The rise of a Hero

Chapter 1

Warning : There are several leaps in time in chapters 1 and 2.

oOo

For thousands of years, the kingdom of Hyrule lived in peace and prosperity. One day, the king and queen had a daughter whom they named Zelda, as tradition dictated. However, shortly after this joyous event, they received a prophecy: Ganon the Calamity, their eternal enemy, was preparing to return once again to destroy the kingdom. Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, the ruler, decided to initiate research with members of the Sheikah clan to find immense machines known as the Divine Beasts. Ten thousand years ago, these machines had aided the princess and the Hero chosen by the legendary sword in their battle against Evil. They were discovered four years later, scattered in various locations across the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the young princess learned to awaken her power from her mother. However, when the princess turned six years old, the queen was suddenly taken by an illness, leaving behind a kingdom in peril and a child devastated by her death.

oOo

Several leagues away from the castle, a small family of a knight lived in the village of Hateno. They were not of noble birth, indeed, but they appreciated the calm of the countryside and its resources. The father, Knight Karl, went to the castle every two weeks to serve the royal family, then returned several days later to ensure the village's safety. He had married the gentle Adélaïde, the carpenter's daughter, with chestnut hair and unique blue eyes. Together, they had a son, Link. Since he could walk, the boy enjoyed picking up a tree branch to imitate his father during mock battles. Quickly, Karl noticed his son's ease despite his very young age, and he decided to teach him the basics of knighthood.

In the village, rumors began to circulate: at the age of four, young Link had supposedly defeated knights from the castle in a one-on-one combat. Was it true? Some affirmed it. Others, more skeptical, merely frowned or chuckled. Whatever the case, the boy had undeniable potential.

One evening, sitting in a corner of the family library, Adélaide was calmly sewing a shirt for her son, who kept tearing the ones he wore. She was a little woman with blue eyes similar to her child's. When her husband finally returned from the castle, the chestnut-haired woman looked up at him and greeted him with a smile.

"Good evening, Karl. How was your stay at the citadel? she asked him, continuing her task."

The blond-haired mantook a seat in front of the fireplace to warm his hands.

"Well, as usual," he replied warmly. "Were you able to visit your sister?"

Adelaide nodded softly and then laughed after sighing, which intrigued the knight who asked for some details.

"Know that our son has been repeating that he will become a knight and prove himself worthy of you. Everything would have gone well if he hadn't wanted to demonstrate his abilities with a tree branch..."

"He's only five years old, my dear."

Both exchanged a look, creating a brief silence for a few moments. Thinking he understood, Karl frowned, amused.

"Did he perform his demonstration on a cucco?"

"I fear he did."

This caused the valiant knight to burst into laughter, imagining his son being chased by a group of chickens.Despite having already accomplished feats for his age, Link still remained quite reckless at times.

"Karl, I believe that Link truly wishes to follow in your footsteps. My brother-in-law told me that he could easily become a knight before his fifteenth birthday."