Chapter I: The Awakening

                  In a realm far beyond sight
                      The sky shines gold not blue
                  There the Triforce's might
                      Makes mortal dreams Come true

'If thou hast a strong desire, ask and it shall be thine'
He stood upon the altar and looked down upon his bloodstained hands. At first his gaze was indiffernt. Almost a wide-eyed wonder. But soon a grinchish smile formed and his eyes shone with a sadistic glee like a wolf stalking a sick and feeble goat. He looked down at his bloody hands again. He averted his focus from himself to over the landscape. It was littered with the men who had sworn alleigence to him. Loyal brigands who swore they would follow to the death indeed had but they fell not by the hand of an adversary, but by the one who they vowed to follow.   Soon he was roaring with a sadistic laugh.
   'It is mine' he whispered as though he was in awe of himself. 'IT IS MINE!'
He was carried away in a orgasm of laughter.   A still, intimate voice whispered in his ear. It was as delicate as a lover's kiss. He was not the first to hear this voice as others had heard it before him and others would hear it later. Others such as Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, Hitler. It said the same thing to him as it had to them:
'This is you moment, The world is in you grasp, take it and reign'

"For what shall it profit a man if he were to gain the entire world, yet forfiteth his soul?" Mark 8:36

Chapter I: The Awakening

               The Hero's triumph on cataclysm's eve
                   Wins three symbols of Virtue
                The Master Sword, then will he retrieve
                   And keep the Knight's Line true

The wind ran wild through the trees. The Rain crashed upon the land with an angry, violent fury. The lightining danced betweent the clouds as though it was possessed. The thunder roared like the guns of a battleship cought in Ares' fever pitch. It was a chill autum evening. The sort of night which a child would crawl into bed with his parents seeking solace from the tempest's anger.
    'Help me' whispered a frantic voice. 'Please help me'
    A young boy lay in bed tossing and turning about Like a ship with broken sails cought in a raging tempest.
    'Help me, please' continued the voice. It was the voice of a young girl, pleasent, but she grew more and more panicked with every word. 'You must Help me'
    The boy roused slowly, scratching his head and yawning.
'What an odd dream', he mused.
He heard the furious storm all around him. He noticed the meager light of a lantern burning steadfastly out side his door. He shook his head in efforts to wake himself further. The boy arose and exited his room. He saw his uncle girding himself, as though he was going to battle.
    'Uncle,' the boy said 'What are you doing?'
    'Return to bed.' He ordered with a voice as firm as the thunder
    'Where are you going?'
    'I'm just going out, I'll be back by morning.'
    'It's too dangerous out side. Let me come.'
    'No, Link Get back to sleep now, We'll have a busy day tomorrow.'
    His uncle was a stout man. He was as tall as an oak and as broad as a river. His hands were rugged and calloused. His face was bearded and his brown eyes shone with the sagacity that had been passed down to him. He was an old soldier whose fighting days long since had passed, yet here he was girding himself for another battle.
    'Something is not right Uncle, I can feel it. Come, let us make it right!'
He let free a laugh 'Just like your father, Your courage outweighs your common sense. You are very brave Link, But you are also very foolish. With a combination of that, you won't be breathing much longer. Return to bed, and do not leave this house. I'll be back by dawn.'
'Tell me what's going on!'
His uncle paid him no heed as He sheathed the family sword, slung his shield behind his back, and took hold of the lantern. He took in a hearty breath,and left.

'Do not leave the house'
   Those words resonated within his skull.
    'Do not leave the house', he said, but how could he not? Something about this night was wrong. It tugged at him and nagged at him like a splinter digging into his conscience. How could he return to bed? With each moment that passed, he grew restless.
    Link paced back and forth. He had this feeling of anticipation mixed with dread, The kind of feeling one would have before taking a test or giving a recital. The voice was so real, he could have sworn it. If he told his Uncle, he'd dismiss Link as being crazy. Of exactly how much time passed, I am uncertian.
    'Please help me!'
    He jumped as though a current was sent through his body. Nevertheless, There it was again clear and loud as a church bell at morningtide. Only louder.
    'Who are you? What do you want from me?'
    'My name is Zelda. I am the King's daughter. I am being held captive
in the castle. Please. There is not much time. I need you now. Help me I beg of you.' her voice grew more and more frantic with each word she spoke.
     'Where should I go?'
    'I am being held prisoner in the castle. Please, for the love of Hyrule, Help me.' He could tell by her urgent tone, that she was nearly in tears.
     That was all the boy needed.
    He hastily pulled on a light green jerkin a floppy cap, as well as an old pair of boots.

The storm outside grew in rage and fury. When he stepped out, he was blown back. It was As though the force of the wind and, slash of the rain, were directed exclusively at him. The rain stung at his skin like angry hornets. The wind chilled him to his very core, and nearly knocked him back inside.
As afore mentioned, Link was a young boy. As to his age, I am uncertian. He was slighty small for his age. He was of decent stature, lean but not scrawny. His eyes were quick and eager. He was in need of a hair cut, as though he was a little mangy. Signs of his passage were starting to show. His features were a bit ruddy, but he was handsome in his own way.
His heart increased it's pulse. Inspite of the rain, he did feel a tinge of persperation. He shut the door and headed down the path. As he walked on, his pace quickening. before he knew it, Link was sprinting.
It seemed, that the closer he drew to his destination, the more violent grew the tempest. Soon the palace came into view. He stopped breifly by and old tree to catch his breath. He looked back at the path going to his house. He then looked foreward to the palace. Link took another deep breath and continued. when he arrived at the front gate, Link found he could go no further.
'Zelda! Where do I go?'
'Look for an old tree. There's a drain nearby which you can enter.'
So he did. He arrived at the tree and found nothing by which he could enter. He looked around friutlessly. frustration started to set in, when he felt the ground benath his feet give way. With a loud thud he hit the ground again. It was a cold stoney floor where Water rose about six inches high.

'I'm in where to now?'
'Keep going.'
He stood up and dusted himself off. A meager light flickered just a head. He walked to it, keeping his steps light so as not to be detected. His eyes grew as wide as bowls, and he sprinted over to the flame.
'Uncle!'
He lay on the ground, battered, broken.
With what little strength he had left in him, he sat up right. Link knealt beside him and took him in his arms.
'Link. I told you not to leave the house.'
'We must get you help!'
'No! no time now. hurry and get to Zelda.'
'But you're-'
'I'm fine. Besides, what is one man when an entire kingdom is in peril? Leave me boy! Take my sword and shield, The longer you tarry the worse it will be now go!'
'I do not understand'
'I didnt want you to get involved with this, but I don't suppose that that matters now.'
'What can I do, I'm just one person?'
'It only takes one man to make a difference. Go! NOw! Hyrule is in your hands. Zelda is your, destiny....' With that he breathed his last, and resigned his life to the divine hands.
the lantern he carried also was spent, letting the darkness blanket them. Only silence now. Link released him. He brought his hands up to his face and sank his head into his palms. He sat still in the silence, oblivious to the storm out side or the peril with in.
'Please Link, I need you as well.'
'...what is one man when an entire kingdom is in peril...'
with a deep breath he pulled in his tears. He took the sword in hand and strapped the sheild upon his arm. His fists clasped fast upon the hilt, Likewise his jaws clave tightly together.
'Rest well uncle. I will avenge you.'
He took the lantern in hand and once again it shone. It's light was as radiant as a beacon lighting his path as he walked foreward. His heart increased its pace even at an greater rate.
'I'm coming Zelda. hold on'

'Link, thank you. now listen carefully, up ahead and to your right, you'll see an archway, I want you to go in it.' he continued on.
'Alright I'm there, what now?'
keep going foreward, you should see a staircase just ahead.'
He entered the stair way and descended.
'So, well...', He said, unsure of what to say, if anything at all.
'I know what you're thinking, I'll explain everything as soon as I can'
It was some consolation to him. He very well knew that he could not survive this night. he was A single young boy against an entire castle full of soldiers. Perhaps his uncle was correct about his courage out weighing his common sense. As though any of that matered now.
'Halt!' the call nearly made Link jump out of his skin 'Who Goes there?!'
the sentry stood before him, sword drawn, armour shining in the torch light.
'I, I came to save Princess Zelda!'
'Foolish child! you and you beloved princess will be together soon enough!'
the Sentry lunged at Link. He was as swift as a fox and and easily evaded the clumsy attack. He swung, full bore at his aggressor. The shock from striking the solid armour nearly knocked him over. He cursed at himself for being so foolish. Link had handled a sword very few times in his young life. He recieved a large metal boot square in his chest. It had the impact of a freight train, and sent the aspiring hero crashing against the wall. Link raised his sheild just as the sentry swung for the kill. the resonance shook his bones loose. If he did not do something quickly his quest would be over before it had begun.
He rolled and returned to his feet. He dodged a couple more strikes. His lungs craved more air and his sword felt as heavy as a mountain. He launched a strike of his own, but overswang. the gaurd side stepped, and rammed his metal clad fist into the small of Link's back. He knealt on all fours gasping for air. Luckily he had enough prenence of mind to move. Still on hands and knees, he grabbed the base of a torch. He arose and pivoted, plunging the fire into the gaurds face. His adversary screamed in panic. Link swung, hitting the his thighs, and toppling him. He took a deep breath, and drove his sword into a joint in the armour.
Link expelled an exasperated sigh.

Across the shadows, Zelda sensed everything Link had just endured 'I'm sorry Link'
'So am I. I had no choice.'
Her heart increased it's pace as he came closer. Her delivery was at hand. 'Where do I go now?'
'Just keep going straight.'
Link clung to the shadows so the gaurds could not find him.
He came to a long spiral staircase which he descended. As soon as he finished the final step, 'Link Look out!'
He was taken surprise by both hearing Zelda's voice, and the gaurd, charging at him.
He raised his shield, just as the sentry swung his mace. The force caused Link to drop his shield all together. Link swung, but was deflected. The gaurd, countered. Link raised his sword in defence. The chain of the mace wrapped around his sword. His adversary used his position against Link, by hefting him against a wall, causing him to loose his sword. He fell to the ground, and noticed an earthen pot. He picked it up and slung it into the gaurd. Now dazed, Link grabed him, and drove him into the wall, head first.

The gaurd responded by driving his elbow into LInk's stomache causing him to stagger back, eyes wide. He saw his sword over to the left, and dove for it. His oppressor stalked him like a bear. Link Held his sword before him, focusing. When his enemy pressed at him, he released. With an awesome circular stroke, the soldier was thrown back. Before the sentry could get the chance to recover, Link finished the job.
He leaned against the wall, voraciously sucking in air. His side ached, and his shoulders wanted to fall from their sockets every time he raised his arms. Just now in his view was Zelda locked in a cell. He was oblivious to her untill she called out to him. Zelda saw her savior, hunched over the broken gaurd, and smiled.

'I Knew you'd come Link!'
Link looked up and squinted through sweat soaked eyes. Zelda smiled serenly at him. All the sudden, his plight through the storm and grueling battles against two gaurds who overmatched him, seemed well worth it.
'So you're Zelda.' There were so many things he needed to ask her, so much he wanted to know. He went up to her cell and looked at her, which he could have done all day. Her eyes glowed with relief they said nothing at first. 'Where's the key?' He finally managed to say.
'He has it', refferring to the gaurd
Link retrieved it and opened the cell. She shone a celestial smile upon him.
'Should I bow or something?'
She chuckled at his query. 'No, let's just get out of here.'
'Where to?'
'We need to go to the throne room, there we can escape to the Sanctuary. Link I know that you are confused, I'll explain everything after we escape. We must hurry before the wizzard finds us. The troops are under his control.'
'I sorta figured that out already.'
'Oh and Link, Thank you!' she gave hm a sweet little kiss on the cheek. With her kiss, Link felt as though he could run till dawn.
Now Zelda was probally about Link's age. She was young, kind hearted, pure in spirit. She had eyes as blue as the sunlight waters off a tropical iland, and they were bright like sapphires. They were still a little moist, but now they held relief and even a tinge of happiness. Her hair was golden like a dafodil, and shone the High Noon sun. She had a visage as fair and as plesant as a lilac. Her complection was as well fair, like a magnolia's petals. Zelda possesed an angelic frame which was as lovely as an orchid and had begun, quite nicely, to blossom. Many had admired her for her grace, knowledge and spirit, as well as for her beauty and charm. She was resolute, and strong in spite of her age and circumstances. If her heart was was racing before Link came, now, it was in orbit.

When, he took her hand, he felt a warmth that overpowered the chill that the storm had gave him. It was electrifying, and captivating. 'Well', she said, 'let's be off. will still have a very dangerous ways to go. Are you ready?'
He thought briefly. 'Well, I don't actually think that it matters if I'm ready or not. OH well, I'll get you to saftey.' he managed to crack a smile in spite of himself, which she found comforting and returned it.
With a hearty breath they turned and up the stairs they went.
'Where to now?'
'Just down this passageway'
They walked in the shadows along the walls. The coridors were spacious. They moved like foxes sneaking around a farm. For the most part the castle was as empty as a ghost town. She guided him on where to turn. They said little for fear of getting caught. Link stopped, hearing the loud footfalls of heavy armoured feet. He peered around the corner and saw three soldiers. He paused and took a stout and hearty breath. She looked at him and sent up a prayer.

End Chapter