realmofmirrors | Princess' Shade | WW-era Hyrule Castle

[This is but one of the legends of which the people speak...

Long ago, a princess tried desperately to save her kingdom and make those who mattered most to her happy. She failed, ultimately, and disappeared into obscurity along with the remains of her precious kingdom.

The remains of which you have found yourself in.

Deep beneath the waves of the Great Sea, the Kingdom of Hyrule lies in stasis, untouched by time or the ocean bearing down upon it. The grand castle the princess of legend built stands absolutely still and quiet, surrounded by a barrier of unknown origin, cutting it off even from the rest of the sunken land.

The interior of the castle is no less solemn, with fallen pillars and broken banisters as evidence of the ancient battle that led to the country's sealing. Yet a statue still stands tall and inspiring in the hall's center, framed by portraits of the old kingdom's ruling family on either side. But the battle is over, and the world silent and unmoving.

Except, perhaps, if you catch the ghostly melody echoing within the castle's stone walls. But then again, perhaps you are only hearing things. For all intents and purposes, this place is abandoned.]

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[This castle, this forgotten kingdom, is her domain, and the sudden presence of someone vaguely familiar causes the spirit to pause in her chanting.

(Not the Hero of Winds, not Daphnes... but it also isn't...)

There is only one other being older than her left in this world, and yet, this boy rekindles curiosity she long thought dead. After a moment's time, the song begins anew, louder and clearer than before, seeming to come from around the area where the sword-wielding statue stands.

Who are you, child, and what business do you have in the world below...]

[ That statue...

The clothes are different, yes. There's no telling if this person ever wore the color his hero once wore, the color he now wears, and yet...

He's drawn to it.

He walks closer to it, until he stands just before the base. His hand reaches out to touch the plaque, wondering. Was this some long forgotten place in Skyloft? Or perhaps the surface? A grand temple paying tribute to the hero...?

He looks down, hugging his arms to his chest. None of this makes sense. And that song... ]

[The spirit simply watches for a moment, her song almost taking on a contemplative tone to match the boy's pensive mood. He knows of the Hero, recognizes the significance, and yet... there is confusion around him.

Without a sound - no footsteps, no rustling - she makes herself visible, standing behind him without much expression at all.

But she is curious. The song shifts, changes into words.]

You are not of Hyrule, nor the sea.

[Stated as obvious facts, but there is an underlying question laced within them. Why?]

[ His posture straightens--jerks that way, a faint hint of the awkward boy he used to be, before destiny befell him. ]

I am from the sky.

[ He states that quietly, not turning to look behind him. ]

[There is no change in her deposition - there is barely even any change in her ghostly voice. ... The sky. How?]

You know of the Hero.

[How can someone claiming to be of the sky recognize the Hero of Hyrule?]

Not this one. I know of two heroes--the one of my past, and the one of my present.

[Ah. A time discrepancy, then. To most it might sound insane, but to a spirit hoping for one? It is almost good news.]

Why have you come here, then?

...I don't know.

[ The formality he tried so hard to exude fades away. He sounds lost. ]

I'm searching for my memories.

Memories need not be searched for. Merely remembered.

[Again, without a sound, she moves to stand beside him, appearing to stare up at the Hero's statue.]

This is a world of many memories, though not all are pleasant. What is it you wish to recall?

[ He looks to his feet. ]

...my past.

Then ask yourself what you want most in the world. What you wish your future to be.

[Still, she stares up at the statue, though something in her demeanor has changed. Quietly, she has become almost wistful.]

Primal desires such as those tend not to change drastically with time.

...I can't do that.

[ His voice is small, weak.

What he wants most in the world is to go back being a normal boy in Skyloft with Zelda. He doesn't want to be the reincarnation of a goddess, of all things. He just wants to be who he is. Link. A boy.

Not a hero.

Not a goddess.

Not one who carries the entire fate of the world on his shoulders. ]

Your future is built on the actions of your past.

["Now... we're the only ones who can save Hyrule!"

"Give the Ocarina to me. As a Sage, I can return you to your original time with it."

Echoes of who she once was long, long ago ring in her memories, never forgotten.]

If you cannot come to terms with that, then you will do nothing but flounder in the present.

[ There's a flare of irritation in his face.

He knows that all too well. That's the very thing he wishes weren't true. ]

And what if I wasn't the one who did those actions?

[The Shade remains entirely impassive.]

You speak of wishing to remember your past, yet deny any attachment to it when prompted.

[She doesn't answer the question, of course - this is something the boy must figure out on his own. She will serve to make him aware of his conflict, however.]

There is far greater dissonance within you than mere forgetfulness.

Edited 2012-10-05 02:23 (UTC)

[ He hugs his arms more tightly to his chest, almost scrutinizing his feet.

This is a dream. So there's no harm in telling this--

It's then that he finally takes a look at who's standing beside him.

An apparition.

One who reminds him of... ]

...I am the mortal incarnation of the goddess, Hylia.

Are you?

[What, was he expecting her to be surprised? After everything she's seen and done?]

Do you truly lay full claim to that title?

[ He wasn't expecting anything. ]

I have no other choice.

There is always choice. You could forget - cease this endeavor to remember, but you do not.

Why do you not forget?

Because if I do nothing, everyone dies.

Death is inescapable. All things that are born will die.

[Sorry, Link, you're speaking to a ghost about death. You might not get what you want to hear.

Then again, a repetition of the question might not be what you want to hear either.]

Why do you not forget?

I have work to do, work that I...that...Hylia...left behind. I must finish it, to protect the Triforce and the world.

Do you want to protect the world?

[She does not give as much away, but this boy... reminds her of who she once was, somewhat. Consumed by a sense of duty. Forever in conflict with the pain and desire that duty creates.]

I'll die if I don't.

And so will she...

... Do you wish to see her happy?

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his_grace - 2012-10-05 03:52 (UTC) - Expand

shadeofaprincess - 2012-10-05 03:53 (UTC) - Expand