Hylian Folklore: A Retelling of the Twilight Princess

The Hero

Link awoke to see Impa wiping his forehead with a wet rag. They must have been under some kind of bridge or something, because he could hear the echoing of rushing water. He could hardly focus enough to make out the shape of a stone arch and the oddly yellow sky, he also noticed an overwhelming metallic smell of blood. He glanced at Impa, to see her side all bandaged up. But it was obviously not enough, because it was starting to bleed though. What happened? Where am I? he wondered. Slowly, as his vision cleared, so did his memories of the events that had just taken place. Remembering that Hylia was in danger, he tried to sit up. Something did not feel right.

"Easy Link. Don't move just yet," Impa said pushing him back down, "Just relax. You are not going to be any help to Zelda in this condition."

Zelda. Hylia was the lost Princess, Zelda. This was all so strange. And his dreams. He shivered remembering her skin turning pale and those black veins spreading across her skin. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt Impa press the wet rag to his forehead once more. He looked up at her and he could see that she was troubled.

"I failed her," Impa sighed, "I was supposed to protect her and help her take back the kingdom, but I failed," she looked down at the ground as she dipped the rag back in the clean water, "I even let you down."

Link gave her a questioning gaze.

"I was weary of you since the day I first saw you as a little boy. I sensed something about you and I told Hylia to be careful around you. I never thought you would be the one. I tried to save you before Zant struck you with his dark magic, but I was not fast enough. I think he meant to kill you, but the Triforce you yield saved you some how."

Link was confused now. What was this Triforce she thought he had. She must have sensed his confusion because she was answering his question before he could ask.

"The light that came from your hand and Hyli..." she paused to correct herself, "Zelda's hand. It left a symbol. It's the mark of the ones who yield the Triforce. Zelda has the Triforce of Wisdom and Ganondorf has the Triforce of Power. You carry the Triforce of Courage."

Link started to raise his arm to look at the symbol but Impa took hold of his had before he could see it.

"Wait. Before you look, I need to warn you. Remember how I said Zant's magic struck you before I could reach you?" she asked.

Link nodded.

"Well..." She looked like she was trying to break the news gently, "It's... changed you Link."

She let go of his hand and looked away. Link Sat up right, noticing again that something did not feel right. He lifted his left arm to look at the symbol on his hand, but instead of a hand, he was looking at a paw. The symbol, however, still remained. He looked over his shoulder to see his body was covered in fur and he had a tail. He spun around to look at Impa. She held out the bowl of water she was using to wet his face and he took a few steps closer on shaky paws. He slowly peered over the side of the bowl to see the face of a black and white wolf. He jumped back as the horror set in. He was a wolf!

"I know you must be scared," Impa said setting down the bowl and turning her gaze back to him, "but you must remain calm."

Remain calm? How could she sit there and tell him to remain calm? He had been turned into wolf! And what about Hylia? She was placed under some kind of sleeping curse and who was going to save her? Impa was bleeding to death and he was transformed into a wolf! He hung his head in defeat, feeling a tear slide down his muzzle.

"Link, listen to me," she cupped his chin in her hand and lifted his head up to look her in the eyes, "Zelda needs your courage now more then ever. You two have determined the fate of Hyrule since its very beginning."