The Legend of Zelda: Transient (third book in the Timeless series)

Chapter 12

"Daddy!" Link heard from behind him. He spun around, and there was his son, clinging to his mother's hand. Zelda's eyes searched his own, as if not quite believing he was there. It shocked him once again just how beautiful she was. Link beamed, walking towards them,

"Daddy?" Erick asked, face wet. Link crouched down in front of him, reaching to wipe away his tears,

"I'm here." Erick backed up slightly from his hand, and Link looked at him, a bit surprised and confused,

"Why didn't you come home? You promised you would. Why didn't you?"  Erick sobbed. His eyebrows furrowed confused. Link glanced up at Zelda, but she had turned away, "It's been a year Daddy. Come home, please. I still have faith in you." Link nodded,

"I will. I promise, I won't fail you." Link said, standing. Erick's expression didn't change though. Actually, it seemed like he couldn't see him. Then, his son and wife slowly disappeared. Link only had a moment to process what just happened before he was back, but this time Link gasped.

Erick was around fourteen. He looked so much like Link, but the ends of his hair were turning to black, and one eye seemed to have darkened. The smile that had been plastered on constantly as a child had disappeared. Instead, he seemed like he was fighting an inner war. Zelda stood beside him, an arm around his shoulder,

"Hey Dad..." He said after several long moments, and his voice sounded slightly strained, "Well, it's been seven years. I guess it's about time to give up, huh?" He said with a dry chuckle. "I wish I could remember more about you, but bad memories about him have started to replace the good ones from the past." He glanced at his mother, who gripped his shoulder with a sad expression. He couldn't continue for a minute or so. "I don't know why you couldn't have just said no. You could still be with us if you had." He then looked down, a silent tear falling onto the ground below them. 

Link was speechless for a moment,

"No...Erick, I'm right here. I've come back to you. Please..." He went to touch Zelda's hand, but they didn't even flinch. Instead, they faded away into blackness. Link felt tears prick in the corners of his eyes.

Not even a minute later, he was back, though it took Link a moment to recognize him. He was an adult, and the coldness in his gaze shocked him. He pulled his hood down, exposing one bright red eye and hair shifting from honey to black. The bow Link had gave him was still gripped in his hand. 

A smaller figure stood behind him, bathed in shadow to where her features were unrecognizable. 

"Um..." Erick said hesitantly, looking down, "Hey Dad. Well, I made it. I grew up. I managed to do it, without you. We both did." He added, motioning behind him. "I don't really know what else there is to say. Mom says I should forgive you, because you really believed you would make it back. But, here's the thing. I don't know that I can. Maybe I wouldn't have turned out like this if you had been there." He said, picking up a piece of his burnt black hair. He then sighed and shrugged. "Or, maybe I would have, I don't know." He then hesitated, "Even if I can't forgive you, I still miss you. Isn't that crazy? "  He had grown quite tall, and Link noticed his gaze was directed downwards. Turning around, what he saw was what drove him over the edge. He fell to his knees, letting the tears fall,

"I'm so sorry Erick." He murmured.

Standing a few feet from him was a headstone, looking worn with age. Sketched into it was a howling wolf, and right below it were three words.

High King Link 

Then, an echo sounded out around him,

"Don't worry. You'll be proud of me when you get back, dad!" His seven year old son called out. 

~~

Link sat in front of the fire, staring at it blankly.  His eyelids felt like bricks after getting close to no sleep the past couple of days, but he didn't dare close them. 

"King Link?" 

"Hmm?" He responded dully. 

"Were you listening?" The captain asked, sounding slightly offended. Link just nodded,

"'We're approaching the borders of the first town inside this province. It is the least infected, but still dangerous, so we should take precautions.'" He recited. The captain nodded, only looking a bit surprised, and continued on. Before he could finish though, Link had stood up. "Let's get to it then. I'm tired of words and no action." He said bitterly before walking away. 

So, on his command, they set out again just as the sun was beginning to rise. Link tried to put all his focus into the mission ahead, but his mind betrayed him by continuing to wander to his family. 

That's why he hadn't noticed the disturbance in the air around them as they approached the town.

"Does something seem weird to you, your Majesty?"

"You're probably just imagining it."

That's why he had been the slightest bit distracted when they attacked.

"King Link!"

"Oh my Goddesses! He's been hit!"

Sometimes, that's all it takes to end a life.

~~

I'm sorry. Don't kill me too much XD