Legend of Zelda: Book of Mobius

Reading something. —Remembering something someone “said” or did.— Thinking Sensing something ‘Reno hearing something from far away’
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Link pulled the bull he’d ridden from Dolstrol to a grinding halt before the open gates of Kakariko. The beast made a moaning cry of exhaustion, body trembling and blowing beneath the lanky body. The teen had pushed hard to make it back to Kakariko in five days. He’d barely given the bull or his weary body rest, opting to down the red potions to keep moving. The blonde slid from the uncomfortable wooden saddle, his thighs, lower back and buttocks cramping in protest.

The spotted bull groaned once more, large head hanging low to the ground. The muscles along the thick body twitched and gave weak spasms. The great sides heaved, rough coughing every other breath causing it to shudder. Dust stained lather dripped from the joints and the teen didn’t hide the look of disgust as he swigged the rest of the last red potion.

He’d returned victorious and needed to report his success and gather any rewards. Reno had run ahead that night, beating the blonde to the city, he was sure. He strode towards the gates, recognizing the men on watch but unable to recall their names. Of course they would recognize him, how could they not? He was near legend by now! He racked his brain for names, figuring it was the least he could do.

“Barak, ‘Lender.” He called in the way of greeting before gesturing to the slowly collapsing beast. “Either of ya want that?”

“You’ve broken it.” Barak pointed out bluntly, eyes hard as he watched the approaching teen. “Not good fer much than a butcher knife now.”

Link scowled, feeling as if he were being scolded. “I’ve important news ta deliver. I’ve no mind ta care fer tha beast. Do whatcha will, but be quick.”

“What happened to tha horse, Mikau?” ‘Lender asked, a frown touching his brows.

“Unknowns ate it.” Link replied as he brushed past them both, ignoring the dubious looks that followed him. His blue gaze flicked towards the train station, barely caring to note the foundations that had been laid before he’d left had developed into roofs and half constructed walls. He entered the fray of the market, taking in the curious looks thrown his way. The blonde nearly swelled with pride.

Of course they would look at him, admire and move from his path. He’d taken down a moblin siege, cured a plague and saved the Gorons! The Unknowns recognized him on the field. The thief could see and feel them watching him wearily, but not daring to attack. Link would have chased them down, but had erred on the side of haste. He’d needed to get back to the city, for a decent meal at the very least.

He paused at a stall displaying fruit, his growling belly demanding sustenance to tide it over. He plucked an apple, inspecting it while he listened to the crowd. They were talking of his last exploit from Narein, musing over the new alliance with the Gorons. However, they mentioned Viscen being the collaborator.

The urge to turn and clarify was hindered by the fact of rational thought coming to a screeching halt. Anger burned in the teen’s veins, the emotion surging along his arm into the clenching hand. The apple burst through the hooked fingers, juice and flesh flecking on those nearby. The townsfolk pulled away in shock, the thief turning and stalking away, ignoring the indignant cry for him to pay from the stall owner.

How does Viscen get credit for my work?! I nearly died in that blasted mountain and everyone sings him praises even though he didn’t even breathe in that direction! He fumed, long legs eating up the distance to the mansion. The milling shoppers veered from the thief’s path without even knowing why. I’ll be damned if those Sages think they can let the people believe this trash!

Someone’s in a snit. His inner Monk mocked, but the thief prudently didn’t rise to the bait. Arguing with himself was only going to enrage him more.

He burst through the double doors, ignoring the guard’s orders to halt. One grabbed onto his arm. Link reacted on instinct, grabbing onto the wrist and throwing the body over his shoulder. The watchman landed with a grunt and the thief turned, eyes shooting daggers at the other man.

“Can I help you?” He asked coldly.

“Sorry, Mikau. We didn’t recognize you.” The older man held up his hands in a placating gesture, taking a step back. The blue eye twitched and the corner of the thin lips lifted in a sneer and directed the nasty look to the man climbing to his feet.

“Best think afore ya grab a stranger, then.” He growled. “I may forget myself and run ya through next time.”

He stomped past them, moving up the stairs to Chris’s laboratory. The other guards gave the teen a wide berth, their brows furrowed in wary confusion. This wasn’t he even-tempered boy they remembered, but no one really wanted to find out what took his place.

Link thundered through the laboratory’s entrance, scanning the room for someone, anyone for him to let his temper loose on. The hard sapphire gaze fell on Tris, her slender back towards the teen, the sunset colored wings folded. The woman turned, the brows drawn in bother over the dark eyes. A smile lit her face when she saw Link, pushing away from the counter to greet him.

“My favorite thief! It’s good ta see ya well.” Tris exclaimed, voice thick like honey on the teen’s ears.

“You too.” The long ears flushed and he felt a foolish smile spread across the narrow face. The anger faltered beneath the long-held crush. He cleared his throat feeling somewhat off balance as he scanned the room again. “Where’re the rest of the Sages?”

“Probably on their way back. Heyla, lookit yer clothes!” She tsked as the brown eyes took in the state of his gear. “Go git outta them. I’ll have them cleaned. Ya’ll hafta sand yer armor yerself, though.”

“I need a stronger dose of potion…it’s losen’ its kick.” The thief informed the woman before dropping the glass flasks on the bench. Tris made a sound of acknowledgment, not surprised that he was gaining a tolerance for the latest batch. She’d upped the dose last time after a note from Narein about Link’s condition.

Link was bustled behind a screen without much ceremony, a pair of breeches and a shirt on the chair beside a bucket of water. The teen sighed, dragging off his weapons and armor, tucking it in the pack and attaching the shield. He dumped the leather breeches, tunic and shirt into the basket. Wincing, the teen wiped down his body. It was the closest thing he’d had for a bath in near two weeks.

“Scrub and wet yer hair. I need ta trim it again.” Tris ordered, her shadow moving against the white paper screen. Link grumbled, but complied. The buttery locks were still dripping as he donned the clean clothing and walked into the open holding the latest crest. He dropped it on the table, eyes locked on the moth-Shifted.

Tris stood on the balcony, the wind tugging at the auburn curls in their tail. She smiled at the coltish boy, the bandaged hand patting the chair lightly. Link walked over, eyes on the view of Crow Bait Lake at her back. He settled into the high backed chair, still looking at the still black waters until Tris gently guided his head forward. She tied a towel around his neck, combing the soaked locks.

The scissors rasped and snipped, damp clumps plopping on the floor. It was a nice feeling and Link found his mind wandering towards dangerous subjects. He didn’t want to think, didn’t want to come up with more questions instead of answers.

“Everyone in the town seems ta think that Viscen is behind everything I’ve done.” The blonde blurted. He winced, noticing the childish pitch as the fingers plucking at his hair paused. Anger pulsed and he felt his face color for a completely different reason than Tris playing with his hair. The beat of silence was suddenly uncomfortable. “Y’all want it that way.”

“Now, don’ go jumpin’ ta assumptions.” Tris replied, sounding vaguely harried,

“No jumpin’ involved.” He growled, knowing he was right. “A tiny step an’ there they were.”

Tris sighed, continuing with his hair. “Don’ be like that. It’s to protect ya. If everyone knew who wuz goin’ around bein’ a hero, Ganon wouldn’ hesitate ta take ya out.”

The blue eyes closed, pain settling in because though they were supposedly taking steps; Ganon still knew he was the one doing all the work. Even if it were for his ‘protection’, he didn’t like the old watchman getting all the recognition. He wanted tribute for all his work. If he was just going to be in the shadows, he wasn’t doing another thing for the Sages.

At least Ganon’s not stupid enough for fall for that. He’s treating me like a threat as he should. The teen thought, irony thick on his tongue.

“I dun like it.” He groused after a few seconds of steady cutting.

“I’d rather you safe.” Tris countered with a gentle tug at his hair. The blonde flushed and couldn’t think of a reply. “Yer our secret weapon, Link. I’m taking more off the back. Ya start ta look like a girl with the tail.”

Link grunted in concession, emotions warring inside him. Everything seemed out of his hands when a Sage got their hands on him; even his haircut. He had a sneaking suspicion that he was being played. If he could see the guilty tilt of the dark eyes over his head, it would have confirmed them.

The poisonous woman didn’t give him a chance to see the discomfort she felt in manipulating him. She kept repeating silently that it was for the greater good. She would rather the filcher safe and anonymous was no lie. However, his actions were far from secret from the Dark King Ganon. The moth-Shifted shook the troubling thoughts from her head gently and finger combed the cut strands from the golden wisps.

“There.” She murmured, pleased with the effect as she set down the scissors and picked up a circle of highly polished silver. Tris handed it to Link as she whipped the cloth from the thickening shoulders. “Whatcha think?”

Link stared at his reflection in the polished silver as he stood. The image in it was eerily like the picture from the mansion. The discrepancies had been easily discernable before but had disappeared along with his tail. His bangs had been unruly and thick, where the other had swooped across the brow to the left. The back had been clipped carefully short and shimmered in the sunlight.

Irrational anger burned, his fingers whitening and creaking as they tightened. The teen turned and pitched the offending item far, watching it disappear. Tris made a sound of dismay, the towel slipping from her fingers as she whirled on the teen.

"Link!" she snapped before turning back and leaning over the railing, belatedly remembering the towel. The woman scowled alternately between ground and sky before giving the blonde a confused and injured look. "Whatdjya do that fer, then?"

He gave a half-hearted shrug as he turned away, unsure how to explain the feelings that were welling up inside him. How could he say that it reminded him of a picture that looked like him? That he didn't want to see his face because it reminded him of things he couldn't quite grasp?

The teen was saved from having to dredge up an answer as the doors swung open. Errol and Monk stepped through, heads close together as they spoke quietly.

"I still don't see how you can be so sure…" Errol faded off as the gray gaze flicked up and landed on the hesitating blonde. He grimaced and sighed, throwing a look back. Monk gave a grin and the man grunted and didn't reply. "Welcome back, boy."

"How did you enjoy your first siege?" Monk asked with a smirk. Link felt a frown tug at his lips. Of course Reno told them, he'd gotten back first and would have already reported. It still irked him.

"Did tha old man miss me?" He taunted.

"Oh, you know it." The taller man affirmed with a nasty gleam in the clear blue eyes. "What happened to the horse?"

"Unknowns ate it." The teen ground out from clenched teeth, blood pounding at his temples. Of course he knows what happened to the bloody beast! I know Reno would have told him! "Where's Houlihan?"

"Can't trust you with anything, can I?" the old man snickered, causing Link's long ears to flush. Errol cleared his throat, cutting off the biting remark that played on Link's tongue.

"Chris is in the garden playing with something or other. He wants to see you. We have your next destination." The Mayor nodded to the worktable. The thief glanced in the direction, a little surprised to see a letter in a small clear space among parts. "From Narein."

"Why does he want to see me?" Link grabbed the smudged envelope and tucked it in his pocket, not recognizing the fluid handwriting. “I just git back an’ y’all’re ready to send me off again?” A frown touched the long face. “Where?”

“Trohsten.” Errol answered.

“The Yards?” The blonde couldn’t help but echo, pale brows shooting up in surprise. His mind faltered at how the Shift could have transformed the factory city. He remembered the sudden flux of clockwork Unknowns on the Plains and in Dolstrol. Cripes…I bet they’re being mass-produced there! Like bloody hell I wanna go anywhere close! Voice suspicious as his scarred, calloused hands curled to fists to fight off rising dread. “Why there?”

“The text is deciphered and you must speak to Chris about what it holds for you, Hero.” Monk replied with a vindictive tone, as if he could sense the teen’s swelling reluctance. The hated nickname caused the filcher’s thoughts to jump tracks from reluctance to fury.

“I’m not going a curst place till I read that bloody book!” Link snapped, hand slicing through the air in a gesture of demand. “I’m not gonna heel just cause ya snap an’ point!”

“It’s a miracle! I do believe you are trying to think for yourself!” The bald man mocked, smile growing sharp and cruel as the blonde bristled. “You would not be alive but for me, be a good boy and do as you are told.”

“So ya send me off to end what ya saved!” Link shot back. He wasn’t going to be shamed into anything from someone who saved him for convenience sake. “If yer so curst good, why ain’t you tha damned hero?” The lanky teen growled, taking quick steps towards the scowling man before Errol moved as if to grab the blonde. Link halted, but gave a feral smile at the careful lack of expression on the bald man’s face. The thief’s stance relaxed, a smug look erupting over the long face. “But ya aren’, are ya? Yer not good enough, wind bag. You need me and it pisses you off.”

Monk didn’t answer right away, being the one unbalanced for once. Link latched onto the vulnerability like he would at any boss battle. He didn’t bother addressing Monk anymore, deeming the man no longer worth notice, turning instead to Errol and crossing his arms over his chest.

“I want the Book in my room. I’ll get it with or without your help.” He demanded with a dark look, his threat not even veiled. They didn’t know what he was truly capable of. If they did, they wouldn’t dare cross him to begin with. Errol’s face tightened and he gave no sign of compliance, but it was pointless. The teen smirked, knowing he’d won. The blonde turned and walked to the door, swinging the door open and stepping into the hall.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to work with me instead of against?” He mockingly threw over his shoulder before letting the door click shut.
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Link trotted down the stairs in a better mood than before. He ignored the wary looks the watchmen shot in his direction. Their opinion didn’t matter to the teen, so he merely basked in his victory. It’s about time they realized who’s in charge. They’ll not hold me back! I’ll lead the Sages to victory!

The coltish teen almost hummed in pleasure with the scenarios playing out in his mind. He was reveled after a glorious victory over Ganon and returning to Kakariko. Everyone knew of his deeds and valor, throwing celebrations in his honor.

He strode out the side door and into the gardens as he imagined the people begging him for his leadership. His fantasies faltered as he noticed Reno sitting in a flowerbed and watching Houlihan tinker with a metal sphere that looked the size of a kickball. The crazy man was muttering to himself, engrossed in his work.

“Oi-ya!” Reno cried in greeting, leaping up and scurrying across the lawn to jump onto the teen’s shoulders. Link grinned and teased the bottom of the long jaw gently.

“What’s Houlihan doing?”

“It is done!” Chris cried, standing up with his arms thrown wide and face towards to sky. His proclamation failed to shake the heavens, but it caught the blonde’s attention regardless. The green and lens locked on Link, a silly grin touching the long face before he pointed dramatically at the thief. “My apprentice! A tie binds us! It speaks in nothing as sodden as words, but emotions! Your heart aches to perform the task I have waiting!”

Unable to form a coherent sentence, the thief could only let his jaw drop as he tried to comprehend the string of sentences. The mad man wasn’t finished, gesturing grandly to the sphere at his feet. He took exaggerated, dancing steps towards Link.

“You always return more willing than you left. I heard that you regretted your action of refusing my last tool. Never fear! I will never leave you wanting again, dear apprentice!” The large, grease stained hands thumped the teen on the shoulders solidly. It took a moment for the teen to realize that he’d grown a few inches. Still at a loss for a reply, the curly-headed man guided the boy towards the inconspicuous looking object. “I am but a servant to the cause, my very thoughts driven on how to make the quest successful. The answer lies in the essence of the daylight, yes! Of life itself!”

Chris stopped and pressed the teen’s shoulder to make his silent order ‘stay’ understood before grabbing the sphere from where it rested in the dirt. He tucked his nails along the sides and the object let out a hiss, handles releasing. The smiling man motioned and Link took the strange contraption in his hands. Reno jumped from his shoulder and Link shot the boy a dirty look. It was obvious that the fox wanted nothing to do with whatever Link held.

My friend. He groused silently before turning back to the taller man. He was sure that Houlihan would get the point eventually. “What’s this for?”

“Patience my boy!” The large hands waved grandly, a giddy look on the man’s face. “This is a Paradox Converter! It links this world to another dimension where the celestial dwell and life is birthed! The whispers of the divine must awaken the blade!” he paused a moment before adding, “Or so I’ve gathered from the book.”

“You’re talkin’ gibberish Houlihan.” Link pointed out in exasperation, shifting the sphere to brace it against a hip. “You’re a man of science, not magic.”

“Magic works with the realm of possibility, hero. It has rules, limitations and can be hindered by a mind that is closed. Building something from scratch with only your imagination is beyond your grasp, just as sword fighting is beyond mine.” Monk lectured from behind Link. Chris was frowning as he made the blonde hold the Converter in two hands once more. “Boundaries of the mind no longer hinder and you have a way to return the power to the blade.”

Unnerved but unwilling to appear afraid, the teen steeled against the urge to take a step away. A frown creased the blonde’s brow after he deciphered the words. “What’s wrong with my sword?”

A fleeting smile graced the long face and Chris took a step back, twiddling his fingers at the Converter. “Quick! I want you to try it! Twist the handles; right clockwise and left counterclockwise.”

“Tell me why I have to go to the Yards, first.” Link insisted, face set in stubborn lines. Chris looked disappointed, folding his arms over his thin chest in petulance.

“To give your blade power. It isn’t charged with the divine light. It’s just a tool, nothing more. You need it up to full strength to finish your task.” Monk told the teen, knowing Chris would pitch a fit before getting his way. The bald man just wanted to get the experiment over with. “Your secondary mission is to save a Zora engineer that went there for parts.”

“Why should I go help a Zora. Isn’t that Viscen’s job?” The blonde grumbled, hackles going up at being responsible for another creepy species.

“Viscen is currently escorting the children from Dolstrol across the plains. Whose, pray tell, job was that?” Monk asked while he inspected his large, dark hands.

Disconcerted and embarrassed, the young man complied. The sphere hummed and whistled, steam exhausting and clockwork ticking from the metal innards. Azure eyes widened as the world shimmered and wavered before his eyes. Reno and Chris disappeared, a world of crystal clarity taking their place.

The edge of the cliff the Mayor’s Mansion was situated was fifty yards in front of him. The emerald grass waved in an unfelt wind. A lake of sapphire waters shimmered in the golden light, the wavelets capped with diamond froth. Silver clouds drifted across a cornflower blue sky, a glittering orb set in the sky above him. No scent or sound dwelled in the world of perfection.

Alarmed, he turned his head wildly. Something blurred over his vision, the object an eye searing pink. Whimpering, Link’s hand shot up and grabbed the offending thing. He winced, discomfort when his hand grasped it. Further upset, he dragged the item down, eyes widening as he recognized a rabbit ear. The next thing that came to his attention unhinged him.

His hand was a paw.

The same eye-smarting shade, tipped with claws. A keening emitted from the long neck, buckteeth curving over the non-existent lips. His little nose worked and he patted his body down, the Paradox Converter hovering without his help. Where a coltish teen had once stood, a lanky rabbit had taken his place.

“A WHORE IN CHURCH!” His voice was a higher pitch and slightly garbled.

The larger eyes were still the same cerulean, but he had a black nose framed by long black whiskers. The fur visible around the long sleeved shirt and breeches were varying shades of pink. The stubby, claw tipped fingers felt the narrow scull topped with long, floppy ears. Link yanked them wildly, panic taking over as he shuffled back from the Converter.

The world shattered after a step, the teen falling on his backside and scooting away from the cursed sphere as the world arranged itself into the one he’d left. Reno was staring at him and Chris had a smug look on his mad face. A panicked check ensured that he was very much human.

“What tha bloody hell was that!” Link yelled and slapped his hands on the ground in a flash of temper, fisting his fingers in the thick grass. “I was a rabbit!”

“I was a squirrel! I had a big bushy tail and everything!” Houlihan piped up with excitement. The grin that stretched over the long face gave proof on how much the man had enjoyed the experience. A long finger tapped the thin lip in thought. “I still feel an overwhelming urge to harvest nuts and to scold birds…you wouldn’t happen to have some walnuts, would you?”

He just let me go! No ‘Oh, by the way…’ or anything! Rage bubbled at the lack of warning. Jaw tightening till it creaked to keep from snapping at the man. However odd the man might be, there was only good intentions dwelling inside the crazed man.

“Did you expect to be a wolf, hero?” Monk droned behind the teen. The thief turned the scalding gaze on the tall, bald man. The dark blue eyes sparked with glee at the teen’s obvious discomfort. “You’re far too tender hearted to be such a fearsome beast.”

“Keep yer thoughts in yer head afore I make it ta where ya don’ have ‘em at all, old man!” The blonde snapped as he found his feet and directed his attention back to Chris, who looked perplexed. The green eye lit up with a sudden thought, pounding his fist into his palm.

“The Moon Pearl! I knew I was forgetting something!” Chris gave a cheerful smile and knelt to dig in the tool bag at his feet. He came up with a long, green hat. The teen bristled; not liking the direction the conversation was taking them.

“That’s no pearl.” He growled menacingly.

“I should think not. It’s a hat, lad.” Chris pointed out in a disappointed tone, as if he had sudden doubts about the boy’s intelligence. “The Moon Pearl is inside. For convenience sake, I assure you – not a ploy to get you in the hat.” The hurried and placating way Chris added on the last bit made Link doubt the validity. “It will prevent you from Shifting when you go into the other reality.”

“Why can’t I just hold it?” The blonde asked belligerently.

“Is the hero afraid of a hat?” Monk simpered behind him, earning a nasty look from the thief. The answering innocent expression made Link wonder if the comment had actually been in his head. Nevertheless remark had the desired effect, making Link realize how silly he was acting about a little headgear.

“I just hafta wear it fer a little bit, right?” He tempered after a moments thought and received a triumphant smile from Chris for his pains. The taller man stepped up the teen carefully and arranged the hat over the soft, gold strands. Link endured the ministrations for only a breath before slapping the large hands away. “I got it!”

His fingers brushed the bangs from under the cap, firmly situating the hem behind the longs ears. He ran his finger under the rim, making sure it was snuggly in place before giving a nod. It didn’t bother him nearly as much as he thought it would. It felt strangely natural. Of course, any witnesses to him wearing the blasted thing would forfeit their life.

He winced at the eager look Chris gave him as he handed over the Paradox Converter. The taller man took a few hasty steps back, hands nervously stroking one another under his chin. A deft twist of the handles plunged the teen back into the other dimension.

Letting the Converter hover, Link did a quick check to ensure that the Moon Pearl was working. Still human, the teen let out a relieved sigh and returned to Kakariko. Tucking the sphere beneath an arm, he gave a nod.

“It worked.” He informed the waiting men, reaching up to drag the hat off. The thief met resistance and paused as his flesh tried to follow the fabric. Warning tickled under his breastbone, fighting to keep calm as he gave a gentle tug. His fingers searched for the seam of the cover, unable to wiggle his finger beneath it. He growled a curse, turning on Chris. “What tha bloody hell is going on? I can’t get the curst thing off!”

“Very unfortunate.” Houlihan murmured, brows creased as he stepped close and began to yank on the long hat. Link yelped when his scalp protested, more concerned with making the man stop than getting it off. Chris finally relented, fingers fidgeting once more as he considered the boy. “The last hero had difficulties un-equipping the Moon Pearl once it’d been used. Most unexpected…I’d hoped that it wouldn’t cling if there wasn’t skin contact. Of course, I had no way to know it would work without it either. Really, I could have used it, but I didn’t want to be stuck with the hat if it worked.”

“Doesn’t anything you give me have warning labels! The teen roared and launched towards Chris with hooked fingers. Monk’s arms hooked under the blonde’s, effectively holding him back from chocking the tall man. The sudden contact shocked Link back to his senses. He didn’t go limp, but he no longer fought the man’s hold. It was just a cursed hat. No matter how ridiculous it looked, it didn’t deserve the fuss he was raising. “Let go, old man. I’m not going to hurt the fool.”

Monk’s arms slipped free and Link glowered at both men. Monk looked amused and Chris didn’t seem to notice anything strange, he had already turned his attention back to the sphere.

“I’ll leave at first light!” He informed them as he turned on a heel and stomped back towards the mansion. He winced when claws caught on skin as Reno scrambled up his back to the fox’s usual perch.
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An hour later, Link was rolling a barrel of sand with his mail inside for cleaning. Reno lay on his shoulder, four tails sweeping the teen’s back as he read from the Book. He started from the beginning, not stopping when it delved into politics, as per Reno’s request.

Reno only half listened, watching the blonde intently. Link’s actions were contradicting once more. Reno had heard the argument from Chris’s laboratory and couldn’t understand why the teen couldn’t hold his temper. Monk’s knowledge of the siege before Reno had even breathed a word of it was also curious.

Not to mention that Link had always preached anonymity for every job that was done.

He couldn’t help but wonder if Link was concerned that when Hask’s group arrived. They knew him as Shep and Viscen knew him as Mikau. The Gorons knew him as Shad. Did the thief forget that he made it a twisted knot to tie the deeds back to him by name alone? Surely he’d been aware of this and why he’d started it to begin with. What had changed?

It was those tiny details that were screaming at the fox’s instincts.

Reno wasn’t stupid. He couldn’t be to be a con artist or at least a successful one. He’d been on the road of being one of the best before the Shift. His instincts were more suited for conning than thieving. One had to see clues in behavior to know the next move, when to press and when to relent. It was all about seeing beneath words and behavior, reading unspoken intent and puzzling through the maze of facts and intuition blind.

For all the thief’s fuss about his own importance, he hadn’t hesitated to gather his own gear and lug it up to the spire. Link wouldn’t have even touched the Book if Reno hadn’t brought up the subject.

Reno mentally dug for connections and trails. His ears sorted out the conversations throughout the mansion, hoping to find more pieces.

‘He threw me without much thought.’ A male voice muttered in anger.

‘Mikau’s acting a bit different, that’s fer sure. He never acted above us before.’ Another male answered tiredly, the raspy shuffling giving proof to his discomfort.

‘I hear he’s leaving tomorrow. The sooner tha better, my thoughts. I might the boy ta show him his place.” A third growled, a sharp thud announcing an angry strike at an inanimate object.

The fox winced and twitched his ear lightly, switching to another conversation.

‘Little hero is getting above his station.’ Errol grumbled softly. A feminine sigh and the song of metal and glass wings shuddering accompanied the words.

‘He’s just growing into a man. You push him too much and he’ll make you regret it.’ Tris replied, sounding tired and distracted. The gurgling of fluid pouring into a glass container filled the silence. ‘I’ve known him most of his life. Jin raised the boy to be loyal to family and the Lower Levels. To suddenly have to help the Uppers probably gives him ideas. He’s no longer just a thief. He’s helping those who are above him, why shouldn’t he think they are indebted to him?’

‘Lower or Upper, this is bigger than Kakariko! The Dark Lord is spreading quickly—’

‘No more than before, Errol. He’s waiting for something. I feel it in my Shifted body. He plots, he schemes…but he is making no real effort to stop us. Ganon knows of our boy, yet he hasn’t tried a frontal assault. Why?’

An impatient huff sounded, but the gentle sounds of Tris brewing her poisons ruled.

‘He waits for the boy to move into his castle?’ Errol hazard a guess, but seemed more thoughtful than anything. ‘The boy is like a hound that will barely heel. If what Monk says is true, then the boy has destroyed three seeds to brew chaos. Why hasn’t Ganon acted?’

‘I never claimed to know the mind of a madman. I sense him, but nothing more. On my bad days, I actually fight his call and I’m barely Shifted. How must Reno feel?’

‘How can the boy read the ancient language? His grasp is far beyond Chris’s and he’s been studying his entire life.’ Errol grumbled, ignoring Tris’s musings. A snort met the end of the question.

‘Monk’s given you his thoughts on the matter.’ The woman replied enigmatically.

‘I’m more inclined to agree with the boy with that thought. Re-incarnation? How can memories follow one through innumerable years? Even if the boy was merely descended from the same bloodline as the Hero of Time, memories don’t follow.’ He scoffed.

‘It’s not your place to agree or not. It makes no matter, in any case. He can, he does and he will continue. Who are you to question what only the Divine could answer if they wish?’ Monk’s voice interrupted, sounding somewhat bored and tired.

‘I thought you hated him?’

‘Hate doesn’t make us need him any less. Everything is falling into place, just as predicted. If the boy doesn’t do something as stupid as dying, we’ll be fine.’

‘Then the world will go back.’ Errol said quietly, desperate hope lacing the soft words.

‘It won’t bring your father back.’ Monk pointed out.

Reno stopped listening, ears flat against his wedged skull. It took a moment for him to realize that Link had stopped speaking. It’d been a steady drone in the background before. The fox kept track of the growing threat of war to a nation several hundred, if not thousands of years, past. The discussion with a princess of possible marriage to a man decades her senior and whispers of unrest had dominated most of the writer’s pages.

“What’sh wrong?” Reno asked, pressing his wet nose into the teen’s throat lightly. The blonde jumped and cleared his throat, flushing a little in embarrassment.

“Uhh…nothin’.” The thief stammered, avoiding the violet gaze. Reno stifled a snort of annoyance. Link was a terrible liar.

I asked the hero why he’d tucked the Master Sword back in its pedestal after he defeated the Desert Prince. “Its job was done.” The boy answered. He seemed amused by my question and I had to prey to Nayru for patience once more.

“It’s your sword, is it not?” I asked. He shook his head.

“It belongs to the Hero of Time. It’s just a tool to fulfill a duty. A cook doesn’t carry around a knife after the meal is done. He puts it back in its holder and only picks it up to begin another meal.”

I cannot help but be surprised. That is the most I’ve heard the quiet boy say in a sitting.

“That aside, I couldn’t get that curst Moon Pearl to let me remove my belt till after. I’m lucky I had no pockets in my breeches.” The boy admitted with a wince. I was surprised and unnerved. I had forgotten the tales of the Moon Pearl affixing to the bearer so it wouldn’t be lost or misplaced. It made sense on why he never took off his gear, even in resting.

Link remained silent, staring at the pages as if they held the secrets to the world. Reno shifted his weight, feeling the tired tension in the teen.

“So tha hat will come off when tha deed is done.” The kit murmured, tails flicking.

The blonde grunted distractedly in agreement, still frowning at the book until he slowly shut it. The soft triangles twitched and the kit huffed in frustration.

“What wuzz tha proffasea?”

“Oh.” The azure eyes blinked, focusing on the barrel of sand still held by a foot. “The Hero sets forth to retrieve blade of Evil’s Bane/Resting where the lost dwell and time hath no hold/The Master Sword sleeps till its wielder has need/Awaiting to destroy what doth breeds in the Sacred Grove.”

The two remained silent, dwelling on the weight behind the simple words. Link shook off the spell first, moving to continue to clean his gear. The fox settled onto the nest of covers, trying to decide if the Sages were really getting their information from the vague writings of a book.
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OMAKE!!!

“Stop fidgeting with the it, hero.” Monk ordered.

“It’s in the curst way, old man! Let’s see if you could see with the damn thing hanging in your face!” Link snapped, sputtering as he huffed to knock the obnoxious obstruction.

“My, my. I thought you could handle it dangling.” The old man drawled, watching the teen flush with embarrassment. “If Viscen could see you now.”

“This wouldn’t have happened if I’d been warned!” He spat back, expression hidden by the floppy hat hanging in front of his face.

“I told you the hat was on backwards.” Monk smirked, unable to let the cocky blonde off lightly.
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A/N: I went camping and I started class. It’s hard to be creative when you’re learning Radar Range Equations.