Couple of the Wild (ZeLink)

Chapter 74: Her Grace

Link opened his eyes. This was a surprise to him. He didn't think he would see anything in the afterlife if he actually had died. What surprised him, even more was to see a bright, calm sky above him. It was filled with thick white clouds that slowly passed by with the warm breeze that brushed against his skin. There was even a sun, a bright one that seemed too bright to be real, with sun rays that warmed every inch of his skin.

Surprised, Link looked down to see that he had a body; another thing to add to the list of things he wouldn't have guessed he would be given in death. He wasn't clothed, for his entire body was exposed to the sun's radiance. Though he was confident that it was his own usual body, he felt perfect. This wasn't to say that he hadn't felt fine before, in fact, physically he always felt that his body was better than most. He rarely got sick, and even if he did get cold or too hot, his tolerance was higher than most. But here, in this realm, he felt beyond just his usual peak. His body felt nothing short of perfect. To add to his confusion, his body was perfectly healed. There wasn't a scar to be seen. Even the markings on his chest, where the Yiga Blademaster had cut him during their duel in front of Robbie's lab, were completely gone.

Confused, Link laid his head back down. He felt as if he should be worried. He didn't know whether Zelda was okay, nor did he know what danger Hyrule seemed to be in now that he failed his trial. Despite this, he felt calm. His heart felt warm. Everything was okay.

After only a few moments of taking in the sunlight, Link pushed himself up into a sitting position. He looked down, expecting to see grass under the palms of his hands. Instead of lush green fields, however, it was a flat, impossibly endless pool of crystal clear water. He raised his head and looked around. The ocean of water was endless, and he casually sat on the surface of the water, rippling at his every move.

Oh yeah, Link thought, nodding his head. I'm definitely dead.

With a deep breath, Link leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees as he looked up at the sky again.

This must be where the hero goes before he is reincarnated, Link continued to think calmly. Koshia said that I wasn't enough as I was. I wonder if I'll see Zelda again... She'll be much older by the time I've grown to proper fighting age. I hope I'll see her again. Link sighed, sorry, Zel... I guess I failed you.

"Well, I guess I'll just sit here," Link said out loud, closing his eyes as he stretched. "I'll probably disappear at some point. I'll just wait to be reincarnated."

With a deep breath, allowing his arms to fall loosely back onto his knees, he opened his eyes to continue staring out into the endless waters. Despite his plan, what he saw was not the crystal clear waters, but a tiny ball of light. It was a faint purple light, a light that struck Link as oddly familiar. The light floated in front of his eyes before slowly gliding away. Link's eyes trailed it, watching as it glided above the waters. Eventually, the light stopped, causing Link to raise an eyebrow. Before he could open his mouth to question the light, he noticed something further in the distance behind it.

Allowing curiosity to consume him, he stood on his feet. He wanted to get closer to whatever was afar on the waters. Even from here, he knew it wasn't dangerous. The calmness in his heart told him it wasn't. Brushing the hair that covered his eyes away (he no longer had his hair tie), he began to walk forward, causing the ball of light to move as well. With the light guiding him, they traveled across the waters. He listened to the soft rippling of water with every step he took. The closer he got to the shadow in the distance, the calmer he felt. The warmer and safer he felt.

Soon, the object began to take shape. It looked like a figure; a person. Link was surprised. He thought that he was the only person here, though, he knew he would be lying to himself if he thought it didn't feel like someone else was here with him. This warmness, he knew, wasn't his own. In fact, now that he saw that it was a person in the distance, he knew this feeling of compassion and care came from them. He didn't know how he knew, he simply did.