the legend of zelda Age of Calamity

chapter 13 Silent Tears

 The castle was quiet that evening, its halls bathed in the soft orange glow of the setting sun. Link sat alone in his room, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. His hood was down, revealing his face fully in the dim light. Though he usually wore it to shield himself from others, today, he simply didn't feel the need. The date had not escaped him. Four years. It had been four years since his mother had passed. Her absence left a void that time hadn't managed to fill. He remembered her warmth, her gentle touch, and the way her laughter used to fill their home. It was a warmth he hadn't felt in so long. His gaze drifted to the window, the streaks of twilight fading into night. Slowly, silently, tears began to fall. He made no sound—no sobs, no gasps for breath—only the quiet stream of grief rolling down his cheeks. His hands rested loosely on his knees, his posture still, his face stoic as ever, but the tears betrayed the storm within. For a long time, he sat there, lost in his memories. The soft rustle of the curtains was the only sound in the room, the quiet evening a stark contrast to the emotions churning inside him. Outside, Zelda passed by his door. She paused, her instincts telling her something was wrong, but she didn't enter. Something about the stillness inside his room told her that he needed this moment to himself. She lingered for a moment, her brow furrowed in worry, before continuing down the hallway. Eventually, Link wiped his face, his expression as calm as ever. The tears had stopped, though the ache in his chest remained. Rising slowly, he moved to his bed, his steps measured but heavy. He pulled the blanket over himself, his eyes closing as exhaustion overtook him. In six minutes, he was asleep, his breathing steady as the weight of the day ebbed away. Outside, the castle settled into its nighttime quiet, the world around him unaware of the silent grief he had borne alone. And yet, even as he slept, Link carried on. It was who he was—stoic, enduring, always moving forward, even when the past threatened to pull him back.