The Legend of Zelda: The Fate of Hyrule

Chapter One

Chapter One: Link's POV

"The hero and the princess barely made it out of the castle before it completely collapsed. They watched as the towers fell, as the explosions sent rubble flying, as the air was filled with smoke. "It's over... It's finally over..." Princess Zelda sighed. She turned to the hero, and their eyes met. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you in the battle before." He gave her a smile."

"For a moment, the two stared at the wasteland where the castle stood. They couldn't believe they had done it. But suddenly, they heard something in front of them. Zelda gasped. The hero put his arm in front of her, signaling for her to stay put. He then walked towards the source of the noise."

"Huge pieces of stone still remained, wedged into the ground. The sky was a deep shade of purple, and huge, black clouds blocked out the sun. But the hero was not afraid. He kept his head high as he came to to the largest stone in the center."

"The Earth trembled. The sky grew darker. The hero knew it was coming. He drew out his sword and held his shield in front of him. The stone split down the middle, and was thrown into the air. From under it came none other than Ganondorf, breathing angrily. He flew above the hero and showed him his hand, the top piece of the Triforce glowing. He roared at the top of his lungs, and was engulfed in blue flames. The hero and the princess watched in horror as Ganondorf transformed. His whole body grew, until he towered high above the hero. He grew long, sharp horns, and nasty fangs. When the transformation was finished, the blue flames vanished, and the beast looked the hero straight in the eye. Anyone else would've completely froze with terror, but he was courageous. The hero stared straight back. The beast had the same eyes as Ganondorf. The same yellow, glowing eyes..."

Dad opens the door. "Come on, Link. It's after midnight." He gently closes the book, and plops it down on my bedside table. I glance at the cover. At the top, "The Legend of the Hero of Time" is inscribed in gold. Below it is a painting of the triforce. The other chapters had spoken of the Triforce. I learned about the Triforce of Courage being split into eight pieces because of Zelda sending Link back in time. The eight parts were hidden throughout the kingdom. I used to dig holes in our backyard, determined I would find one of those pieces.

"Just a few more minutes?" I complain. He starts to blow out my candle, but I grab his arm. "I need to finish the chapter."

He shakes off my grasp and snuffs the flame in between his fingers. "Go to bed, Link." he yawns, and shuts the door behind him. After his footsteps fade away, I promptly retrieve a box of matches from the dresser, relight the candle, and bury myself beneath the covers. The candlelight is just enough to make out the final pages.

"The hero prevailed, and the seven sages sealed Ganondorf inside the Evil Realm. Hyrule was in peace. However, Ganondorf still held the Triforce of Power. He vowed to break the seal and and take revenge on the hero and Zelda's descendants."

That's the end. I turn the final page, careful not to make too much noise. On the final page is a portrait of the Hero of Time. He wears a straight face, his lips pursed. His big, blue eyes stare right at me.

There is something off about the portrait. Although most of the pictures of the hero never depict him smiling, you can tell he looks miserable in this one. Maybe it's the longing in his eyes, or how he furrows his eyebrows.

I slowly close the book and put in on my bedside table. After blowing out the candle, I pull the blanket up to my shoulders and roll onto my side.

But I can't sleep.

Thoughts of the portrait race through my mind. Why did he look so sad? Did something happen after he completed his journey? Or maybe it was the journey itself? I am determined to find out. I'll ask Leuric tomorrow.