A New Save File

Chapter 2.7

I feel really stupid but i should clarify that this is an alternative timeline, dont go delving to deep into it.
Ill clear up a few things:
The champions never died.
Zelda has control over her power and the characters that are alive 100 years later (for example; teba) are instead born around the same time as the champions

Again, don't go delving too deep into the details.

Time flew by quickly, the sun was beaming in the sky, rays of sunlight seeped through small holes in the stables tarps while you sat on your bed.

You kept looking at the new addition to your bow.

"(Y/n)?"

You look up to see Zelda, clearly worried as she stood at the entrance to your room.

You look down at the floor trying to think of what to say.

You can feel her gaze on you, you want to look back up at her but you couldnt.

She sits at the foot of your bed, thinking of what to say as well.

"How are you feeling?"

You finally manage to look up, only for a second though.
She looked fairly reserved but wanted to say something.
"... a little sore but nothing a bit of time cant heal.."

The room falls silent.

"That was very foolish of you.. we were so worried.."

You breath in deep and let out a sharp sigh.

"Im sorry.. i.. i make pretty dumb decisions a lot."

You give a weak smile but it wasnt going to cheer her up any time soon.

"Well, try not make any more then"

She stands up with a strong formal stance.

"We'll be heading towards kakariko village within the hour, make sure you're ready by then."

You nod and start packing up, a few minutes pass amd you were all set.
You walk outside and spot Fortan munching on a patch of grass.

You whistle, watching Fortan trot happily over to you while you pull put a few carrots. As he gets closer, you can see a lot of your blood dried up on his back.. you put the carrots back in your bag.
"Lets get you cleaned up"
You look back at your jacket, pick it up and lead him over to a pond nearby.
It was hard, tearing a piece off with your burnt shoulder.

You sigh, dunk the makeshift cloth in the pond and start scrubbing your blood off Fortan, you feel a tap on your good shoulder, turn to see link standing behind you, he gives a polite wave before signing a few words with his hands but stops halfway.

"He seems very fond of y-"

You watch him sign words and remeber all of the days you'd spend in your local library, skimming rows of books, some were covered in thick layers of dust while others were tattered with worn leather and lighlty torn paper.
Your fingers glided across all of books spines, you watch as old and generic title's you knew word for word pass by.. your fingers catch against an old binder, pulling it off its shelf.

You pick it up and place it back on its shelf, you stop and look at its cover.

You look at link with holding your hands hands up and start signing words to link who then beamed with joy.

"Shouldnt you be with Zelda?"

He signs another sentence with gusto.
"She has at least a dozen guards by her side when Im not"

You nod and he continues

"Its not often you see a horse who can trust its owner like yours does, how long have you had him for?"

You stop signing words and opt to talk instead.
"Uuh.. about 4 days"

You scrub, not really thinking about it

"4 days?!.. surely not.."

You take a look from the other side of fortan, link had a quizzical look on his face while glancing at epona every few seconds.

"How long did it take for you and epona to get along?"

"You'd be suprised, Im the only one she's warmed up to."

"How so?"

"Anyone who dared to mount her got hurt badly, a few broken bones and one severely injured. One day, she broke out the stable, i was in her way.. I thought i was dead but she just.. stopped.. right in front of me"

"Whoa.. ive never heard of epona being so..."

He signs again.

"Feisty? She can be like that when she wants to."

He chuckles, it sounded odd, like a guitar when left untuned, it was a shock to hear evem a fraction of his voice for the first time ever.
You look away and regain yourself before he noticed.

Time flew by again, the caravan was set to travel, you check for any spots you missed, Fortan was clean.. as clean as you could get him, only a vague blotch of red could be seen on his shoulder. He lets out a loght whine amd a huff before trudging out of the pond, shaking specks of water off his body.

Link calls over epona, ready to mount.

You decide to wait for him, if you remember correctly, kakariko village should be just over the crest of the hill ahead of you.

Something had been bothering you, you felt like you were being watched.

You glance back as link gets comfortable in his saddle.

"Hey link? Does.. anything feel off to you?"

He looked at you, then where you had looked and shook his head.

Your eyes skim the area a few times which made Fortan impatient and start trotting to catch up with the caravan making you rear back on the saddle.

"Whoa.. easy bud"

You hear link chuckle again, you look back to see him signing something.

"Seems like hes got quite a temperament too... whats his name?"

"His name is Fortan"
You look down and give him a light pat which he returns with a loud neigh.

You had to admit.. despite the chaos that the week has brought you.. you'd choose this over your current life in a heartbeat even if you had to spend it fighting the yiga every other day.

Even of your guilt swallowed you whole because of it, no rent, no stress looking for jobs, not a car in sight nor sound or smell of petrol.

It was nice, it made you feel at peace with life which you hadnt felt in a very long time.
You see link in the corner of your eye, he gives you a wave goodbye and spurs epona into a gallop to catch up to Zelda's carriage.

You close your eyes and breath in, listening to birds chirping as faint thuds of deer frolicking echo through land.

Suddenly eveything flashes white.. you were in a forest, admiring the nature around you, a deer spots you in the distance.
You dont move, watching it as it stares at you curiously.
It takes a few steps towards you and sniffs cautiously.

You could see its black beady irises, something about the lack of detail they had yet how they beamed with life.. it took your breath away.

You come to to see the deer walk away calmly as two fawns pop out from a bush nearby.

You can hear a name being called out, it had a familiarity to it but it felt as if it was muffled somehow.

Everything starts to fade away into white before you flash back to reality, sweat dripped down your head and you shook violently.
You clasp your head, desperately trying to quell your thoughts.

Not far beyond, you could make out a small valley with a number of wooden archs along it.

You try to relax but your breathing had become laboured again, you shook even more, dazed and confused, clutching onto your chest with one hand and not letting go for the rest of the journey.