The Legend of Zelda: Oneshot Compendium

Sacrifice

A/N: not a pairing, but it was a request I got on tumblr that I reaaaaaally liked the end result of and I just wanted to post it here as well
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It was unbelievable, unexpected, impossible to comprehend. There they stood before her, the Champions. All Zelda could do was stare with wide green eyes, her mouth agape as she tried to take in the many emotions that came when they rushed through the castle doors. The champions themselves had rushed towards the castle to see if the Princess was alive, if it was all over. None of them had any explanation to offer for their reappearance a hundred years later. They hardly knew how or why they were alive in the first place. In her stupor, Zelda hadn't said a word. But what would she possibly have to say in a situation like this? Instead she opted to rush towards the group, enveloping as many of them into a tight hug as she could before Daruk aided in her endeavor. After the initial wave of emotion had gone, Mipha had taken notice to something. "Princess, if I may ask.. Where is Link?" It wasn't until Mipha asked that they started to notice his lack of presence. "I'm not sure actually.." Zelda spoke truthfully, "He told me he had something to take care of, but that was almost a week ago.. I think he said something about needing to talk to Impa." There was something that wasnt quite right. If Link had something to take care of, it usually took only three days at most. So then why had he not yet returned? Looks were exchanged across the room before it was wordlessly decided that their next stop was Kakariko Village. If only they knew what Impa was about to tell them...

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The journey there didn't take too terribly long, of course that isnt to say that there werent some roadblocks along the way. Travelers who couldnt believe their eyes, hoards of monsters along the way, corrupted guardians bringing back unforgiving memories, and of course we cant forget the dogs at the stables in which Daruk refused to go near. But nevertheless they made it there, immediately making their way to Impa while ignoring to stares of the local villagers. As Impa looked at the group before her, her gaze didnt hold the shock Zelda was expecting. "So... he actually did it." Zelda was confused by Impa's words. Was she talking about Link? Did she know where he was? Of course, Zelda had asked these questions and many more, barely leaving Impa any time to respond. When Zelda was finally finished, Impa gave a heavy sigh, her eyes downcast, not wanting to be the one to tell his story. "My dear Princess.. I'm afraid that Link won't be coming back.."

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After Link had defeated the calamity, the surge of guilt finally caught up to him. Here he was, living out the rest of his life without any purpose while the champions still had responsibilities they should have had the chance to take care of. Link made up his mind relatively fast, he was going to speak to Impa and make sure he made the right choice. With that, he told Zelda where he needed to go, and said goodbye to her for quite possibly the last time, that is if he can accomplish the impossible.

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When he approached Impa, she could sense the distress he was feeling, but waited patiently for him to find his voice so that he could tell her what was wrong. And then it all came spilling out: the guilt, the pain, the sorrow, and most shockingly, what he intended to do. "He said I could take their place.. but I'd be trapped there for four hundred years enduring their fate before I could move on.. I know it might sound crazy that I'd even consider it but, it feels like the right thing to do.." Impa was now shocked, whether it be by the fact that there was a way to bring the champions back, or by the fact that Link was considering giving his life like this. To return to his divine beast and endure four hundred years of suffering and torment, all so the others could have their lives back. It was selfless, but also foolish. What would Hyrule do if they needed him again? What would Zelda say? What would the others say? Impa thought to talk him out of it, but the look in his eyes told her that he had already made his decision..

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Zelda didnt believe her, she didnt want to believe her. But the graveness in her voice, the sadness in her eyes.. it was too real for this to be a cruel joke. She had to see it for herself, she wasnt going to accept anything until she saw it with her own eyes. And just like that, the group was on their way to the Great Plateau.

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Once there, the small glimmer of hope Zelda held was shattered by what she saw. Link's divine beast was most certainly there, but it didn't look right. The four champions nearly shuttered as they recognized the look of it. Deep red eyes, malice clinging to its exterior, even the sound of it, none of them could stand to hear it. Not again. Not after what theyve been through. Unlike their own beasts, Link's lay dormant, its intentions were different. It wasnt here to aid the calamity, no. This one was here to act as a prison.

A prison that held the spirit of a hero deep in its malice infested interior.

A spirit that would only know fear, sorrow, and pain for the next four hundred years.

The spirit of Link, the last hero of Hyrule..