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uniquevoidflowers · 4 months ago

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ROYAL LINK AU UPDATE? Yeah :D

The names you'll hear for the Kokiri are generated names from this generator:

Word count: 4299 (it would've been longer but I wanted the ending to be sort of a cliffhanger >:))

TW: Injury (and there's a description of Legend like, coughing for a while and a memory of being deathly sick as a child idk)

“How do I even find the rest of the heroes?” Legend asked, sitting at the desk in his room with furrowed brows.

“I suggest looking through the ancient texts; they may be of use,” Fi suggested.

“You don’t know?”

“Correct. Though I have more knowledge than others, it will never be enough to fully understand every step along this path that the Goddesses entrust to us, especially when they are vague with us. Follow me to the library, there’s a section that holds the royal texts. Search for any books speaking of heroes.”

Legend obliged, going to the library and letting Fi lead him to a section, hidden behind a row of bookshelves. Once Fi pulled a lever, it revealed a large section of more bookshelves but they were dusty and the books looked older. Fi held it open, nodding to the books and Legend stepped closer, pulling one out of its spot on the shelf. Dust filled his nostrils and he coughed, wiping away the remaining on the book. The book itself had a forest green colour, and the title was fading, but it read, A Guide To The Lost Woods.

Though it seemed interesting it said nothing about heroes so he slid it back into the shelf. He searched through various titles, each intriguing him and he vowed to come back once this was all finished and read them. Eventually, he pulled out a title that read, The Heroes of Hyrule.

Brightening, he flipped to the first page and saw a table of contents.

Introduction Page 1

Hero of Time Page 16

Hero of Legend Page 39

Hero of the Skies Page 45

Hero of Winds Page 56

Hero of Warriors Page 69

Hero of Hyrule Page 80

Hero of the Four Sword (See separate in Additional Notes) Page 90

Hero of the Wilds Page 101

Hero of Twilight Page 119

Hero of Spirits Page 134

Additional Notes Page 143

What they fought against Page 150

Conclusion Page 158

These titles sounded familiar. His name, his friends names, even his Dad’s name sounded like the titles of the heroes listed. He began to read, taking in the information that poured out of text on pages, words coming to life in his mind.

He was able to imagine The Hero of Time, a one-eyed terror, wielding a heavy sword with both his hands and a royal blue ocarina on his belt.

He was able to imagine the Hero of Legend, his endless arsenal and experience as his tools, and his eyes a piercing violet.

He was able to imagine the Hero of the Skies, white sailcloth draped against his back, and a fabled divine sword glowing valiantly in his hands, and his expression written with the fury and wrath that would terrify any living being.

The Hero of Winds, a young spirit, able to call upon the winds with a silver baton and sweep away any foe that dared to underestimate him for his size.

The Hero of Warriors, a captain, his skills to lead and strategize said to outmatch any other, a blue scarf nestled around his neck, a promise of protection.

The Hero of Hyrule, a survivalist, powerful spells at his fingertips, from fire, to healing, to even fearsome lightning, green tunic said to strike fear at the mere sight of it.

Hero of the Four Sword, his knowledge in forging led him to make grand weapons that would harm even the most shielded of enemies, and his ability to split into four warriors that wielded the same skill as him, led him to be respected by the kingdom, patterns in clothing took his adaptation of a multi-coloured tunic, said to represent his four split selves.

Hero of Wilds, wearing a blue tunic of a champion, said to be the most unpredictable, moves so wild and reckless that he took any opponent off guard, and managed to atone for a past failure, escaping death to defeat the beast that plagued his kingdom.

Hero of Twilight, a blue-eyed Divine Beast, able to take the form of a mighty wolf and take down his enemies with sharp claws and vigorous jaw, along with the brute strength by his mere fists.

Hero of Spirits, the proud descendant of the Hero of Winds, who could harness trains and tracks like no other, and play lovely instruments that allegedly brought tears to a listener’s eyes...He could also see spirits and connect with them.

He couldn’t ever imagine being like them. They all seemed so powerful and ruthless, when he couldn’t even get to his mother in time to save her from a dagger, when it took him so long to find out his destiny. “Your Highness?” Fi’s voice rang and he looked over, startled.

“Yes?”

“You seem to be conflicted. Can you recount what you have found if it is relevant to our current task?”

Oh. Right. He cleared his throat, “Yeah, sorry. Each hero either found or forged their swords, but they always had to earn them unlike I just did, so there’s no way that will be of our help. The book does say how they became heroes, but it never mentions a clear way to find them.”

“Hm,” Fi hummed, looking in thought. “We must search more, then.”

Master.

Legend jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice from earlier. Fi noticed and furrowed her eyebrows.

Do not concern yourself with the other heroes. It is up to them to hear the call of a sword. Now that you know which you are, focus on training instead until the next hero is unveiled from their slumber. Most of them are right under your gaze, Master, but that is all I am permitted to say.

How do I train?

Seek the guidance of a someone who has walked this planet for thousands, and thousands of years. Seek the guidance of a someone who was a mentor, and responsible for time unravelling and splitting before his very feet.

That’s vague, Holy Hylia.

I do not have very much I can share with you, because you must prove your worth and weave the path by your own strength. If you believe you can take on the Servants of Demise and rescue whom you have lost, you must show me you have the skill to reach such a goal.

Fine, fine.

He told Fi of what he just learned, and she nodded, taking all of it in. Her face began to darken. “I believe we should look in the country of Lost Woods. It holds legends of once immortal children and other creatures lurking there, though now it is said that they died out or lost their immortality to time but...it is our best chance.”

Legend drew in a deep breath. “Yeah, okay. I’ll send a prayer to the goddess before we leave. Fi, please tell my father what is happening.”

“Yes, Your Highness,”

Fi left and Warrior followed Legend to a Goddess Statue, kept around to pray, and honour the Goddesses. It was steeped in water, at Hylia’s request, even though the Princess of Wilds detested such a thing. The prince stepped in the frigid water anyways, stepping closer to the towering statue and knelt in it, clasping his hands together. He heard Warrior stop walking, watching adequately.

“O Goddesses of ages long past, as you have foretold, evil lurks in our kingdom and has stolen away our Queen...my mother...I have taken up my duty to act as a hero in these times and I ask that you lend us your blessing as we venture out to save her,” He murmured to the statue, hoping his words would reach beyond the skies and up to the heavens.

Silence met his ears. “Please,” He begged.

Suddenly light flashed in his eyes, a beam of light that surged down towards Warrior and Legend could no longer seem him. Panic fluttered in his heart as he rose to his feet and called for his knight. He gained no response but the bright light faded after a bit, like it had never been there in the first place. He saw Warrior look dazed momentarily, his eyes flashing with shock. “Warrior!” The prince shouted, running quickly over, worried.

“Legend, I...I think I might be one of the heroes we need.”

There was a beat of silence.

“What the fuck? What do you mean?”

“I, that light. I saw a figure in it and it spoke to me, telling me to go seek the Sword of Eras...Called me “Master””

Legend grabbed Warrior’s arm and ran, hurrying back inside the castle despite the knight’s confused protests.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The prince watched Warrior replace his old sword with the Sword of Eras, a blade that didn’t glow, but still rang true like any of the other swords.

You are losing time, Master. I advise quickly informing Fi or the King before heading on your way.

Warrior seemed to have the same idea, the two hurrying and running into Fi, telling her of what had just happened. Fi’s almost crystalline eyes flickered with something unreadable and she just told them to hurry. Hurry, they did, rushing to a boat-ride, that had been arranged for Koholint’s royals but apparently they had gone a different way. All Legend could think about was how he’d be trained, wondering if he actually could turn into someone bold and strong. Warrior was quiet the whole way along, keeping his thoughts to himself and occasionally turning his sacred blade in his hands. The sword was a valiant broadsword, hilt made from gold, and the Triforce engraved in its silver blade. The prince’s thoughts trailed to all the other heroes he might find. Would they need training as well? Most likely. If so, this would be a time-consuming endeavour, and he wasn’t sure they’d get to Sun in time.

He had to try, anyway. What kind of prince, nonetheless hero, doesn’t doing anything about it?

But he had a feeling they wouldn’t just be relying on the heroes’ strength. It was no coincidence that, Warrior found out his identity, that way, just after Legend had pleaded with the Goddesses. He had a strong feeling, that they were on his side.

The water grew ever murky as they approached the Lost Woods. It was covered in thick mist, and distant giggles echoed throughout the area. The boat stopped abruptly. “We’ve arrived, Highness.” The sailor on the boat said quietly.

With wariness, he stepped out of the boat and stepped onto land, into the creepy fog. The giggles grew loud and piercing in his ear and he suddenly felt like he was floating, his vision an endless white. When the white faded from his vision, he landed in the middle of nowhere, though his surroundings were clearly a forest. He was alone now. Whenever he tried to walk a certain direction, the mist would send him back to the same spot. “Whoever you are, I’m a friend not a foe! I wield one of the legendary swords!” He called out.

He gained no answer and he thought for a moment. He decided to try and follow the giggles, even though they sounded like they were all around him. After a bit of trial and error, he was able to walk further, and he saw a torch, lit with bright orange flames and the embers pointed a certain direction. Hopeful, he hurried towards it, knowing that the embers surely must point to the right direction. Though his legs suddenly grew weary, and the mist felt like it was burning his lungs and he couldn’t breathe. Growing suddenly very lightheaded while wheezing softly, trying to catch his breath, he extended his hand to reach the torch but his legs buckled, and he fell to the ground, with a hard thud.

He blinked slowly, trying to stay awake because he knew something was wrong but it proved to be a challenge.

“Legend?”

The voice sounded familiar, and it was soft and worried. He saw a blur of grey and yellow in front of him and he wheezed some more, trying to get air in his lungs. “Hey, hey, talk to me. What’s going on?”

Legend’s vision grew dark, before he could utter a single word in response.

~~~~~~~~~~

Waking up was always a painful endeavour after succumbing to unconsciousness. When Legend opened his eyes after rousing, light stung his eyes. His lungs burned with a fire that made him want to curl up in a ball but he felt too weak to even attempt at doing so. Breathing was a challenge in itself, each shallow breath rattling his chest. His vision spun as he was shifted, and when his vision was cleared from its bright haziness, he was able to see that he was off the ground, being carried by something. He couldn’t struggle against the arms clutching him tightly but they felt warm and trustworthy. “Wha...” He slurred, a desperate attempt at speaking but it brought an onslaught of coughing.

“Don’t speak, please,” A very familiar, firm and strong voice spoke. “Can you sign?”

Legend blinked slowly and gave a slight nod. Knightly blue eyes started at him, concerned and he relaxed considerably when he realized it was Warrior who was carrying him. He hacked and gasped for air but it escaped his lungs at every single breath. This reminded him of being incredibly sickly during his childhood.

I’ve got some flowers for you, Little Legend,” Dad smiled tiredly, and held up a vase tucked with various get-well flowers.

Legend couldn’t move, far more tired than a five year old should’ve been, but he managed a small smile at his father before he coughed miserably. Dad had tears slowly pouring down his face all of a sudden. Legend frowned, but Dad faced him, still smiling. “It’ll be okay. It’ll be okay.”

“It’ll be okay, Highness. I think we’re almost to help,” Warrior assured.

He would’ve responded if he could but all he did was try to gather air even though the mist swept it away from his lungs. Soon the dreary forest turned greener and brighter and the haunting giggles disappeared.

“Who are those people?” A whisper, small and young.

“Intruders?”

“We should go tell the man.”

Legend shuddered slightly, because that sounded a little too creepy for his liking. “Wait!” Warrior called. “My friend is hurt. We just came here for help!”

“Oh, I think it’s safe everyone,” A little boy with a leafy mask covering his face, came out.

Soon, tons of kids with different shaped masks came out, seemingly staring at him and Warrior. “I’m Hestu,” The boy informed them. “I can take you to the man, old man Deku. He’s our guardian and friend.”

“That would be nice, thank you,” Warrior answered slowly.

Hestu led them to a tree, and opened a path inside where an old man sat, sleeping on his chair. “Old man Deku?”

The old man slowly woke up and curiosity sparked in his eyes. “It has been a long time since I have been needed by the same kindred as my own. What could you possibly have need for in Korok Forest?”

“My friend needs help, sir. When we came here, I found him passed out, and he’s been coughing and weak ever since,” Warrior explained.

“Ah, the Lost Woods does not take kindly to strangers. Its power has long faded by now, but those weak or prone to illness may be caught in its wrath...”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“The Lost Woods power used to be much stronger, and anyone who stepped foor in it and inhaled the mist would fall ill, be turned into a part of the forest, or suffocate such as your friend is supposedly doing now. However, that was years and years ago. As time moved on, the strong mist faded into more of a remnant substance that can only attack those who easily fall sick. I assumed your friend here is as such.”

“...So you can help him, right?”

The old man hummed, reassuringly. “Indeed. You have got him here in time. Had you been later, perhaps he would have suffocated to death. Now, he is no longer inhaling the mist and I have potions aplenty. Its effects are immediate so though he may feel better instantly, he will also fall asleep, slumbering for a few days so that the potion can do the rest of its work. Additionally, he will need some protection if you plan to venture out again, past Korok Forest.”

They had no choice but to trust the old man Deku, so the prince drank the red liquid, provided, the taste bitter and vile on his tongue, but his lungs cleared and he stopped coughing. He heard a sigh of relief before his vision grew black and he fell into sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~

He woke up slowly, refreshed for once. He was surrounded by tree, and Warrior sat nearby, relaxed a little. With Warrior, though, he was never fully relaxed, alert as was his job. However it was a bit weird to see him relaxed enough to be without his valiant blue scarf. “Warrior?” Legend blinked.

“Oh you’re awake...Wait, you’re awake?!”

“Am I not supposed to be?” Legend joked.

Warrior rolled his eyes fondly. “I just wasn’t expecting you to be awake, since the old man told me you’d wake up at least a day later.”

“Can’t keep me down for long.”

“So, you’re feeling better?”

Legend gave a nod and got out of the makeshift bed he was in. “We should head back to the old man. He might know where we need to go next,” Warrior decided.

“And you trust him enough that he can know who we are and what we’re doing?”

“I think so. He helped us, and if he truly has evil intentions, he would’ve done something already.”

“Okay...”

Legend followed his knight out of a tree and to another one where old man Deku sat, dozing lightly. “Hello?” Warrior said hesitantly.

Deku sat up and his eyes widened slightly when he saw them. “It seems your friend is already awake. What a pleasant surprise. Now, what is it you desire? Protection for the road ahead? Directions?”

“I was hoping you’d be able to help us. We didn’t come here just to explore, but because we have a very important duty to fulfill,” Legend explained.

“Oh?”

“I am Prince Legend of the kingdom of Hyrule, and this is my knight.”

The old man looked surprised, but friendliness still lingered in his eyes. “Well now, it has been quite some time since the Royal Family has been here.”

“Has it? Then...do you know of the Servants of Demise?” Warrior asked.

“Nay, but I know of Demise, and I know that he has—or had some followers.”

“Well, these followers have kidnapped the Queen of Hyrule, and are constantly trying to kill or capture the other members of the Royal Family. It wouldn’t surprise me if they stirred up trouble elsewhere,” Legend murmured.

“The Lost Woods does not house the Master Sword if that is which you seek. The last time I ever saw it was when the Royal Family had promised to take responsibility for it, taking it away. They promised to visit but I have not seem them since.” Old man Deku shrugged one shoulder.

Legend faltered. “I sincerely apologize on behalf of those who made that promise. To make one and never keep it...”

“Oh, the heart of youth. Do not apologize, please. The company of the Korok children shall be enough for this old soul, and I slumber too often to keep constant watch for others.”

“Alright, if you insist...The Master Sword—you said—we have no need of. We came because we’re in search of someone who...” ‘Seek the guidance of a someone who has walked this planet for thousands, and thousands of years. Seek the guidance of a someone who was a mentor, and responsible for time unravelling and splitting before his very feet.’ “...who’s lived for thousands of years and is responsible for unravelling and splitting time.”

“...It might be the Hero of Time you seek.”

“But he’s dead! He’s been dead for years now!” Legend sputtered and caught Warrior’s confused demeanour beside him.

“Nay, he is immortal, taking the form of a Shade. He is only described as dead, because that was his wish, to be not forgotten, but unbothered by new duties. He resides in the Kokiri Province on the other side of the Lost Woods, with his brethren. There, you shall find him, he who has split time and walked this earth for millenniums.”

“Oh wow...” Legend muttered.

“Well do you know a way there?” Warrior asked.

“Yes, but I do not have the strength to guide you there myself, so I shall send one of my Koroks, Hestu to take my stead. Along with this I shall gift you this mask, protection from the Lost Woods as you go ahead with your journey. As long as you keep it on, you shall not worry about the mist,” The old man explained.

“Would you like it back later?” Legend hummed, taking the soft mask and looking at it with a sense of wonder.

“There is no such need. Though I expressed that I did not need the Royal Family’s company...it would be nice to have. If this is a way to allow you to visit, then keep it for the rest of your days...Now, go forth Your Highness. May the Goddesses bless you on your journey.”

“Thank you.”

The two left the old man and found the little boy Hestu, who eagerly agreed to guide them through the Lost Woods. Legend wore the mask, and stepped out of Korok Forest. The mist no longer burned his lungs and he could breathe freely. As they walked through dreary woods, Hestu chattered happily, waving his maracas and singing sometimes. For a while, it was peaceful. That was, until there was the rattle of bones, a raspy whistle, and footsteps. Through the fog, piercing red eyes appeared and a skeleton came out (a Stalfos?) and swung its sword, the blade making impact with Warrior’s Sword of Eras. Hestu cried out and hid behind the prince, while Legend unsheathed his sword warily. He had little knowledge of sword-fighting, but he’d do what he had to. More skeletons popped out of the bush and attacked with brute force, Legend doing his best to defend Hestu and himself. He looked over to see that Warrior had a bleeding leg, and earned himself a nick on the face for his moment of distraction. He swung clumsily, but fiercely and managed to somehow fend off the skeletons.

The battle continued for what seemed like forever until the last skeleton fell to the ground, it’s bones sinking back into the ground. Legend immediately rushed to help his knight, letting Warrior sling an arm around his shoulder to steady himself. “You brought stuff to clean that up and bandage it, right?” Legend asked.

Warrior didn’t answer. “Right?” Legend said a little more frantically.

“I think so,” Warrior answered and pulled out a bag, rummaging through it for a hot moment. “Yep, I have bandages.”

“Let me use the water in this flask to clean that up.”

The prince poured the semi-cold water onto the knight’s leg who visibly winced. Legend muttered a gentle apology and then tore a piece of fabric from his pant leg to clean and press on the wound. Hestu, with dark green, short hair, and a leafy mask leaned over worriedly. “Those tutors taught you well,” Warrior chuckled a bit breathily. “I should be the one doing this though.”

“Shut up. We’re friends and even if I’m a prince, I’m never going to make you treat me like a superior.”

Warrior’s face flickered with something unreadable before he just smiled and ruffled Legend’s hair, who scowled back. Eventually, Legend tied the fabric against the wound and helped his knight up. They walked at a slower pace, but the three of them continued on anyway. The way through the Lost Woods was infested with skeletons and sometimes other creatures that had somehow survived all this time, and the prince slaughtered them with the guidance of his knight who was staying back and defending Hestu. Eventually they made it to what Hestu claimed was the entrance, but it was blocked by wood carved with a symbol. Legend knocked, feeling a bit wary. After a long moment, it slid away and they were met with children clothed in green, without the leafy mask. Kokiri. “Who are you?” A girl pointed with a glare. “We don’t accept visitors here like the Koroks do.”

“We’re here for the Hero of Time,” Legend tried.

The girl’s eyebrows raised higher than he’d ever thought they could go. Hestu peered out and nodded. “Old man Deku seems to like them, and told them where you were so...”

“We’ll let you in,” The girl decided. “Old man Deku’s never wrong about these things. The Hero’s Shade—we call him—is in that treehouse right there.”

The one she gestured to was larger than the other treehouses but the style was no different. It was also closer to the ground. “Thank you...also my friend here is injured—a puncture wound in his leg. I’ve done what I could with limited supplies but...” Legend trailed off.

“Trive!” The girl yelled.

Soon a boy came over. “What do you need, Vela? I just got a cool new slingshot and I wanted to use it!”

“Yeah, well, you’re our medic. This guy has a wound on his leg.”

Trive led Warrior away who only agreed once Legend insisted, and the prince went to the treehouse to meet the Hero of Time.

#linked universe #unique writes #royal link au #also also also #I made a map for the world of this au so IF ANYONE wants to see it #lemme know

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