Prologue:

It was a beautiful afternoon in the land of Hyrule. The sun hung casually in the sky. A small picnic was being held in the courtyard of Hyrule Castle. Zelda wore a casual, light blue dress and was cradling an infant girl in her arms. Link sat next to her, wearing his usual green tunic and hat. Link’s father, Tyrain, sat on his other side. Tyrain’s brown hair had turned white at the temples. Zinc wore a white tunic with a blue cape with a silver lining, which signified him as being the Capitan of Hyrule’s army. Pike wore one of Zinc’s old tunics, as she still refused to wear a dress. Pike had cut her long blonde hair so that it hung down only just passed her shoulders.

“Hey Zinc, do you ever take that cape off?” asked Link. Five years had passed since Khimena, Scythe, and Ganondorf had been banished to the Realm of Shadows, and the kingdom of Hyrule had fallen into a time of great peace.

“Of course, I do,” said Zinc as he flipped the cape up off of his shoulders.

A Hylain soldier entered the courtyard and snapped a salute to Zinc. “Capitan, the men are ready for inspection, sir.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” said Zinc. “Now, return to your post.” The soldier snapped another salute and left.

“Didn’t you have an inspection last week, son?” asked Tyrain.

“Yes, we did,” said Zinc.

“Do you really think they’ve gotten that much worse in only five days?” asked Tyrain.

“Dad’s right, Zinc,” said Link. “It won’t kill you to take things a little less seriously. I mean, you didn’t even smile at your own wedding.”

“I smiled,” said Zinc.

“Really?” asked Link. “If I hadn’t known any better, I would have thought dad had died again.”

“I can’t afford not to take my job seriously,” said Zinc. “There is always the threat of an attack on Hyrule.”

“By whom?” asked Zelda. “Ganondorf and Scythe are gone.” Zelda and Link’s daughter, Alina, was fast asleep.

“I’ve just had this bad feeling lately,” said Zinc.

Chapter 1: International Relations

“Link, wake up,” Zelda grabbed Link’s shoulder and gave him a slight shake.

Link opened his eyes and sat up. “Zel? Why did you wake me?” he asked. Alina lay asleep in her crib next to Link and Zelda’s bed. The legendary Master Sword was propped up next to the foot board.

“Don’t you remember what today is?” asked Zelda. She was already dressed in one of her nicer dresses.

Link closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Link’s eyes snapped open when it came to him. “Today is the day of the good will mission to the kingdom of Solarin.” Link got out of bed and quickly got dressed. He put on his pants and a formal, white tunic. Then he picked up the Master Sword, in its sheath, and tied it across his chest. Lastly, he donned a red cape with a gold lining. Link and Zelda walked to the west wing of the castle and stopped outside of Zinc and Pike’s room. Zinc and Pike had moved into the castle shortly after Zinc had become Capitan. They had given Sky Castle to Sthil. Zelda knocked on the door to the room. Pike opened after a few moments.

“What do you want?” asked Pike, who was not a morning person.

“We need Zinc,” said Zelda.

“He’s down at the training grounds with some new recruits,” said Pike.

“Thank you,” said Zelda. “Would you mind watching Alina while we’re gone today?”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of her,” said Pike. “Try not to stay to long though.”

Zelda and Link walked out to the training grounds, which were located at the base of a 50 foot rock face on Death Mountain. Zinc was halfway p the rock face, while all the recruits were only a few yards above the ground.

“Come on!” Zinc yelled down to the men. “The last man done has to run to Lake Hylia and back!”

“Hey, bro!” Link called out as he and Zelda reached the base of the rock face.

Zinc stopped climbing and looked down. “Link? What do you need?”

“Today’s the day of the good will mission to Solarin,” said Link.

“That’s today?” Zinc let go of the side of the rock face and dropped to the ground. He tucked into a roll just before he hit the ground. He stood up and dusted himself off, unharmed from the fall.

“I’ve never seen anyone as willing to risk their lives just to save a few minutes as you two,” said Zelda.

Zinc ignored her comment. ”Ensign, run these men through the rest of the morning routine, and if I’m not back by this evening through routine four.” Zinc picked up his cape, sword, and the Shield of Reflections.

“Yes sir,” the soldier snapped a salute to Zinc. Zinc put his cape on over his sword and shield.

“Zinc do you think you can summon some pegasi for us?” asked Zelda.

“I prefer to use the unisi now that they’ve reached maturity,” said Zinc. “Nightfire, Bluestar, Phoenix, come to me.” Three unicorn-pegasus hybrids descended from the sky. Night fire was solid black from the tip of his horn to the end of his tail. Blue star had a blue body, blue wings, and a cream colored star beneath her pure white horn. Phoenix was an orangish-tan. His wings and horn were a deep crimson.

“They’re so beautiful,” said Zelda.

“They can fly faster and farther than any pegasus, and their horns are harder and sharper, than a unicorn’s,” said Zinc as he mounted Nightfire. Zelda chose ride Bluestar, leaving Link with Phoenix. The unisi took to the skies, and before long they were only small points on the horizon.


After a few hours, Zinc, Zelda, and Link arrived at the border of Solarin. As they continued flying Solarin Castle came into view. Solarin Castle was easily twice the size of Hyrule Castle. It has several towers and was made of thick black stone. The king of Solarin was waiting by the drawbridge of the castle as they landed and dismounted their unisi.

“Welcome to Solarin,” said the king. “I am King Drius.” Drius was the opposite of his castle. He was short, thin man with short, black hair; a disproportionately large beard; and small, cheerful eyes.

“Thank you for having us,” said Zelda. “I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule and this is my husband, Link.”

King Drius became very excited at hearing this. “The famous Hero of Time is in my kingdom, wonderful just wonderful. Do you think I could see it, the legendary Master Sword?” Link drew the Master sword and held it out for Drius to see. Even in the bright mourning sun, the enchanted steel of the blade cast its own ethereal light. “It’s so beautiful.” Drius’ eyes left the blade and focused on Zinc. “And this must be Zinc, the Capitan of Hyrule’s army. The same man who stopped a moblin rebellion in half an hour with a troop of only ten men.”

“Check it out bro,” said Zinc, “were famous.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” said Link. “There were only a hundred or so moblins in that rebellion.”

King Drius led everyone to a room with a large, round table. A young man, roughly Link’s age, was already seated at the table.

“This is my son, Prince Tasterin,” said King Drius. Tasterin was built a lot like Link. He had tone and definition to his muscles but not to an exaggerated degree. His black hair was tied at the base of his neck and hung down to the small of his back. He had dark brown eyes which did not contain his father’s cheerful sheen.

“Welcome to the kingdom of Solarin,” said Tasterin. His voice was cold, and it was clear his welcome was hollow. Zelda, Link, and Zinc all took seats at the table.

“As you know, we’ve come to work out a trade agreement between our two countries,” said Zelda.

“Ah, yes. What sorts of things do export?” asked Drius

“We are mainly an agricultural country, but we are most widely known for out fine sword smiths and potion makers,” said Zelda. She took some potions and swords from her magic pouch.

Tasterin picked up one of the swords and examined it. “I see nothing that cannot be made by one of our own sword smiths. They would not even have their precious Master Sword if the Goddesses did not so blatantly favor them.” He slammed the sword down hard on the table.

“Tasterin, calm yourself,” said Drius. “These are fine swords. Our swords are much heavier and are not as well crafted.”

“You are a fool, father. You are blinded by stories of heroes and chivalry. I saw how childishly you acted by the front gate. ‘Do you think I could see you legendary Master Sword.’ How you were found fit to rule is beyond me.” With that Tasterin stormed out of the room.

“I am sorry you were forced to see that,” said Drius. “It is Tasterin that is blind, blinded by his thirst for power. He does not understand anything that does not pertain to war, even simple trade negotiations. I do not know what I must do with him.”

“You could always send him to Hyrule for a few training sessions with Zinc,” said Link. “We’d implement that as a punishment in our courts, but it’s too cruel.”

“Shut up,” said Zinc.

“I think it would be best to end this meeting rather quickly,” said Drius. “Solarin deals mainly in gold and precious gems.

"We are willing to trade a pound of gold for each of your swords, and a pound of gems for a gallon of your wonderful potions.”

“That sounds like a good trade,” agreed Zelda.

“It is a tradition here in Solarin to end a meeting with a friendly exhibition.”

“What do you have in mind,” Link suddenly became very interested in the discussion, when the talk of fighting came up.

“The captain of the Solarin army will face Zinc in a friendly duel,” said Drius.

“I have a better idea,” said Zinc. “I’ll face your three best soldiers.”

“Yes, that would be splendid,” said Drius getting up from the table. The others all got up as well. Drius led them to an arena style room. Zinc hopped over the divider wall and dropped down to the sand covered floor, four feet below. Zinc unclasped his cape and let it fall to the floor. Three men entered the arena from a tunnel. The first guy was huge. His biceps were as big around as Zinc’s head. He stood well over eight feet tall. His hair and eyes were as black as coal. The man standing at the left of the big man was a lot smaller, but judging from the way he moved and condition of his legs he was a lot faster. His hair was red, and his eyes were blue. The last man, who was obviously the leader, carried a foil-style sword and wore a hood to cover his face.

“I have a new idea,” said Zinc. “To make things fair, I’ll only use my sword once.”

“You’ll regret that decision,” said the big man. He removed one of Biggoron’s swords from a sheath on his back. As big as the sword was, the man still managed to hold it in one hand with little effort. He swung the sword horizontally. Zinc rolled under the sword, and unsheathed his own. As he stood back up, Zinc delivered a slash to just behind the big man’s knee, severing the ligaments and tendons that held his leg together. The large man collapsed to a kneeling position. Zinc threw a powerful kick to the side of the man’s head knocking him out.

The fast man attacked next. He dashed at Zinc and landed a well placed kick in Zinc’s mid-section. Zinc doubled under from the force of the blow. The fast man aimed another kick at the side of Zinc’s head. Zinc snapped back to his senses before the kick hit and grabbed the man’s foot and violently twisted it, breaking the man’s ankle. Zinc turned his back to the man, still holding on to the man’s foot and threw the man over his shoulder. The man hit the ground hard and did not get up.

The man with the foil stabbed at Zinc. Zinc parried the attack, grabbed the man’s hand, and disarmed him. Zinc grabbed the man’s head and dropped to his knees, so that the back of the man’s neck connected with his shoulder. Zinc let go of the man and walked over to where his cape had fallen. Zinc picked up his cape and placed it back over his shoulders.

“I must say, that was quite a performance,” said Drius. “But I must express concern with the condition in which you left my men.”

“Give them a few red potions and a few days bed rest, and they’ll be as good as new,” said Zelda, as Zinc climbed back over the dividing wall. After a few minutes of light conversation, Drius led Zinc, Zelda, and Link out of the castle. They each mounted their unisi and set off on their trip back to Hyrule.

Chapter 2: An Act of Love, an Act of Hatred

A small house just outside of the entrance to Koroki Forest was where Dax took up residence shortly after the defeat of Khimena. He and his younger sister, Elexus, were in the main room of the three room house which Dax had built himself. The mighty Sage of Thunder had changed very little in the past five years. Dax still wore his hair long and was still massive. Elexus, on the other hand, was almost a completely different person. Where she had once been quiet, kind, and intelligent, she was know talkative, moody, and a bit of a know it all. She no longer took after Pike’s fashion sense and had started wearing dresses, and a pair of Triforce earrings she had received as a gift from Zelda.

“Why isn’t he here yet, Dax?” Elexus asked in a whiney voice. She was waiting for her new boyfriend, who was picking her up for their first date. A light knock came at the door of the house. Elexus rushed to the door and swung it open. Zinc stood on the other side.

“Hey Elexus, is Dax in?” asked Zinc.

“Yes,” said somewhat sadly. Zinc walked in and sat down in one of the chairs in the room.

“What brings you here, Zinc?” asked Dax.

“Malon called a meeting of the sages,” said Zinc.

“What?!” exclaimed Elexus. “For when?!”

“Tomorrow evening,” said Zinc. “Why?”

“Elexus has a new boyfriend,” said Dax.

“Really, what happened to the old one?” asked Zinc.

“You happened!” Elexus yelled at Zinc. “He joined the Hylain army, and your training sessions have him afraid to leave his own house.”

“Why is so fashionable to take a shot my training sessions? They’re not that bad.” said Zinc.

“Not everyone considers a sprint around the entire Kingdom of Hyrule a ‘short jog,’” said Elexus.

A quiet knock came from the door to the house. Dax opened the door; a young man stood on the other side. He had short, light blonde hair and cool blue eyes.

“Daryian!” Elexus rushed to the door.

“Are you ready?” Daryian asked Elexus.

“What’s the rush?” asked Dax. “You just got here. I haven’t even told any embarrassing stories about Elexus’s childhood yet.”

“You must be Dax,” said Daryian extending his hand.

Dax took his hand and gave it a slight shake. “The one and only, and this my good friend, Zinc.” Zinc stood up and also shook Daryian’s hand.

“Zinc!” exclaimed Daryian. “You’re Zinc? You’re a living legend. You’re the reason I’m joining the Hylain Army.”

“Flattery won’t gain you any leniency,” said Zinc. “So, when are going to join us.”

“Whenever the next recruiting day is,” said Daryian.

“Well, you’re in luck,” said Zinc. “We start training a new squad tomorrow morning.”

“Really!” exclaimed Daryian. “Do I need to sign up or something?”

“Just show up in front of Hyrule Market at six tomorrow,” said Zinc.

“Thank you, sir,” said Daryian. “Are you ready to go Elexus?”

“I’ve been ready since before you got here,” said Elexus. Daryian led Elexus outside where he had a large black stallion.

Daryian helped Elexus into the saddle. “Where would you like to go first, my dear?”

“I’d like to get something to eat,” she answered. “I love my brother to death, but he can’t even boil water without giving it a funny taste.” Daryian laughed at this. It was a full, warm laugh; Elexus could always tell a lot about a person through the sound of their laugh, and she found his very comforting.

“I know the perfect place,” Daryian mounted the horse taking a position just in front of Elexus. “Hold on tight.” Daryian snapped the horse’s reigns, and headed for Kakariko Village. Elexus held tight onto Daryian’s waist as the horse galloped faster and faster. After a few minutes they had reached the outskirts of Kakariko Village. Daryian tied his horse to a post outside the steps to the village. They walked up the stairs and into the mountains. Kakariko had experienced an economic boom in the years following Khimena’s defeat. Several new shops and other various businesses had opened up in a short amount of time. Daryian led Elexus to a small building located next to the gate to Death Mountain Trail. As they went inside the smell of several foods permeated the air.

“Welcome,” the hostess had an overly bright, cheerful voice. She had a slight tilt to her head and an exaggerated smile.

“Table for two please,” said Daryian.

“Right this way, sir.” The hostess led them to a table in the corner of the small restaurant. “Would two like something to drink?”

“Apple cider,” said Elexus as Daryian pulled out a chair for her.

“I’ll have the house special,” said Daryian. Daryian sat in the chair across from Elexus.

“I’ll have those right out for you.” the hostess, apparently also a waitress walked away.

“What do you recommend,” asked Elexus.

“The roast cucco here is unbelievable, and they have an excellent slow cooked vegetable stew,” said Daryian. The hostess came back with their drinks. Daryian’s drink was light brown in color. Steam gently wafted from the top of his goblet. Daryian took a sip of the drink.

“What is that?” asked Elexus.

“I’m not really sure, but it’s really good,” said Daryian. “Would you like to try it?” Daryian offered the goblet to Elexus. She took the goblet took a sip of the drink. It was bittersweet, and it filled her body with a feeling of warmth.

“Wow this really is good,” said Elexus.

“Would you two like to order now?” This waitress was not the one who had seated them, but she had the same overly-bright voice and exaggerated smile.

“I’ll have the stew.” said Daryian.

“I’d like the cucco,” said Elexus.

“Very good,” said the waitress. “I’ll have them right out.”

“The waitresses here are creepy,” said Elexus as soon as the waitress was out of earshot.

“Yeah, but the food’s good,” said Daryian. “So how long have you known Zinc?”

“About seven years,” said Elexus. “Scythe had taken my brother and me captive, and Zinc saved us.”

“Who’s Scythe?” asked Daryian.

“He was an evil sorcerer,” said Elexus.

“I remember now; he worked for Ganondorf when Ganondorf tried to retake Hyrule several years ago.”

Elexus shook her head. “You’ve got is backwards, Ganondorf worked for Scythe.”

“He actually had Ganondorf working for him? He must have been one evil guy.”

“You couldn’t imagine; Scythe had no desire for power. His only goal was total chaos.”

“Why did he capture you and Dax?”

“He doesn’t need a reason; he kills for the fun of it, but he captured us because we’re both sages.”

“You’re one of the Sages of Hyrule?”

“Yes, I’m the Sage of Earth. Dax is the Sage of Thunder.” said Elexus. The second waitress came out of the kitchen carrying their food.

“Here you go,” said the waitress as she placed the plates of food on the table. She walked away.

“Dax would be the Sage of Thunder,” said Daryian. He picked up his bowl and sipped his stew. “And you, it makes perfect sense that you’re the Sage of Earth.”

“Why is that?” asked Elexus as she tore off a piece of her cucco.

“You have many qualities associated with the earth; you’re warm, nurturing, and kind. You’ll make a great mother.”

“This is only our first date, so don’t get any ideas,” said Elexus.

Daryian laughed at this. “I wouldn’t think of it.” They continued with their meal, making light conversation. When they finished, the second waitress brought them their check.

“Daryian looked at the check. “Fifty-seven rupees, your prices have gone up.”

“We had to raise the prices, after one of our cooks was ripped apart by a horde of ravenous cuccos,” said the waitress, still in her overly cheery voice.

Daryian paid with three red rupees. “Keep the change.” The waitress took the rupees and left Daryian and Elexus left the restaurant.

Daryian looked at the sky. “Have you ever watched the sunset on Lake Hylia?”

“No I haven’t,” said Elexus.

“If we hurry we might make it,” said Daryian. They walked out the front gate of Kakariko and down the staircase where Daryian’s horse was still waiting. They mounted the horse and set off for Lake Hylia. They arrived just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. The sky was brilliantly lit in hues of reds, oranges, and yellows. The light reflected off the surface of the lake, making it look like liquid gold.

“It’s beautiful,” gasped Elexus. “I think we need a better view.” She made several motions with her hands. The ground beneath them shot upward forming a short mesa.

“I can see dating you is going to be interesting,” said Daryian. “How does magic work?”

“There are two basic energies that exist in all life, natural energy or mana, and spiritual energy or ki. Magic is essentially one’s ki influencing the mana around them.”

“Huh, that’s really interesting.” Daryian looked up at the sky and watched as pinpoints of star light appeared in the darkness. As the last few rays of sunlight disappeared under the west horizon a long howl was heard in the distance.

“I should get going,” said Elexus. She lowered the mesa back to ground level and began to walk toward the gate to Hyrule Field.

“Wait,” called Daryian. Elexus stopped and turned, and Daryian gently pressed his lip to hers. The kiss only lasted a few moments, before Elexus drew away blushing. ”Let me give you a ride home.”

“Okay,” said Elexus still breathless from her first kiss.


In a secret chamber deep under Solarin Castle, Tasterin was berating the men who had lost to Zinc earlier that morning.

“You call yourselves warriors?!” yelled Tasterin. “I have never seen such a pathetic display.”

“You were watching?” asked the big man, who had his knee heavily bandaged, even though it was completely healed thanks to a red potion.

“Not exactly the sharpest sword in the bunch, are you, Durge?” asked Tasterin. “Nothing happens in this castle without me knowing about it. Today only proves how unfit my father is for the throne.”

“Yeah, well what are you going to do about it?” asked the man whose ankle Zinc had broken.

“Congratulations, Eix,” said Tasterin. “You are actually just as ogre-minded as Durge there. You know it doesn’t surprise me that Zinc bested you two, but you, Soran,” Tasterin turned to the last man, “as the captain of the Solarin Army, you should have been much more of a challenge.”

“I am sorry, my Prince,” said Soran.

“As I was saying, my father is unworthy of the throne,” said Tasterin. “Tonight is the night, my loyal minions. Come tomorrow, I will be king and my father will be a faint memory.” Tasterin took a dagger from one of the pedestals in the chamber and tucked it into his belt. He left the chamber through a passage that let out through a false wall in his room. Tasterin headed for the throne room, where was sure to find his father. When Tasterin got to the throne room, Drius was standing at a scale model of Solarin used for strategically positioning troops during times of war.

“Ah, Tasterin, I could use your help,” said Drius. “I want to reinforce the northern border without stretching the rest of our forces too thin.”

Tasterin looked at the model. Solarin truly was the perfect military county, geographically anyway. It was bordered on the west by mountains, and on the south and east by the Great Ocean. Only the north was penetrable. “Move half the men from the west to the north, and move the rest to the top of the mountains.”

“Ah yes, I will tell the troops immediately,” said Drius.

“Oh father, before you go, I have something for you.” Tasterin drew the dagger from his belt, and drove it hilt deep into his father’s stomach. Tasterin withdrew the dagger, and slashed Drius’s throat. Drius fell to the floor, and blood pooled away from his body. Tasterin wiped his dagger clean and stuck it back in his belt.

“Y…you’ll never get away with this,” Drius said weakly.

“Watch me,” said Tasterin with a sly look that suddenly turned to one of panic. “Help! Somebody help! My father has been attacked!” As Tasterin ran from the room, a look of confusion passed over Drius’s face just before he died.

After Tasterin found someone to “help” his father and establish his innocence, Tasterin went back down to his secret chamber. Soran was waiting for him.

“The deep is done?” asked Soran.

“Indeed,” Tasterin picked up a map. “Solarin could use some expansion, don’t you think Soran.”

“What did you have in mind?” asked Soran.

“Hyrule,” said Tasterin.

“Hyrule? But sir, Hyrule is probably the most powerful military country in the world.”

“That’s all the more reason to conquer it, Soran. When Hyrule falls, so with it will many more countries.”

“Defeating the Hylian army will not be easy.”

“That’s why I intend to enlist the help of… certain individuals that will be a great asset to our cause.”

“What do you mean?” asked Soran.

“You’ll see, Soran. You’ll see.” With that Tasterin left with a dark foreboding laugh.