Chapter Text
The first thing he saw was red.
His eyes snapped open, and his rage became free.
Unrestrained.
Lusting for blood.
He saw a great demon before him, the tune of dark magic and terror echoing in the kaleidoscopic room.
He growled at Majora, a monster he recognized from a life he could not remember. The creature raised it’s whip-like arm to strike.
The Fierce deity cut it down with hardly the flick of his hand, and it was over. He did not need to know the reason for his awakening. He did not need any sort of validation for destroying such evil.
He laughed, the sound distorted and cruel.
“I have been freed. Now I can become what I was always meant to be.”
Something tugged at him. He turned around, but there was nothing there.
Again. A gentle pull from within him. He could almost feel hands, small and strong, working beneath his skin.
Suddenly the world went dark, and he dissapeared with a frustrated roar.
He did not know how long he had been in the darkness. He did not know how long he had slumbered.
**********
The next time he saw light was in a great field. He heard shouts coming from all around him. He heard the screams of battle, and the clanging of metal. He took in the sights around him. It had been so long since he had seen the light.
“Sprite?”
He turned, peering down. His empty eyes met with sharp blue ones.
The deity said nothing.
This man, a man that he could’ve sworn he’d seen before, stood with authority and the mark of it aswell.
“Sprite, if you can hear me, make sure that big sword of yours doesn’t hurt any of our friends okay?”
The deity tilted his head, then peered out at the battlefield.
Monsters flooded the land, soldiers in silver fought and worked and pressed forward, holding a line in front of the castle.
“Hey!”
He looked back at the man.
“We need your help. The kid told me you could help, so get to it!”
He paused, then smirked.
His helix blade was summoned to his hand, and he charged into battle.
Oh how he basked in it. He swept through hoards of monsters like they were nothing more than flies stuck in a trap. He downed monsters the size of Majora, he slayed them in numbers unbelieving to the mortal ear.
When they had all been destroyed, he yearned for more.
He turned to face the line of soldiers.
Stop.
He gasped.
Stop your rage. These are our men. If you harm them they will never let you fight again.
The small voice in his head perplexed him. Where had it come from? Who had invaded his thoughts and taken such control of his heart?
“Where am I?” He asked himself.
You are on the great battlefield of Hyrule field. You sleep in a mask unless I need your power.
So he had been used.
Why wasn’t he angry?
Go back to the captain, see if there is anything else you can do to help.
“I do not help, little voice.”
You just did. And you loved it. I know because I’m right here. I’m smart.
The fierce deity did not know why, but the voice in his head made him feel something he had never felt before.
“Very well” he said, making his way back toward the castle.
When he arrived, the man called “Captain” was waiting for him. But he wasn’t alone.
The deity gasped.
A woman, clad in shimmering armor laid with jewels stood beside him. A circlet laced her forehead, and her face glowed with a radiance he had not seen in a mortal.
A memory. Old as the sun, and bittersweet tugged at the back of his mind. He knew this woman. Somewhere, somehow, in some life, he knew her.
But that life had faded.
The Captain looked at her, his previously stern facade melting into gentle protectiveness and fondness.
“Thank you” he said, “you saved many lives. I hope we meet again, but for now I’d like my boy back please.”
“Your….boy?” The deity said, looking rather puzzled.
He means me.
“How do I accomplish this?” He asked the voice.
The captain shared a glance with the woman.
“How do you accomplish what?” The captain asked.
I’ll take care of it. Just let me take over. Don’t worry, you will not sleep for long. Thanks for your help.
The god did not know what to think of this, but he felt calm. Something he couldn’t remember feeling before. His will diminished, and he felt small hands work at him again.
Then darkness.
**********
He woke to stars above him, and fire around him. Trees were scorching in the night sky, and there were cries for help all around him. When his mind regained focus, he could hear the voice within him tremble.
P-please. My brother. We are trapped here. He’s very hurt, and I can’t lift him. I’m sorry to have summoned you for something like this, but I didn’t know what to do. Please help.
It wept.
Fire and something he couldn’t name filled his chest. He felt his breaths quicken, and his brows knot together.
“Do not weep, little voice. Where is the one you call brother?”
He’s against that tree to our right. Please hurry, he’s badly wounded.
His eyes locked on the figure at the base of the tree. The blue scarf he had worn last time was still around his neck. The captain grimaced, and clutched his side.
Red.
The Fierce deity stooped, not knowing what he should do next. He was the cause of wounds like this, not a healer.
“What shall I do small one?”
Pick him up gently and get him out. Zelda will help him when we get home. Please hurry Fierce!
He did as he was told, the grass around them began to disapear, and the flames rose. He hefted the injured man into his arms and began through the flames.
The voice became muddled in all the chaos around them, and the warrior began to quicken his steps.
“F-fierce?” The captain breathed.
“You call me by that name. Why?”
Because saying Fierce deity all the time is annoying. I told everyone to call you that. Is that alright?
“Yes. That is a good name little one.”
He felt the weight in his arms collapse further. The small voice gasped and cried out.
C-captain? Captain? Link! Link, please wake up!
“He cannot hear you little voice. But do not fear. We are nearly out of danger. I will deliver your companion to the castle.”
A sniff.
Thank you.
Another foreign phrase.
After what felt like eons, they reached the castle. Guards and healers all rushed out to meet them. With gentle arms and tear stained cheeks, they came to him.
“Let me through” a voice, gentle and commanding at the same time rang out through the hall.
The one called Zelda rushed forward, taking the Captain’s face in her hands. She brushed ash and grime from his face with the pad of her thumb.
“Oh Link” she whispered, “please hang on.”
The little voice quavered and hitched.
It’s going to be ok big brother.
The deity did not understand.
He watched as someone took the captain from his arms. He watched as Zelda followed after, staying as close as she could.
And he did not understand.
“Why does she grieve so? Why do you?”
The little voice took a deep breath.
Seeing him hurt, hurts us too, in a way. Because we love him.
He paused. It was a word he had heard before, but he did not know the meaning.
“I do not understand that word.”
You will. One day.
**********
He awoke many times during the war of ages. He fought side by side many different heroes. He grew close to each of them, and over time he befriended the captain and his queen.
“Fierce can you tell the little ankle biter to quit stealing my scarf? It’s part of my uniform and I need it.” The captain jested.
Fierce grinned, “no promises captain. The little one says it looks better on us.”
Hehehe
Something bubbled in his chest when the little voice laughed. He enjoyed causing it.
The captain glared playfully at the towering figure before him, crossing his arms.
“Well then at least give it back before-”
“Link!”
The two men turned their heads.
The one they called Ravio raced toward them. His purple rabbit hood bouncing behind him.
The boy stopped in front of them and panted.
“It’s Zelda. She needs to see you.”
Before Ravio could even point to the castle, the captain was off.
Ask Ravio what’s the matter while we walk.
“Little hood?” Fierce asked, “what ails the queen?”
Ravio gazed up at him and sighed, a mischievous smirk playing across his lips.
Fierce knew that smirk.
“Oh dear.”
RUN FIERCE I DONT WANT TO MISS IT!
The deity cringed at the rise in time, but agreed. Without a word he scooped up the little bunny child and placed him atop his shoulders.
“H-hey!” Ravio complained. Fierce began to sprint toward the castle, and the boy clung to his shoulders for dear life.
He slowed to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. Ravio climbed down and scurried away, happy enough his task was completed.
Fierce returned his thoughts to the little voice.
“Do you wish to part here?”
To his surprise the voice simply said No.
“Do you not wish to council with them?”
I can see from here. But you can’t if I go away. I want to show you.
The Fierce deity was curious now, and allowed himself to press through the gates and down the hallways. The castle was a sight so magnificent it would’ve made the gods jealous. The stone columns, the statues, the marble floor. All luminous and strong, like the people within it’s walls. He felt out of place here, but so strangely at home.
Carefully, he opened the door to the voices home, which he shared with the captain.
Look.
Fierce watched through the crack in the door. He saw the captain pacing the room, a hand resting on his chin in thought. His usual armor had been removed, he was in his simple tunic, trousers, and boots.
Fierce marveled how a warrior such as the captain could look so very plain. There were footsteps coming down the staircase in the room. The captain held his breath.
Zelda flew down the stairs, her armor also absent. She was in a simple dress, and even her crown had been removed. She beamed and leapt into the Captain’s waiting arms.
Fierce felt a soft smile cross his lips.
The captain spun her around, the two beaming at eachother in a way he had never seen.
“You did it” she whispered, “it’s nearly over. All of it. Cia is gone Link. The monsters are retreating, and soon everything will go back to normal.”
He lifted her chin, “I couldn’t have done any of it without you. And goddesses above am I glad I didn’t have to.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him. He kissed her ever so sweetly. Fierce watched as she pulled away, setting her forehead against his.
This, the little voice said, is just one example of what love looks like. It has infinite meanings to everyone who has ever lived. This is a special kind of love. One that doesn’t need anything to thrive. This is their love, and it is just for them.
Fierce felt something in his chest bloom with warmth. But more than that was a longing, a desire to feel this way toward someone or something.
Do you remember when you rescued the captain? That fear and that protectiveness me and Zelda felt for him…that was love too. He is my brother, and I love him. Do you see how it is different?
Fierce nodded.
Good. Then may I return to them?
“Yes” he whispered, “thank you little one. I shall see you soon. Please tell the captain and the queen I say hello.”