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A bright light filled the room, accompanied with a soft voice. "Open your eyes Link." Unbidden, Link's eyes did open. Hissing softly as the light burned his eyes, he turned his head to the side. The water splashing against his cheek slightly before it began to drain. The voice repeated itself before the liquid drained the whole way. Link shivered softly as the warm water gave away to the cold air. His body felt like it was covered in spider webs as he sat up, his arms shaking slightly at the excursion they weren't used to. Blinking away the flashes formed by the light, Link looked up seeing a dark room. The only light behind from the blue and orange lights spread across the room, giving it the bare minimum light to see. In the corner there was a circular panel near what looked to be a blocked door. But something else caught Link's attention very quickly.To the left, not far by the bed Link was sitting up in, something formed in. Another person with a strange light blue aura around them, their body semi translucent. As the figure came into better focus, Link could see it was a male. Maybe late to mid teens, like him. Link could see some basic features and colors through the aura and see through form at where he was. Strawberry blond hair pulled back into a braid, hanging on and down his left shoulder, violet eyes, thin white scars littered his hands and face here and there. The weird form wore a red tunic, the skirt split at the middle for better movement, the sleeves short and off the shoulder. He wore a green long-sleeved tunic underneath the red one, a pair of tan pants, and brown boots with weird feathers around the top.Once the figure fully came into focus, he pressed his hand against his head. A soft noise of discomfort leaving as he rubbed his temple. Link sat there awkwardly until the two made eye contact. The figure's eyes widening only to narrow as he looked Link up and down. His expression growing more solemn he looked him over. Link, having already done his look, sat still besides the small tilt of his head. The figure's ears went down slightly as he looked back at Link's eyes. "Looks like you had a bad day." The figure's voice was a bit blunt, but not necessarily rude his eyes much softer then his tone. Link paused for a moment, just noticing the scars littering his left side. To which the figure huffed and came over, his footsteps silent against the floor. He settled by Link, leaning against the bed resting his arms on top. But not uncomfortably close. Link looked over, hesitant to speak at first. Thankfully the figure spoke again. "Lemme guess, your name is Link?"Link's eyes widened, as the figure's darkened slightly. Link nodded slightly. "Who are you?" He asked.The figure paused, tapping his chin with his hand as he thought. Looking down to the floor for a moment. Link wondered if he was going to speak at all. But he did after a minute, looking back up. "Well this might seem a little weird, but my name is Link too. But since that'd get annoying quickly, you can called me... Oracle for now." The figure-, Oracle shrugged slightly as he spoke. Link nodded accepting the response. Before the circular panel from earlier lit up in a blue light.Oracle looked over, his head tilting slightly. "You might want to go check that out. Might help you get out of..." Oracle paused, looking around the room for a moment. "well whatever this place is." Link lowered himself off the bed, stumbling slightly. Oracle moving near to support him in case he fell. "Hey hey, take it slow. You seem out of shape buddy." Oracle commented, a bit of snark barely covering the concerned tone.Link sighed but nodded. "Right." Waiting until he felt more steady before letting go of the rail of the bed. Before then beginning to move forwards, taking it slow. As Oracle hovered, literally hovered, nearby if Link's body decided it didn't want to do this and fell. Oracle didn't seem to notice his feet weren't touching the ground at the moment, and Link decided not to distract himself and mention it yet. It took a moment with the slow but steady progress to the panel. A werid rectangle device with a handle, the middle having a blue eye with a teardrop on it. Orange runes around it. Link paused, looking at the device."That's the Sheikah crest." Oracle commented, moving closer to see.Link tilted his head and followed, feeling a bit more confident in his ability to walk now. "The Sheikah crest?" Oracle looked over at the questioning tone."The Sheikan? They're a group of people, close to the royal family. That's their crest." Oracle explained, gesturing to the device. "How did you not know about that?"Link paused, looking back at the device. Stepping closer, his hand subconsciously reaching for it before he stopped himself. "I don't know but... it looks familiar. I can't remember where though.Oracle hummed, looking at Link significantly more concern in his eyes now. Even if none entered his voice. "Amnesia, it's where you can't remember certain things.." Oracle paused for a moment, before adding in. "Or anything at all sometimes. You might of sustained something traumatic, causing you to forget." Link paused, seeing the underlying worry lining Oracle's posture and eyes. But Oracle spoke again before he could mention it, looking back at the device. "Try picking it up. I don't think it's dangerous."Link nodded and let his arm cross the rest of the distance. His fingers wrapping around the handle and the panel easily gave away. Link pulled the device closer to him. Looking it over before a second panel to the right of the door light up orange. Oracle floated over, examining it for a moment. Before gesturing Link over. "What is it?" Link asked as he walked over, able to move faster now.Oracle tapping his chin again, thinking for a moment, specifically at the blue lit up circle in the middle around more orange runes. "I'm not sure, try using the device on it." Oracle suggested, floating back as Link stepped forwards. Letting Link move forwards and waving the back of the device over it. The circle flashing briefly before going orange. Oracle hummed. "Try the otherside, it's definetly reacting." Link nodded and tried the suggestion. This time the orange runes went blue and the light brown bars covering the door shuddered, a soft crack following. Link jumped, as Oracle looked over. The bars sliding away to reveal an opening. Oracle looked for a moment before glancing back at Link, chuckling slightly. Gaining Link's attention as he snapped his head over. "Yep, definetly a Link." Oracle teased with a small smirk.Link huffed slightly, stepping into the room. Oracle following him in. It was similarly dark to the other room, the same blue lights making it visible. Oracle floated over to some chests, looking at them. Link followed, crouching down and undoing the latches of the chests. Opening them to see a worn and slightly too small shirt and pants, plus some shoes that have seen better day. Link looked over them while Oracle snorted again. "About damn time. Imagine my surprise when I was suddenly in a room with a half naked guy." Oracle teased as Link shot him a glare. But slide them on as Oracle turned away."Alright, you're good." Link said once he was dressed. Oracle turned back around, giving a slight nod of approval. Then the two moved on, ignoring the crates since they couldn't open them yet. There was another panel for the door like the last one, and it worked the same when Link waved the device over it. The bars slide away to reveal another blinding light that made both of them shield their eyes from the sudden change.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Oracle was the first to recover, a relieved chuckle escaping him. Link's eyes readjusted and he could see the green and blue outside the shrine. Oracle landed back onto his feet and walked out, Link quickly following him. Looking around in awe with how bright and colorful everything was. Oracle turned around, a half smirk half smile on his face. "Welcome to outside Link. Get used to it, you'll be out here a lot-" Oracle paused as they approached the cliff's edge. Overlooking a green plain with a building in the distance, some ruins barely visible in the distance. Link paused as a feeling of wrong washed over him. Oracle seemed equally as crushed. "Oh no... what happened?" He muttered quietly, his voice barely audible.Link paused for a moment, this shouldn't look like this. He doesn't know what it should look like, but not this. "I don't know. Come on maybe we can find out." Link immediately started looking around for a way down. Noticing the destroyed ruins of a building and an person tucked into a shallow cave by a fire.But before he could move, Oracle put his hand on Link's shoulder. Making him pause and turn around, the touch featherlike and semi cold. "Now hold on. I know you just want to rush in. But we can't, we don't know what's out there. And if Hyrule looks like this," Oracle glanced around them. "then it's a bad sign. You need something to defend yourself first. Besides, we don't know if that man is friendly." Oracle added, casting a wary glance towards the person by a fire further away.Link sighed but Oracle seemed to know more than him. And it made sense. Nodding in agreement. "Alright, what can we use as a weapon?" Link asked, looking around. Oracle paused, before moving by a tree looking at something in the grass. Gesturing Link over."This, we can use this until we find something more sustainable." Oracle gestured to something on the ground. As Link stepped closer, he saw a brown object, like what was in the trees with the leaves."Um- What's that?" Link asked, picking it up.Oracle paused, looking at him dumbfounded for a moment. "It's-.... it's a stick..." Oracle muttered, his tone shocked.Link tilted his head, doing a few mock swings with it. "Doesn't seem that great."Oracle huffed, blowing a stray hair out of his face. Crossing his arms as he shot Link a mildly annoyed look. "It works better than your hands. I can assure you that." Link nodded, accepting the answer for now."So now we can head down. Right?" Link asked, obliviously eager to get a move on.Oracle sighed, sending his braid back over his shoulder with a flick. "Fine fine." Link nodded, pleased to finally get a move on, and started walking down the path to the person. As Link got closer, he could see it was an older man. Probably well into his years. He wore some worn clothes, mostly brown, torn at the edges. Oracle tilted his head, his eyes narrowing in suspicion while his ears perked up in alert. Link ignored Oracle's reaction, he seemed a lot more cautious then needed anyways. He's sure it's fine and Oracle was just overreacting. As he got a bit closer, he saw something cooked by the fire, it smelled great.Without a thought, Link crouched down to pick it up. When the old man spoke. "Excuse me, that's my baked apple!" Link froze, immediately straightening up. While Oracle immediately burst out laughing, hovering as he went off his feet. Link sent him a small glare, but strangely enough the old man didn't even acknowledge Oracle's presence."Sorry- I didn't mean to-" Link tried to apologize, holding his hands up. But the old man just laughed, a deep hearty laugh. Oracle calmed himself, shooting Link an amused look as he crossed his arms, a smirk on his face."Oh it's quite alright, I was just messing with you." The old man chuckled, resting his hands on his walking stick. "You may have it, you seem like you haven't had a good meal in awhile." The old man gestured for Link to help himself.Oracle shot Link a smug look. "Yeah, you're one of us alright. I don't know about the other heroes, their stories didn't say if they stole. But I know I do." Oracle elbowed Link in his side. Link was baffled at how the old man didn't acknowledge the ghost besides him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Link turned his head back over as the old man spoke. "Excuse me for being so blunt, but who may you be? It's been quite some time since I've seen another Hylian in these parts." The old man smiled slightly, putting Link at ease. While Oracle was still watching the old man with a cautious eye. Link dismissed it for later, he was probably overreacting anyways."My name's Link. Sorry again about that." Link introduced himself, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. To which the old man chuckled and dismissed it with a carefree wave of his hand. But, before anyone could speak further. The device Link had put on his belt upon walking out buzzed, drawing everyone's attention. Link grabbed it and checked the screen, Oracle floating close to watch over his shoulder. The old man leaning in with a similarly curious expression. The screen flashed and blackish blue filled the space, lighter blue outlining different sections, and a yellow dot flashed into existence in the middle of an area with a yellow arrow.Oracle's eyes narrowed as he looked over the device. While the old man smiled in what could be considered relief, which instantly gained Oracle's attention. "Well I'll be, that there is a Sheikah Slate. I haven't seen one of those in ages." Link tilted his head, not noticing the slightly relieved expression. While Oracle watched more closely than he did earlier but spared enough time to sent Link a 'I told you so' look. Before the old man spoke again. "You know, that mark is right about an old clump of rocks down that way." The old man gestured further down the path, the sight mainly blocked by the nearby forest. "Why don't you go check it out?"Link nodded, walking down the path. Oracle floating after him. Link waited until he was out of sight and earshot to speak to Oracle. "He didn't seem to know you're there." Looking at Oracle, as if he'd have an explanation.Oracle shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. But something's off about him." He twisted around slightly to look at the figure of the old man in the distance.Link huffed slightly, shaking his head. "You're overreacting, I'm sure it's nothing. He seems to want to help." Oracle sighed, but gave in. A contemplating expression on his face as he floated alongside Link. But he paused looking over at seeing the ruins nearby. Link also paused, looking over curious."Wait a second... I've heard of this place.." Oracle muttered, going back onto his feet and moving closer. Link followed, staying a small step behind as he stood besides him."What do you mean?" Link glanced in between the ruins and Oracle. Curious to what Oracle meant."This looks... a lot like how the Temple of Time was always described.. But it was destroyed ages ago." Oracle didn't look away from the temple, even as he spoke. Violet eyes looking over every feature.Link hummed, looking back over. Also feeling a distant familiarity and sorrow to the ruined temple. "Maybe someone rebuilt it." He suggested with a small shrug.Oracle shook his head, drawing himself out of the trance the ruins of the temple drew him in. "Yeah, that has to be it. Nevermind, let's just get going." Link nodded and started following the path to the dot again. Oracle sparing one last glance to the temple. "Careful, I see a few Bokoblins over there. Might be some other monsters too." Link nodded, acknowledging Oracle's warning.They continued down the dirt path worn into the ground, occasionally a stone from who knows how long ago being seen in between the grass. But just as they got near the treeline, a big blue blob jumped out of the ground. Link jumped back, subconsciously falling into a defensive stance without realizing it. While Oracle spoke. "That's a chu-chu, it's a normal one so that branch should take it down. They're weaker than they look." Link grabbed the stick Oracle insisted on earlier, silently thankful for the other's foresight. And went after the monster, hitting it with the branch. As the Chu-Chu slunk back, Oracle called out. "It's about to charge! Jump to your right!"Link jumped to the side, barely being missed by the large blob. Know that he knew what to look for, Link managed to hit the blob and dodge from the attacks. His body moving in a familiarity his mind didn't have. Until the Chu-Chu finally disappeared with a flash of purple dust. A bunch of similar blue but much smaller blobs falling to the ground. "What is this?" Link poked it with the stick, which looked one more hit from being snapped in half. Cracks running along the bark as some remains of the Chu-Chu stuck."Chu-Chu Jelly, it's not the rarest resource. But it's still not bad to have on hand. Especially for bases on potions." Oracle explained, watching as Link crouched down and picked one up. The Slate buzzing slightly, curious Link lifted it up and the jelly disappeared with blue lights and lines."It ate it!" Link held the Slate away from him. While Oracle sighed, rolling his eyes are he floated closer. Watching as a new part showed up, the jelly displayed in a slot."No you idiot." Link briefly glared at the insult, but Oracle ignored it and continued. "The Slate might be like a bag. It's displayed there, and you can probably get it out somehow." Link paused, moving the Slate closer again. Hesitating for a moment before tapping the symbol of the jelly, and a small box appeared, a rectangle within it saying 'Hold'. Oracle hummed, titling his head. "Well that's new. You're lucky, I always had to carry a bag on me." Oracle commented.Link looked at the Slate for a moment, before reattaching it to his belt. "Okay... I'll figure this out later. Let's get to that mark first." Oracle nodded in agreement.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Leaves crinkled slightly underneath Link’s feet as they walked down the path. Occasionally there was a soft tap of when his worn shoots hit the stones scattered around the area. Looking off to the side, at the temple not too far away, he could see orange mobs wandering around the area. Oracle also looked over, studying their movements for a moment. “So, what are those things?” Link asked, looking over at the more knowledgeable ghost.
Oracle huffed slightly, once again blowing some stray hair out of his face. “Bokoblins, they’re mostly pretty dumb. But they can be quite troublesome when in a crowd. There are different variations, some being stronger than others. But they mostly are easy to separate and take down one at a time.” Oracle explained, looking around them. Link followed his gaze.
They both paused for a moment, looking out at the forest to their left. Link moved closer to an edge, Oracle floating after him. “Woah, this place is big.” Link muttered quietly. Oracle landing back on his feet and moving to stand besides him. Over looking the expanse. A seemingly nostalgic expression on his face.
“The world can seem huge sometimes, whether that’s good or bad.” Oracle agreed quietly. “But honestly, between you and me. I think it’s nice. I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s a pain in the butt sometimes. But it sure beats staying in one place all the time.” Oracle smiled faintly, crossing his arms as he looked out at the expanse of greenery.
Link wasn’t sure how to reply to that. But he couldn’t deny he was excited to find out what was out there. “Okay, let’s keep going. Go find out.” Link announced, turning to his companion with a smile. Oracle looked over, his own smile growing a bit. Before he nodded as they went back through the path. The wind flying past them gently, the grass swaying and the leaves flying with it.
In the distance, Link saw a strange stone figure, the worn overgrown stones seemingly leading down towards it. He quickened his pace, curious what was down there. Oracle followed, though a bit slower behind him. It led down to a flat expanse, the stones more visible there. A set of stairs leading up towards the temple on their right. Infront of them a thing that looked to be made from the same thing as the stones below their feet.
Link tilted his head, moving near the stonework. Pressing his hands on the edge as he looked down in. It was empty, except the dirt inside of it. He turned his head back to Oracle. Who was keeping an wary eye on the Bokoblin in the distance. “Hey Oracle, what’s this?”
Oracle looked over, also walking over. His fingers brushing against the stone. “It’s a fountain, they typically have water in them. But it seems like this place has been abandoned for…. Ages.” Oracle looked around them again. His eyes catching something in the distance. “Hey, pull out that Slate again.”
Link tilted his head, but unclipped the Slate from his belt. Holding it so Oracle could see. Oracle looked at it, before glancing up at something in the distance. “I think I found what we’re looking for.” Oracle gestured over to a pile of rocks in the distance. Standing out compared to it’s surroundings.
“How did I miss that?” Link wondered aloud, looking at the now obvious pile of rocks infront of him. The fountain completely forgotten now.
“No offense, but you seem to miss a lot.” Oracle commented with a shrug. Unaffected as Link shot him a brief glare. Seeing Oracle wasn’t rising to the glare. Link moved forwards closer to the pile of stones. As they walked down the path, they passed clumps and pillars of stones. As they moved past the first two, two Chu-Chu’s popped out of the ground. Significantly smaller then the first one. “Okay Link, same principle.” Oracle instructed.
Link nodded and grabbed his stick, holding it reach. The left Chu-Chu leap forwards, Link sidestepped it and hit the Chu-Chu. Praying his stick would hold. One hit, two hits, three, the Chu-Chu fell with some purple mist. One down, one to go, Link thought. The other one leapt forwards. One hit, two hits, three, the Chu-Chu disappeared. Once the Chu-Chu was gone, the stick broke into two. Falling uselessly on the floor. “Darn it…” Link muttered.
Oracle moved to poke his head out from Link’s side. “Yeah, sticks aren’t that durable. Hopefully there’s something better out here somewhere.” Oracle sighed softly. “Just have to keep moving I guess.” Link nodded slightly.
They continued down, getting to a flight of stairs. Oracle noticing a skull shaped rock in the distance, along with a small camp of Bokoblins. But he didn’t mention it, seeing the stairs curbed to the left. Link continued down the flight. Moving off to the right once they reached the bottom. “Careful, there’s two Bokoblins over there.” Oracle nodded towards a duo standing on a hill. “If you stay a few feet away, they shouldn’t see you. But be careful.” Link nodded, continuing down.
The grass rustled slightly, as they approached a sliver of dirt between two large puddles. A few larger stones embedded into the ground as they approached the hill with the weird clump of rocks. Link’s feet tried to slip a few times as they climbed up the hill. Link’s eyes finding a similar panel to what was back where he woke up. Oracle tilting his head as he noticed it too. Link approached, Oracle watching over his shoulder. Link waving the Sheikah Slate over it. The ground immediately started shaking and rumbling.” “What did you do?!” Oracle looked around them.
“I don’t know!” Link tensed, stepping back.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The rocks fell from their positions, opening to reveal a small passage in the rocks. Oracle stepped out from behind Link. Cautiously stepping into the small space. Looking up around him. Reaching out his hand to brush against the stone of some kind of structure. “This… this is the same stone from before.” Oracle muttered softly.
Link cautiously stepped in behind him, seeing another pedestal like before. Also looking to see a similar design from before. “Should I go for it?” Link asked a bit hesitantly. Oracle looked around them again, before hesitantly nodding.
“Go for it I guess.” Oracle confirmed, stepping aside so Link could reach the panel. Link took a deep breath, stepping forward. Seeing a carving in the pedestal that fit the Sheikah Slate. Hesitantly, Link put the Slate into the slot. The pedestal taking the Slate and turning it upwards so the werid part faced up. The raised part turning counter-clockwise before sliding down into place. Oracle and Link watching with curious gazes as the pedestal flashed orange.
The Slate showed a message on the one part. “Sheikah Tower activated?” Link read aloud, sending Oracle a curious glance. Who seemed just as confused.
Oracle seeing as another message appeared. “Watch for falling rocks?” But then something flashed blue, the ground underneath their feet shaking again. Shaking so badly that Link fell onto the ground. Oracle quick to lose his balance as well. Quickly sitting back up, Oracle watched as the stones fell away. The tower flying up into the sky. Oracle’s braid and Link’s loose hair waving in the wind. Ascending into the clouds. Oracles eyes widened as Link’s mouth dropped open as he sat up as well. The tower’s engraving turning orange.
“Are… you okay?” Oracle asked a bit stunned. Link nodding. Getting back up as he looked at the pedestal. Oracle got up, once more looking over his shoulder. The Slate displacing another message. “Distilling local information..” Oracle muttered softly as he read aloud.
Link looking up as the stalactite like stone glowed with weird marking. “What the heck are those?” Link asked as the flowed down into the tip of the stalactite which had an eye symbol on it. The same one on the Slate and the supposed Sheikan symbol. Assembling into a teardrop dropping into the Slate. Passing through like it was water. The Slate hummed, the half circles around the eye unlocking. Going back to the blank page with the yellow dot. Now showing a hut like marking on it. A portion flashed and filled in.
Oracle stepping forwards as the Slate unlocked. Taking the device into his own hands for the first time. Watching as the portion filled out. “It’s a map… Link, this is your map.” He gave the device to Link. Who took it, looking over the area for a moment.
“Regional map extracted.” Link said a little breathlessly, completely in awe. But he saw that most of them were still blank. Oracle meanwhile walked over near the edge. Looking out around them.
“Woah…” Oracle muttered, the wind blowing his hair in the wind. Link looked over, walking over to stand besides him. Scowling slightly as his hair flew into his face. Grabbing the misbehaving strands, he looking out to see what had Oracle so surprised. Seeing the land looking back at them, it was huge. Bumps and ponds in the expanse below them. Mountains in the distance. And a castle with a black and pinkish red mist swirled around it.
“Hey Oracle, what’s over there?” Link asked, gesturing over to the castle. Oracle looked over. His eyes widening then narrowing in suspicion.
“That’s… Hyrule castle. But something’s not right. The only time I saw anything like that was back in…” Oracle trailed off, frowning in thought. Link looked over, trying to figure out what Oracle was about to say.
“Back where?” Link questioned. But before Oracle could answer, a voice called out. Making both of their heads snap over.
“My, my... It would seem we have quite the enigma here. This tower and others just like it have erupted across the land, one after another. It is almost as though...a long-dormant power has awoken quite suddenly.”