Hello everyone! My name is Michel, though I've posted around here under the penname GW Dark Child and Neo G-Pilot. This is my second Zelda fic, though this one is much, much better than my original. It's also probably the best fan-fic I've worked on to date, but I think that would be up to you guys to decide. I also debated on whether or not I should put a prologue to ease everyone in, but in the end, I decided against it. I'm sure that as the story progresses, Zelda fans will have a good idea when this story takes place. By the end, I hope to provide everyone with an event that could bridge a certain story gap.
Legend of Zelda and all official characters are licensed by Nintendo. They are not mine, I take no credit for them, and I make no profit off of them. All extra characters are mine, as well as the overall plot of the story.
It takes a while to finish a chapter, so expect sporadic updates. I'll try to post every time I finish a chapter. Finally, I hope you all will enjoy the fic.
The Legend of Zelda: Quietus
I
A tired breath escaped the mouth of the cloaked and hooded traveler as he paused at the crest of a hill. He turned his gaze to the small hut nestled in the forest below and felt anew the anticipation that had filled him over the past week. How much had things changed in his long absence? Eriol would be… sixteen? No, seventeen now. From the letters he had received, things were the same as they were before he had left. But letters could only tell you so much, after all. They were nothing compared with coming home and seeing things for yourself.
The traveler adjusted the pack on his shoulder and began moving down the side of the hill towards the house. He passed under a large tree that stretched over the path and remembered climbing amidst its branches when he was a child. A little farther down was the narrow trail that lead down towards the river were he had swam so often in the summer months. There was also a meadow that branched off of that same path, a perfect spot for just lying down and watching the clouds pass by. He couldn't help but smile at all the adventures he had enjoyed as a child, playing with his brother. Things were simpler back then.
The smile remained on his face as he moved down the main path towards the front door of the hut. He felt like he should be nervous or anxious, but the feelings just weren't there. This was home, after all. No matter how much had changed, it would always be home.
What a surprise his uncle was in for! He was expecting the traveler to come next month, when his contract officially expired. There was no way he would know that the Hylian Knights had released their most prodigal student early. Technically, they couldn't hold him past his sixteenth birthday, since that was when he had passed all of his exams and was able to go out on missions for the King. There had been trouble in the east, however, and he had to stay around for another three years before things were quiet enough for him to go home. It seemed like the dark things of Hyrule refused to stay down.
Well, that was behind him now. He had finished his training and served enough time to be granted this respite. The Knights had offered to induct him formally into their ranks, but he had yet to give them an answer. First he had to go home.
Yes, Uncle Darius was in for a big surprise. The traveler could hardly restrain himself from running up to the hut and blowing through the door like a tornado, as he had done when he was little. No, he would enter more dignity than that. He was a soldier, after all.
Oh, to Hell with it. He was home now, not under the watchful gaze of Caleb. Without a further thought, his pace quickened to a run. With a childlike sense of excitement, he bounded forward and laid his hand upon the door and pushed it open even as he charged through. He opened his mouth to proclaim his arrival but his voice caught in his throat.
There was no one there.
It was evident as soon as he had entered. His home only had four rooms, really: a large front room that doubled as the kitchen at one end; his uncle's room that had once served as his parent's; his brother's room; and his own. There was no one in any of them.
Had they gone into town? Or to a neighbor's farm? His pointed ears drooped slightly with disappointment.
They didn't stay drooped for long, however, as the steady rhythm of wood being chopped penetrated the silence of the house. They twitched as he turned to the sound. Link mentally slapped his forehead. It was near sundown and they tended to have some cold nights around here. They would need some fresh wood to keep warm.
The traveler moved over to a door near the kitchen that lead into the field behind the house and pushed it open. Sure enough, near the edge of the forest was an older man who still retained some of the stature of a soldier. It took two swings his axe to split each log when in his youth it had only taken one.
"Greetings old man Darius," the traveler called as he approached the wood-splitter, a grin on his face.
The man paused in his labor and looked up with a raised brow. "Greetings to yourself, stranger."
"Stranger? Well, I have been away for too long if you don't even recognize me anymore." Reaching up, the traveler lowered his hood.
A wide smile spread across the other man's face. "By the Goddesses! What the Hell are you doing home so early, Link?" He laughed and set down his axe, moving to embrace his nephew.
The blonde Hylian returned both embrace and smile. "I thought I'd drop in early and surprise you and Eriol. Where is he, anyway? The house was empty."
Uncle Darius gestured over his shoulder towards a trail that led into the woods. "I sent him for some more firewood a while ago. He'll be back soon enough. Let me get a look at you, boy. Inside though, where you can get out of that mangy cloak. It looks like you've been sleeping in the wilderness for days!"
"I have."
"What, no rupees for a room at an inn?"
Link shrugged as he walked back to the house with his uncle. "Oh no, I have plenty. I never really buy anything outside of supplies. I just… like it outdoors. The fresh air, the night sky… it feels… I don't know… right." He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair. "I sound crazy, don't I?"
"You sound like a soldier," Darius said solemnly. "A good one is always at home in the wild. Always able to take care of himself." Once they were back inside the hut, he turned to face Link directly. "Alright, let's have that cloak and pack of yours."
Link obligingly unclasped the fastener at his neck and pulled his cloak free then slid his pack off. Uncle Darius looked over the loose blue shirt, brown vest, and brown leggings his nephew wore with an appraising eye. "Well, they didn't do much for your fashion sense," he said. "But by the looks of things, you sure have been eating well. Better than we have, I dare say…"
"Was the fall harvest that bad?" Link asked with a frown.
"You know how things are around here. Our crops barely make enough to cover the cost of farming them. But things work out well enough."
Link was about to respond when a new person walked in through the back door, dusting his sleeves free from wood splinters. His brother Eriol was tall and lanky whereas Link was of average height and solidly built. The younger boy had blonde hair as well, though his was of a darker color and longer in length than that of his brother. As soon as he had entered, he stopped and stared at Link.
The sudden appearance hardly fazed the Hylian. Link smiled at his brother and waved a hand in greeting. "Hey, Eriol. You've gotten taller since I left."
The younger boy barely responded to the joke. His green eyes narrowed at his brother and for a moment Link thought he saw a flicker of anger. "You're early," he said. "We weren't expecting you 'till next month."
"He decided to drop in early," Uncle Darius said. He seemed oblivious to whatever it was that Link thought he saw. "Just in time for planting, too. After you settle in, Link, you can get right back to your chores."
Link's gaze lingered on his brother for a moment. Eriol's face was neutral but his eyes smoldered. A shiver went down Link's spine as a feeling of apprehension poked annoyingly at the back of his mind. It was similar to the feeling he had whenever danger was near. More a gift than a feeling, actually, since it had saved his life many times before. But why was it manifesting now?
"Alright," Link said. "I don't mind the work. I get bored when there's nothing to do anyway."
Uncle Darius clapped his hands together. "Alright then. Today we'll have a feast in honor of our returning hero. You can share some stories with us over a nice hot meal. Eriol, go bring in the firewood so I can heat the stove."
Eriol looked as if he was going to protest but held his tongue. Another cold glance was cast at his brother before he turned on his heel and walked out. Link was left slightly bewildered.
The Hylian picked up his bag and went to his old room. Everything was as he left it, down to the few toys his parents had bought or made before they passed away. He smiled fondly and sat on his bed, absorbed in his nostalgia. He couldn't quite enjoy it, though. The way Eriol had looked at him was still on his mind and he found it more and more disturbing. Had he done something to offend him? Link made a mental note to apologize later.
All in all, things seemed to have changed very little since he had left. Link found that both disconcerting and reassuring. Settling back into routine chores would take some time to get used to again, but it was a welcome change after his enrollment with the Hylian Knights.
It was good to be home. But why did he still have that feeling of impending danger?
--
Running.
Feet pounding the floor.
Heart racing.
Darkness.
Where am I?
Doesn't matter.
Enemy!
Strike it down! Kill it!
Why?
Doesn't matter.
The sword cuts through the air. The air screams.
A roar. A gurgle. The sword cleaves through the Moblin's throat.
Blood. Everywhere. Gushing. Spraying.
Why?
Doesn't matter.
Wolfos! Kill it!
The sword slices through its body like a hot knife through butter.
It screams. The blood soaks my clothes. His entrails fall to the floor.
Why?
Doesn't matter.
Enemies! Everywhere!
Stalfos. Tektites. Redeads. Peahats. Ocktoroks. Leevers.
Hundreds. Thousands!
Fight! Kill! Hack! Slash!
Blood. Guts. Not theirs. Mine!
They're on top of me! Goddesses, no! The pain! They're killing me!
Like I kill them.
Why?
Doesn't matter.
--
Link woke up, heart hammering in his chest. He was soaked in a cold sweat, tangled in the twisted covers of his bed. The Hylian tried to sit up, but he felt weak, breathless. Another nightmare… and this one seemed more real than the others ones. All the death… he was surrounded by it, soaked with it…
With sheer willpower, Link forced himself into sitting up. He lowered his eyes to stare at his hands as they trembled violently. Stop, he silently ordered. Stop shaking. Calm down, it was only a dream. A nightmare… I've had them before. They can't hurt me. So why am I shaking so badly?
Stop it, he commanded voicelessly, mouthing the words for emphasis. The trembling subsided. The frantic beating in his chest slowed. Link let out a shuddering breath and brought his hands to his face. Why won't they go away? Have I done something wrong?
I've never fought for the thrill of it. Only for self-defense. I don't like fighting.
So why did I become a soldier?
Because I want to help people.
Link shivered. Too many doubts, too many dark thoughts. It seemed like he couldn't hide from them; not even here, in this familiar, peaceful place. The nightmare had brought them all flooding back… there was no chance he could sleep now.
The Hylian glanced around his room, noting the darkness. It was still night, then. With a sigh of resignation, he stood up and stretched, noticing that his throat was parched. Looks like a trip to the well was in order… but that's fine, he thought to himself. I'm going to be awake for a while.
Link reached down beside the bed and grabbed his boots. He slipped them on and stood, taking a moment to listen to the sounds of the hut. It seemed like Eriol and Uncle Darius was still asleep. He moved out the door into the central room, noting the smoldering fire in the fireplace. Turning towards the door in the 'kitchen', he made his way outside.
Link shivered as he went to edge of the field behind their house where the stone well was built. Glancing upwards, he gazed at the stars and smiled. He always felt better when he looked up at the millions of sparks that hung in the night sky. It was comforting to see such light in a sea of darkness. It felt somewhat ominous as well.
Once at the well, Link drew up a bucket and drank a few handfuls of the refreshingly cool water. That was much better. Now he felt invigorated and strong again. And cold. Very, very cold.
Link turned away from the well when he was done and made his way back to the hut. With a last look at the night sky, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Now, to warm up by the fire…
He paused. There was someone there, standing in front of the fireplace. Link's heart jumped to his throat and he felt his body tense for action. But no, there was no danger. It was Eriol, just standing there, gazing at the sword that was sheathed and mounted above the mantel. Their father's sword.
Eriol looked over his shoulder as Link calmed himself down. "Couldn't sleep either, brother?"
"Bad dreams," said Link. "What about you?"
"Bad dreams," Eriol echoed. He looked back at the sword.
Link walked over slowly, remembering his brother's earlier anger. "Eriol… Have I done something to upset you? If so, I'm sorry."
Eriol scoffed. "You didn't do anything. You never do."
The bitterness was not lost to Link. "Eriol…"
"Goodnight brother," said Eriol. He turned and walked into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Link was left staring after him, confused.