[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/fonts/the-wild-breath-of-zelda-font/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210308/b4e6c83bd8f80d816ece5dedf057c800.png[/img][/url][/center]

[i][center]Link has just woken up after a century's rest in the shrine of resurrection. As expected, he navigated the Great Plateau and was given the task to find Impa. However, a Yiga Clan threat is on the rise, and Kakariko Village is none the wiser. This will be updated whenever I see fit since I'm a busy guy. Just for reference, this fic will never feature 18+ content. Don't expect it. If you want more consistent updates, check the google doc. It isn't as pretty, but it is revised more often. [url]https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KVbAQYEtkjfqyEtyCPJkutuRDXyYiLgy5MFFOj1HPY0/edit?usp=sharing[/url][/center][/i]

[hr]
[color=1E90FF][h2]Prologue[/h2][/color]

The grass was set ablaze caused by the sparks of dying machinery. A light sprinkle of rain kept the would-be inferno at bay, and the drops pitter-pattered gently against the ground. It was as if Hylia herself was sobbing over the destruction of her kingdom. Where was their goddess now, though? Hyrule’s chosen hero knelt onto the muddy ground, using his sword for support. The one and only Sword that Seals the Darkness had become nothing more than a makeshift crutch for the hero. Both the blade and its wielder have seen better days.

Link grunted as he fought to keep steady. His clothes were singed and stained with a mixture of mud and blood. It was his blood. His body was burned from the Guardian attacks. Each movement he made caused his wounds to sting intensely. He wanted to rest, but the battle was far from over… Out of the corner of his blue eyes, the knight spotted another one of those damned machines crawling over like an oversized bug. It clawed over its fallen brethren, which were reduced by Link to a tangle of gears and mechanical limbs. It stared down at him with its single, luminous eye.

He had to get up. He had to keep standing. Seething, Link pushed himself back to his feet, stumbling- and ignoring the Princess’s pleas to retreat and save himself. He couldn’t do that. This was what he had trained for his entire life! It was his duty as her appointed knight to protect her. After all, he believed she was Hyrule’s last hope. Despite the pain shooting through his body, he knew his clash with death would end tonight. This was it. He was going to die for Hyrule.

Brushing a few locks of his now grimy, golden hair out of his eyes. Link held his ground. He panted and lifted up the legendary blade. The demonic machine ominously beeped as it focused its attack on him. Good. He could hold it off just long enough while the princess escaped. He listened to the beeps and whirrs of the enemy quicken. Within another second, it would release a harsh beam of energy and kill him. He gritted his teeth, preparing for the end.

But...it seemed the princess had other plans. She shoved her knight back, protesting his sacrifice. Link admired her courage, but he couldn’t focus on her sentiment for long. A blinding, golden light shot from her hand. He knew this was the power of the goddess. Even at death’s door, he was glad to see his companion finally accomplish her goal. She unlocked the power of the Golden Goddess. The light bathed her and the rest of the field, turning all a shimmering shade of gold. The battle was over, and Link fell back to his knees.

All of the Guardians fell limp and collapsed onto the ground, but so did he. He drew in a few shaky breaths. Link's body had gone numb from pain, but his head still spun. The knight desperately wanted to close his eyes and rest, but if he did, he wouldn’t open them ever again. The princess, though spattered with mud, looked as beautiful as ever. She lifted him, saying something he couldn’t quite understand. He weakly lifted his head and wheezed. His eyes stopped focusing, so her figure was a blur to him. Still, he tried to meet her gaze. It was a sparkling green. [i]You can do this[/i], he so desperately wanted to shout to her. [i]You’re going to save Hyrule![/i]

Link gave her, for a split second, a reassuring smile. However, the coughs that wracked his body were a grim reminder that it was his time. The princess held onto her chosen knight knowing, despite her reassuring words, he was not going to be okay. She saw him blink, draw in a small breath, and then close his eyes. Not a moment later, his muscles relaxed and he went limp. He was gone. She thought he felt heavier now.