Modern Legends: A Hero's Spirit

Prologue: Celia

When it was Link who came to Ganondorf's prison, Celia started to worry. 

Ganon had taken everyone to his tower, then thrown them in a prison cell in his basement. Zelda was only just fazed; apparently, this had happened before, and she had complete faith in Link and Alex. James had a similar sort of faith in Alex, and Liam actually seemed excited by the prospect of being captured, strangely. Celia was only worried--worried about Alex. Link's arrival, and explanation, did nothing to help.

"Alex is fighting Ganon, buying us time," he said when she asked him why he had come instead.

"Why did he go, though?"

"The Master Sword rejected me," he said, and Zelda winced. Sometimes, it almost seemed as if those two felt one another's emotions more than their own. "I was still going to be the one to do it, but Alex insisted. He said that it wasn't just about him anymore, and that he was the only one who could actually beat Ganon."

Why, oh why, did he have to pick now to be a hero? "Isn't Ganon super powerful, though?"

"Yes," conceded Link. "But I don't think he's met the likes of Alex yet."

What's that supposed to mean?

"Alex will be fine," said Zelda reassuringly. "Now let's get out of here while we still can."

They left Ganon's tower behind quickly. By dusk, the group reached the campsite. Had it really been only last night that they'd found Mr. Greene, Link's counterpart? Just this morning that she and Alex had watched the older hero become whole? It felt like eons ago. 

Night began to settle like a dark blanket, and still Alex had not returned. By this point, Celia was beyond worried, and was even ready to charge back into Ganon's tower if necessary. James told her to calm down, and that she was probably overreacting. Liam helpfully added that she sounded like a nervous mother, which earned him a glare.

Just as the moon was rising, an odd expression crossed Link's face. "What's wrong?" Zelda asked him.

"Nothing. Just... felt something," he answered vaguely. Celia got the feeling that he was saying a lot less than he actually knew. Then again, she always got that feeling around him; it often seemed that only Zelda could ever decipher anything he said. 

An hour or so passed, and people began to nod off. Liam, as always, was asleep the fastest. Zelda was asleep soon after. Celia planned to stay up until only Link was awake, since he apparently didn't sleep or something, and get some answers. Unfortunately, James had the same plan, and was staring off into the distance, eyes as far open as possible as he tried to stay awake. Link didn't look any more inclined to say anything. 

Then, just as she was ready to give up and go to sleep, Link said, "Alex, you can come out now."