Chapter no. : Prologue
Chapter title: Prologue
Story rating: T (for now)
BETAed: Not BETAed - if anyone's willing, drop me a line
Disclaimer: Me no own Zelda. I mean, come on - how stupid are you? If I did own Zelda, it would contain much swearing, blood, sex and rock'n'roll. And Yaoi. Don't forget the luffly yaoi. But since I don't own it, I have to settle for entertaining you guys with my stories and OCs - which is fine by me.
Warnings: Not any at the moment. Apart from that this is a yaoi story and contains spoilers from TP.
Notes: This is my second Zelda story - my first was absolute crap, cos it was my first ever fanfiction. I mainly write Beyblade stories, but after playing TP, i got prodded by my muses to try my hand at Zelda writing again. Please enjoy - i'm tres worried about this, as i've got no BETAer, but oh, well, i'm trying -laughs nervously-
I remember the first time I saw him. Up in Zelda's tower, whilst the whole of the Lanayru Province was cast in Twilight…
At first, I did not know it was him. He was just a wolf, with the real Twilight Princess upon his back. I saw nothing of it. I was worried about the Princess' welfare, though, as he was a beast, but the Princess did not motion for me to step out of the shadows and defend her…
She spoke of Hyrule's fate; how Zant was slowly taking over and how he would do unless someone stopped him…
But before she could explain more, she ushered them out - the guard would be making its rounds and if it found him and the Twilight Princess…
"Go after him, Sheik," Zelda had told me as soon as he had left. "Look over him but do not intervene. And do not be seen! Good luck, my friend."
And so I did. I followed him throughout his quest; through the depths of the Lakebed Temple, across the scorching Gerudo desert, back to my home village and even into the Realm of Twilight to watch his battles with Zant and then back to overlook his mêlées with Ganondorf.
Of course he won.
But that makes me sound like I knew it all along - I didn't. A few times (well, more than a few, I admit) when he was injured severely, my heart skipped a beat or two… he would've been killed in his duel with Ganon if it hadn't been for that fairy… I shudder thinking about what could have happened…
Oh, and his fishing rod.
It's strange, though, isn't it? A simple ranch-boy defeating the great King of Darkness…
But he's no ranch-boy; he's the Great Hero; the one prophesised to return again and again whenever darkness rears its ugly head; the one chosen and sent by the Three to save all of Hyrule…
Even after the threat is vanquished from Hyrule, his transition from country farmhand to legendary swordsman seems permanent - he has lived in Hyrule Castle since Ganondorf's defeat; the furthest he has gone is Castle Town. Not once has he even stepped foot in his home province of Ordon since his departure to become Head of the Royal Guard; not even into Hyrule field.
I have seen him many a time; both within the castle walls and in the town, helping others, which his kind nature screams for him to do.
But never has he seen me; no one has. I do not exist. Only two know of my life, and only they have gazed on me…
I gaze on others, not the other way around.
But with the Hero… you cannot just gaze at him… you must look up to him in admiration… it's not a law; but it seems to be an unspoken decree, chosen by everyone in Hyrule unconsciously…
You don't only look in admiration on his skills and feats, but be in awe of his persona and physical appearance: blue eyes like the waters that fill the Zora's Domain, blonde hair like the freshly harvested corn of his home and the kindest smile that no one in this land could match; no, he is truly the work of the Three.
"You'll give yourself a neck problem if you carry on like that, you know."
I turned my gaze from the starry sky to the only other human inhabitant of Old Kakariko.
Impaz smiled up at me. "The only night you come to visit and you spend it staring at the night-time sky."
"You know I am only allowed to leave the Princess for a few days at a time; I am needed for errands," I replied stoically.
"Hm," The old woman's face furrowed, wrinkles digging deeper into her skin, before she too directed her gaze up at the heavens. "Unlike you, young one, I do not like clear nights, so if you will excuse me." She began shuffling off towards her cabin. "See you in the morning, child. If I don't, I will see you next full moon."
My crimson eyes watched her go, softly smiling at the hoard of cats that swarmed around her feet, threatening to trip her up; her obsession with felines is unhealthy…
It truly was a clear night - not a cloud in the sky, and only the brightest stars dotted the black canvas, around the largest, silver moon seen in many years.
The last time there was such a beautiful night, I had left this hidden village to venture into the outside world (ultimately shutting Old Kakariko off since my departure brought swarms of bokoblins, triggering a landslide because of their stupidity). Then, Twilight surrounded the scenic sky and I…
The Princess helped me, after I meandered up to her tower room in the castle. From that… 'day' on, I aided her, giving her news of the surrounding areas as they were enveloped in Twilight shadow; still, I help her to this very day… I don't know why; I just feel it my duty.
Impaz disapproves of me working for the Princess; for a reason I did not know, although I did know it is because she believes Her Highness not only changed me physically, but emotionally and mentally. No longer do I wear the loose, tribal clothing of a simple Sheikah townsperson, but those of a great Sheikah warrior; two-shaded blue exoskeleton-body suit with a white tabard emblazoned with the weeping eye, white bindings, turban and a cowl that hid the lower half of my face. Though Impaz admitted it filled her with pride to see me wear the battle armour of our people's own great hero, it pained her too, to see me so changed; from a musician to a warrior…
And I do not think Impaz will ever tell me why she despises the Princess; maybe she'll tell me at the end of her life… and even though I seek the truth, I do not wish that to happen soon.
She also says that clear nights signal something big. Since there are no clouds to block their sight, the Three can play with their creations; cause havoc for their entertainment…
Does that mean something big was going to happen that night?
A shiver cruised my spine and I shuddered, red eyes darting around my surroundings, looking for the cause of the flare in magic…
It was… shadow magic… but dark shadow - not Sheikah…
I wondered if Impaz felt it.
I looked to my obsidian steed. No large horse for me; no, I needed something small, nimble; a creature able to take the weight of building materials for Old Kakariko, but also be able to run fast, leap high and think swift. Nyx was the perfect animal; he bore some resemblance to the goats of Ordon, but he was slimmer and black in colour, legs much longer too, and his horns were not joined in a circle, but spiralled and pointed, glinting threateningly above his head, ready to spear any enemies that get in his way.
I noted that he looked at ease, sparkling black eyes staring into mine; he felt it too. I gave him a curt nod and, not bothering to saddle up, I leapt onto his back, digging my heels into his sides. He reared up, before cantering off, towards the mouth of the tunnel, leading to the Bridge of Eldin.
What would I find out in the open air of Hyrule Field?
Demi: please review - and if anyone's interested in BETAering this for me, drop me a line - it would be greatly appreciated.