Chapter Text
Chapter 7
The dense canopy of trees created little patches of sunlight through the snow covered forest. The vibrant moss entwined around the trunks and the branches, hanging like they were decorations for a Peace Day Tree. The earth beneath Link and Y/N's feet crunched softly on the crisp snow with each step as they traveled deeper into Faron Woods. A heavy fog encircled the paths and the bogs creating an almost ethereal look to the woods themselves.
"We're almost there," Link said. He shuddered thinking about how many times he traversed these woods in the past and how each time trouble seemed to find him. The once peaceful woods now felt hollow and empty, much like himself in his current state.
"It's been so long since I've walked these paths. I always had a feeling I was going to come back here." Link gazed down at his stiff wooden hands, clenching and unclenching his fingers and sighed. "Well----certainly not like this."
Y/N turned towards Link and gave him a smile that was both soft and warm. "We'll find a way to reverse this curse on you, Link," she said tenderly. "I'm not sure how, but I believe we'll find something. It's like you said, there's bound to be some sort of light magic that can help you."
The faintest hint of a smile tugged at the young hero's painted lips. "I appreciate your optimism, Y/N," Link replied. "It makes the world a difference."
Y/N offered a hand to Link to which he gladly accepted as they jumped on a small trail of stones across the water to reach the other side of the forest. Link jumped to another stone but nearly lost his footing, nearly falling backwards into the water until Y/N grabbed both of his hands to quickly steady him.
"One step at a time Link," Y/N said, "There you go." Y/N pulled him across to safety, a sigh of relief escaped his lips once he was back on solid ground again. The fog began encircling around the two of them, obscuring their vision even more so like a mask had been pulled over both of their eyes.
Link rummaged through the small leather pouch attached to his hip and pulled out a black lantern and a glass bottle filled with a golden liquid. He popped the cork off of the bottle, gently pouring the liquid into the lantern and turning the knob until a warm glow emulated from it like the light was a lost soul trying to find its way back home.
"Sure is quiet in here isn't it?" Y/N said, taking a hold of Link's arm. The two of them crept along the mist, the air growing heavier as the fog grew thicker like there was nothing left in the world.
Link stopped walking and realized how deafening the silence was. Birds no longer chirped in the trees. The water that usually rushed over the stones seemed to have frozen over like fear had pierced the land and silenced everything that was meant to bring beauty and joy to others.
"Too quiet," Link said, his voice serious and calm. He handed the lantern to Y/N as he unsheathed the Master Sword and Hylian Shield from his back. His vibrant blue eyes became alert like a wolf on the hunt for its prey.
The two stood next to each other, Y/N gripping the handle of the lantern as tightly as she could though they each could feel fear settling into their bones, the air growing colder and more frigid as another horrific screech pierced the air.
As if bathed in the night itself, a large bird with blood red eyes and inky black wings shot through the mist at a rapid speed.
"Y/N! Watch out!" Link cried out upon seeing the creature barreling towards them. The talons barely missed her head as Link raised his shield, the talons scraping against the Hylian shield, like nails running down a chalkboard.
Y/N was about to stand upright when the bird circled back around the two of them again and dove towards them.
Link pulled Y/N to the ground, shielding her with his wooden body as she covered her head with her hands. Link bashed his shield against the demonic bird's head, stunning it momentarily
"Goddesses--what is that thing?!" Y/N called out.
"It's like some demonic bird--" Link replied. The beast reared its wings and let out another blood curdling battle cry as it started making its way towards the hero. "Y/N get behind me!"
Without thinking, Y/N quickly crouched behind Link as he raised the Master Sword and slashed at the bird's leg, nicking it as it thrashed in the air, only angering the creature further.
The bird shook itself from its daze, it charged at the pair again, its sharp beak pecking violently at Link's shield, a couple of close calls when the bird nearly scratched his face.
Link raised his shield again at the bird, watching it fall to the ground and stabbed it in its chest as it let out one final screech.
"Link watch out!" Y/N yelled. A whole flock of the demonic looking birds emerged through the mist coming straight towards Link and Y/N again.
Link quickly rolled on the ground and circled around the birds, taking them down with one swoop, although not as graceful as he would've liked.
"Oh Hylia---there's more?!" Link called out as a whole army of birds began circling the skies like a tornado. The birds set their sights on the hero and his companion, a cacophony of squawks and screams filled the air as the birds broke formation, diving at lightning speeds.
Y/N whipped her book off of the side of her and swung it around in her hands like it was a slingshot, hitting one of them in the face. "Where are they coming from?!" she called out.
"Watch the shadows!" Link called. "Ungh!" A demonic bird swooped behind Link, knocking him to the ground. The Master Sword flew from his hands a few feet away from him. He crawled towards his weapon, only to be stopped by one of the birds standing on the handle. The bird screeched in his face as Link shut his eyes tightly, the force of the screech knocking his green cap off of his head.
Link shook his head and cast his shield aside. His hands clenched and unclenched into tight fists as he approached the large bird that refused to leave his weapon.
"Fine, you want to fight the old-fashioned way huh?!" Link shouted. He put his hands up. "So be it!"
The bird spread its wings and charged towards Link, talons blazing. Link kept his hands up and his stance low. He circled around the bird as he waited for it to get close enough to him. The bird swooped low as Link rammed into its middle, pushing it back with all the strength his wooden body could muster. He planted his feet on the ground, feeling himself getting pushed back at the weight of the bird. Link shifted his weight forward, his arms felt like they were going to give out the longer he held on.
C'mon Link. C'mon Link!
His knees almost buckled underneath him. The bird flapped and thrashed wildly in an attempt to shake him off. Link grit his teeth as he took another step forward, inches away from his weapon that lay at his feet. His hands started slipping from the beast's middle. He eyed his weapon that was close by. He quickly let go of the bird and rolled to grab his sword as the bird snapped its beak at him, barely missing his ear. Link held his sword out in front of him as more birds encircled around him, some rearing their wings and screeching to summon more.
Y/N watched the scene unfold. Her eyes doubled in size seeing how badly outnumbered Link was.
"Link!" Y/N cried out. She whacked another bird in the face in hopes to give her some more fighting room. She grabbed the lantern and swung at one of the birds with it. "Get away from him!"
The flames leapt forth from the lantern as several landed on the demonic birds, causing the birds to jump back and let out loud screeches as it caught on fire before quickly disappearing into a cloud of smoke. Y/N looked at the bird that exploded into smoke, the other birds seemed to pick up on what happened. She pulled a large branch from the forest floor and quickly lit it with whatever light was left from the lantern.
Y/N raised her torch and ran towards the birds to scare them away. One by one she swung at the birds and watched them catch on fire or fly away in droves.
"Back! Back!" she yelled as she stood in front of Link. She held her torch out in front of her as the last remaining birds flew away, squawking and struggling to fly without ramming into each other and trying to stay out of the light.
The fog began to lift, returning Faron Woods back to its peaceful state. Y/N and Link caught their breath as Y/N clutched at the heart shaped pendant around her neck. She closed her eyes for a moment as she nearly fell back against the tree, Link supporting her as she sat down. He placed the Master Sword back into its sheath and placed an arm around Y/N's shoulders.
"Are you alright?" Link said, tenderly.
Y/N nodded her head slowly as she slowly regained composure. She placed her hand over her heart and took steadier breaths.
"I'm alright," she said, a little winded but still in good spirits. "Thank the goddesses you're alright, Link. I thought those things had you!"
"I thought so for a moment as well," Link said, helping Y/N stand back up on her feet. He picked up his Hylian shield and slung it across his back. "We shouldn't linger here too long in case they come back."
Y/N picked up his cap and blew the dirt off of it. "I agree. Wouldn't want to run into those things again. Once is more than enough."
She handed Link his cap as he placed it back onto his head. "Hopefully we don't run into any trouble at the Sacred Grove either." Y/N picked up her book and slung it across herself again. A small smile touched the hero's painted face.
"Y'know, Y/N I must say I'm impressed with how you carry yourself in battle," Link said, a glimmer in his cerulean orbs.
Y/N adjusted the strap and moved the book to her hip. "Me? In what way?"
"Well, using a book as a weapon for starters," Link said with a chuckle. "I guess the pen is mightier than the sword sometimes."
Y/N chuckled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Zelda told me if I ever have to defend myself, use whatever means necessary."
Zelda. Her sister's name rang in her ears like church bells. The smile fell from her face as she thought about her sister and brother trapped in their own home. Her fingers toyed with the heart shaped pendant again, a habit she seemed to pick up whenever she thought of them.
"You best hold onto that book, Y/N. It's saved our lives more than once."
Y/N smiled softly as she fixed her cloak.
"We should keep moving towards the Sacred Grove while there's still daylight," Link said. He motioned with his head. "It's beyond those trees."
"Let's leave now before we run into any more surprises," she said, straightening out her dress. as she and Link continued their trek through Faron Woods.
Goddesses, I hope Zelda and Fabian are alright.
***
The dank, musty smell of the dungeons tickled the princess's nose, nearly making her keel over from the awful stench. Zelda's eyes fluttered open, her nightgown stained with dirt and mud. Her head throbbed as she sat up slowly in her cell as a pair of footsteps echoed in the distance.
A prisoner. In her own home once again. How did it come to this?
If only I had fought back harder. Oh my dear Hyrule. Forgive me.
Fabian lay next to her, motionless, bound by ropes behind his back. His undershirt splattered with mud and dirt
"Oh goddesses---oh please no!" Zelda cried. "Fabian please wake up!" She sprung to her feet, only to be pulled back by a pair of chains binding her wrists. Zelda snapped backwards, clutching at the chains and grimacing at the pain. She slowly sat back down on the bench in her cell, wincing at the chains rubbing against her wrists.
Fabian slowly came to, the young prince slowly blinked his cerulean eyes.
"Ze--Zelda?" Fabian said, his voice still groggy. Zelda's heart nearly leapt out of her chest hearing her brother's voice.
"Oh thank the goddesses!" Zelda said, her voice filled with relief. "Thank the goddesses!"
"What's happening?" the boy said, his voice shaky but he tried holding on to any optimism he had left. "Where--where's Y/N?"
"She's with Link," Zelda whispered. "They're seeking a way to undo the magical curse on him."
"Link?!" Fabian said, a little too loudly.
"Shh!" Zelda said, glancing over her shoulder every so often. "Yes, Link. Just like the one in uncle's favorite story." She quickly scanned the dungeons in hopes there weren't any monsters secretly hiding, listening in on her conversation.
"Zelda--" Fabian whispered. The boy started shaking whether it was from cold air, fear or a mix of both, he didn't know. A chorus of monsters roared from upstairs only making the boy gulp even more. "I'm scared. What are they going to do to us? What if they hurt Y/N?"
Zelda glanced at the wooden door and paid careful attention to the pitter patter of footsteps that seemed to draw nearer. A wave of fear washed over her, yet she couldn't get herself to say that she was scared. Not for Fabian's sake.
"They're not going to take us down that easily," Zelda whispered, praying her words would offer her brother some comfort.
The large wooden door began to open. Zelda placed a finger up to her lips as she and Fabian shifted back to their normal spots as Andras entered the dungeons. His long, dark cloak billowed behind him. His predatory gaze scanned the cells, a much to pleasant smile crossed his face when he saw Zelda.
"Oh, how sweet," Andras said, his voice silky and smooth. "Here we have not only one of the princesses of Hyrule but her precious baby brother--the Prince of Hyrule as well! Together at last--but what's this?! Oh, dear we seem to be missing some people now do we?" Andras clucked his tongue in fake sympathy. "That's right---that pathetic excuse for a hero of yours and your sister who is clearly no match for me. What was her name again? Oh yes---Y/N!"
Zelda kept a close eye on him as he walked in front of hers and Fabian's cells. His hands were tucked behind his back. "Though I must say, Princess, you were out for so long I thought your spirit had already been broken!" A sinister laugh emulated from the sorcerer. "What a pity it hasn't. I would've quite enjoyed seeing you and your family suffer."
"You won't break us, Andras" Zelda said, her gaze steely and unwavering as she gripped the bars of the cell. "You may have taken over our home, but you will never take Hyrule from us!"
"Oh, my dear that's where you're wrong again," Andras replied, his voice low as he clenched his hand into a tight fist like the power was coursing through his veins. "I already have!" The sorcerer glanced up at the sky, a triumphant look crossed his face. "And once all of Hyrule is under my command---I will be more powerful than Ganondorf and Zant ever were!"
Fabian rushed to the bars holding him back like he was a caged animal, a fierce look of determination shone in his eyes.
"You won't get away with this. My sister and Link will stop you!"
Andras glanced at Fabian in both disdain and amusement. "Oh, my dear boy, how foolish you are with your talk of heroes. How cute. Your so-called hero is nothing more than a toy!"
"Link is much more than a toy!" Zelda cried out. "My sister and him are much more powerful than you will ever be!"
Andras slammed against Zelda's cell in an attempt to make her flinch. "Such weak words for someone who didn't put up a fight to save her own home, a second time," Andras said, a sadistic grin plastered to his face. "If I remember correctly, wasn't it you, Princess, who allowed Hyrule to fall to the usurper king Zant? And wasn't it you, who watched her inhabitants become mere spirits in a world engulfed by Twilight?" The sorcerer rested his hand against his chin and snapped his fingers together. "Ah! Lest we forget you're the reason the Hero of Twilight is the way he is now!"
Zelda roared with fury as she tried to grab Andras through the bars. He snapped his fingers, tightening the bonds around her wrists, sending her to the ground.
"Zelda!" Fabian called out. Andras snapped his fingers again, tightening his bounds as well and making him fall to the floor.
"You forget I possess magic far more powerful than yours, princess," Andras sneered. "Of course, you're free to resist. But it won't change anything!"
With a flourish of his cape, Andras marched back upstairs and stood at the balcony overlooking the kingdom of Hyrule. He sharply whistled as a large, black bird with blood red eyes and sharp talons rested on the edge of the balcony.
"Bring me that nutcracker at whatever cost. Do not let anyone or anything get in your way!"
The bird ruffled its feathers and screeched before taking flight once more, leaving Andras to his destructive glee. The sorcerer laughed as he watched the bird fly off into the distance. Hyrule was going to be his whether the royal family liked it or not.