As the Days Go By | Legend of Zelda AU (ONGOING)

1. New Home

"Death XIII, despite the connotation to literal death, the Death Major Arcana of the Tarot signifies major changes in a person's life."

I was never afraid of death. I mean, why live life cowering in fear of the inevitable? It's only a matter of time for each person before their lives are forcefully wrenched away from them by nature, by their own volition, or by the will of others. I never thought about dying, but I'm not scared of it.

I was just five years old when my parents died in a car crash. I was there with them, in the backseat, staring at the rapidly changing, however monotonous urban scenery. Then...

I was in a hospital bed.

I don't remember what happened after that. You might expect the average child to wail at the idea that their dear and loving parents are suddenly gone, but I was just silent. Honestly, I'm not sure if that was it, but that's what I remember. It was the same during the funeral.

It was like my brain refused to remember what happened.

Then, I was passed around by relatives. There was nobody particularly outstanding. I was that silent, always kept to themself kind of kid. I think that's what kept me out of trouble most of the time. I never expected a reward for being a "good boy." I just expected mutual respect of privacy. Never expected anyone to be replacements for mom and dad. Never expected long lasting relationships.

What I also hadn't expected was that I'd end up living in a mansion.

After eleven years of being passed around by relatives, here I am, standing in front of a mansion. Wearing ripped jeans, a green sweater and beanie, and cheap-ass earbuds blasting music from my old iPhone, I looked extremely out of place in this part of the city.

Out of all the houses around the block, this was definitely by far the biggest, but somehow the least gaudy, and it looked so... Victorian.

This is... the place, right...?

I stood in front of the gate closing off entry to the manor. I am at the right place, right? How the heck am I supposed to—?

The iron gate shuddered before opening up the cobble driveway.

Well, that works I guess.

Without apprehension I walked forward toward the entry of the mansion that just seemed to get bigger the closer I got to it. However, I just kept my eyes forward. I couldn't care any less about the grandeur scenery. However, in the back of my head I thought may as well try to enjoy all the time I get before being passed around again.

At the front doors stood a tall silver haired woman with an air of authority coming off her. So, was she this place's owner? Could be for all I knew.

She noticed me and looked at me with a scrutinizing glare. "Link Forrestor." That's my name. "I am Impa. You will be under my care for the time being." Her voice was sharp, direct and unfaltering.

For the time being, huh? I wasn't surprised nor disappointed.

"Mr. Harkinian is currently out on a business trip and won't be returning for another week. You'd best behave yourself."

Ah, so Harkinian was the master of this place.

"Paya, please show him where he'll be residing. I have things to attend to."

From behind the doors came a similarly silver haired girl about my age. Perhaps this girl named Paya and Impa were related? Not to mention the red tattoos on their faces which I'd just noticed. Couldn't care less what that was about though.

I must've been staring for an awkward length of time because Impa harshly cleared her throat and was glaring at me. Paya was looking away uncomfortably with a red face. I muttered a quick apology and her eyes quickly flickered toward me then just as quickly away. Her blush seemed to have deepened. What was with that reaction?

Great first impression Link...

She nervously fiddled the hem of her dress. "Um, please, allow me to carry your luggage for you and I'll lead you to where you'll be staying."

"I'm fine," I said. All the luggage I had was a backpack anyway. "Just take me there already."

That definitely wasn't the right thing to say since Impa's glare only intensified.

"I—I see. Then follow me...!"

I followed her inside. I could feel Impa's glare pressing hard against me even after I passed her. The clacking of heels told me she left to do her own thing. The inside seemed much larger than the outside. We passed by the many other staff doing housework and various other chores. Some passed us a quick glance but otherwise didn't pay much mind. It took a bit of walking until we stopped in front of a door. Paya opened the door, revealing the room on the other side.

It was really large—at least three times bigger than the rooms I've stayed in previously. I don't like being picky, sure this room looked amazing, but I didn't like the size of the room.

Paya turned to me. "W-well, this is where you'll be staying. Please don't h-hesitate to call m-me if you need anything!"

I stared at her with a bemused expression. What was she being so nervous for? Her face was absolutely blazing crimson. It's the middle of spring, so perhaps she had allergies that were acting up?

"Paya, right?"

Her face reddened even more. I pondered if I should I call for help. "Yes!"

"Glad to make your acquaintance," I said dully.

"I'm glad to make your acquaintance too!" she said a bit too forcefully. She quickly scampered away.

What a weird girl.

Without another word I entered and shut the door behind me. I threw my backpack off and flopped onto the room's immense bed. I slowly sank into its softness. Just what I needed after such a long day. And utter silence... yeah. This was good.

I laid there for a while looking at my phone. I was just looking through the immense selection of songs from various artists. I never had a favorite. I guess I just listened to whatever the hell I felt like listening to.

I guess ten or fifteen minutes elapsed— I'm not exactly sure —when I heard soft knocking on the door. Oh for the love of Nayru, what now? Was it Impa or that Paya girl again?

"What is it?" I said, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my tone. "Just come in already!"

The door slightly cracked open. A brunette girl peered her head around the opening. She looked at me as if waiting for affirmation to enter. I gestured for her to enter and she did.

So my initial assumptions went out the window. She was wearing a white dress shirt and denim pants.

What's a girl like her doing here? Mr. Harkinian's wife maybe? Okay, maybe that guess was a bit too far fetched given how young she looked. I mean, I've seen actors in their forties look like they're in their early twenties. Y'know what? Forget it. She looked about my age—that's all you need to know.

"Is... now a bad time?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I dunno, you're already here so..." I sighed. "What do you want?"

"Link Forrestor, right?" she asked earnestly. I nodded slowly. She brushed away her bangs. "My name is Zelda Harkinian. It's nice to meet you."

A/N: Call it laziness but I'm ending the chapter right there

So I'm back babeh—talking to the three or four active followers haha...

Augh, well, I decided to write stuff and here it is. Not to mention this is the first time I've written in first person... Ah well, Imma be pantsing this for the most part. I'll update here and there when I can or feel like it. I wanna get to 13 chapters for symbolism sake <.<

I feel as if I'm gonna cringe my ass off one day for writing this