Princess' Shade | WW-era Hyrule Castle

[shadeofaprincess]

[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.]

Comments

[shadeofaprincess]

[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?

[his_grace]

...I don't know.

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

I'm searching for my memories.

[shadeofaprincess]

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?

[his_grace]

[ He looks to his feet. ]

...my past.

[shadeofaprincess]

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.

[his_grace]

...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. ]

[shadeofaprincess]

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.

[his_grace]

[ 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?

[shadeofaprincess]

[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.

[his_grace]

[ 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.

[shadeofaprincess]

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?

[his_grace]

[ He wasn't expecting anything. ]

I have no other choice.

[shadeofaprincess]

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

Why do you not forget?

[his_grace]

Because if I do nothing, everyone dies.

[shadeofaprincess]

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?

[his_grace]

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

[shadeofaprincess]

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.]

[his_grace]

I'll die if I don't.

And so will she...

[shadeofaprincess]

... Do you wish to see her happy?

[his_grace]

With all my heart.

[shadeofaprincess]

Then you have your future.

Now use your past to make it possible.