Legend of Zelda: Hero's Curse (Chapter 1)

"Wait up!" Link called, his tiny hands reaching through the crowd as he struggled in the throng of bodies. A muddy yellow tunic clung to his small body with sweat as he tried to navigate through the hoard. The unrelenting summer sun baked the plaza and the extreme number of people only added to the oppressive heat. Moisture hung from his brow and golden bangs nearly fell into his eyes. Grumbling, his hands moved to part his the infuriating strands to either side of his face as he wiped the sweat away. "I said wait!"

The roar of the crowd drowned his voice out and the milling bodies that towered over him made it almost impossible to see through the forest of torsos and legs. Link's bright blue eyes scanned the area as he made his way down the packed street, his long hylian ears practically twitching as he tried to find her. There! A flash of bright blue appeared for an instant and Link sped after it. His heart raced as he pushed through the bodies. The adults grumbled and shifted as he made his way past; a few exclamations and angry "hey!"s tracing his path through the crowd. Link ignored them all as he searched in a single-minded fashion for that flash of blue. Again, he glimpsed it, just out of the corner of his eye and he spun on his heels, turning 90 degrees to race after the fleeing form.

As he left the market square the crowd began to thin and he could see her in the distance. Her bright blue tunic and dirty pants were easy enough to distinguish from the other children, but it was her hair that caught his eye the most. Just a few shades darker than his, her dirty blond locks flowed freely over her shoulders, bobbing slightly as she ran. Digging his heels into the hard ground, Link raced after her. Ducking and diving he dove through the crowds, going so far as to even jump over a small basket that had freed itself from its owner. Unhappy curses followed behind him as his feet kicked the ruined vegetables. His heart sunk as she pulled farther away from him and he caught fewer glimpses of her.

Then without warning she turned and vanished into an alley. Skidding across the ground, Link's arms flailed as he tried to regain his balance. Scrambling for purchase, he practically fell onto his hands and knees as he made the turn. Down the alley he went, rushing past the dark walls and boarded windows. Back and forth it wound through the maze of houses that steadily fell into increasing states of decline. Finally, the alley opened up into a tiny courtyard. Old boxes lined the wall and trash clung to almost every corner. Sparse grass pocketed the cracked dirt and broken shards of pottery created a dangerously beautiful mosaic on the dusty ground. Hidden among the falling ruins and piles of rubbish was an abandoned building that lay on the far side was a hole just large enough for a child to squeeze through. A wooden fence blocked the only other entrance into the courtyard, if it could really be called that. It was the perfect secret base for the dregs lucky enough to find it and a hidden home with those of less fortunate.

Link pitched forward, his hands cupping his knees as sweat ran down his nose. His bright blue gaze lingered on the girl as his mouth hung open, panting. Her own disheveled, dirty blond hair hung across her forehead and draped down her shoulders, covering the collar to her muted blue tunic. A matching set of sapphire eyes locked with Link's while a mischievous smile crept onto her young face. Her legs were crossed, as she tried to look haughty and regal in worn, patched up pants that had seen one too many adventures. Her high pitched voice rang out cheerfully to him, "You're as slow as a goron."

Standing, Link approached the girl as she giggled to herself, proud with her victory. Swallowing as he licked his parched lips, Link stood and asked, "Do you have it?" The girl's chin rose slightly as she puffed her chest out with pride. She stretched out one hand, fingers unraveling to reveal the shimmering necklace that sat in the palm of her hand. Golden chains wrapped themselves delicately around her fingers and tiny inlaid jewels glimmered in the daylight. "Of course," she proclaimed, "Idiots didn't even notice." Link bit his upper lip as his gaze lingered on the stolen jewelry. His heart tightened slightly, but he sighed. "Chain… you can't keep doing these things."

Chain's smile disappeared and her brows furrowed. Her lower lip stuck out as she slouched, pouting. "Yeah, well. How we gonna eat then? You got any money?" Link looked down at his boots as he kicked the ground. "Well… no but-" Chain jumped down from the box, standing toe to toe with him as she glared defiantly into his eyes. For a brief moment, Link felt like he was looking into a mirror; his own facing glaring at him with only slightly more feminine features. She was a little taller than him, but only by an inch. They were both eleven years old, but Chain had already started to enter her growing period; much to Link's dismay. Link leaned back slightly as his eyes flicked away from her.

"But nothin'! Look, I don't like it any better than you, but we gotta. Mr. Ingo will give us money for it. Money means food and food means we don't have ta go hungry… again… Please don't look at me like that." Link stared at Chain, his eyes sad as he watched her walk away. His downcast gaze turned back to the dirt as if it would hold the answers to all of their problems. One hand reached up, scratching his neck as he resumed chewing on his upper lip. Chain shoved the necklace into her pocket before she ducked into the hole. With a resigned sigh, Link followed.

The building wasn't large, and most of the rooms were too dangerous to wander into. The front door was completely sealed shut but visible on the far end of the dimly lit living room. Floorboards creaked with every step and the holes in the roof were just large enough to see through on bright sunny days. Boards covered the broken windows, but a few rays of light still streamed through the spaces in between. A pile of old rags sat in one corner of the room, although the stench was close to unbearable. The remains of a dresser clung to one wall with a family of rats in residence in the lowest drawer. One small box lay in the center of the room. A broken cup with a single, wilted flower sat in the middle of it. Link strode over to the cup, his hands gently caressing the fading flower as he sat down at the makeshift table. Even with the shade, the heat was oppressive inside the tiny room. Link swallowed, his throat dry as a bone while he watched Chain wander aimlessly. He couldn't tell if she was mad or nervous as a stream of unintelligible mutterings followed her footsteps. Together they waited. Ten minutes turned into twenty and the outside remained quiet and still. Chain paced restlessly back and forth as Link fiddled with the handle of the cup.

Finally, Chain turned to him and said, "Think it's safe?" Link glanced at her and shrugged his shoulders. No one had yelled at them when Chain had grabbed the necklace. If they hadn't noticed her at first, the shop keep would surely know by now. Even so, the heat spurned Link forward. Sighing, he rose to his feet. "Might as well try." Chain pumped her fist in the air and launched herself towards the hole in the wall. Link diligently followed, getting onto his hands and knees as he crawled through the opening.

Thankfully, the way to the shady dealer did not take the pair through the market square. Instead, they strode through the busy streets of Hyrule Town towards the center of the city. The pair stuck close together, their ears alert and bodies tense as they searched for any signs of trouble. Link practically held his breath as they made their way to the grand shop. A large, colorful sign hung from the building, decorated with a triforce necklace to declare the shop's purpose. Blocky runes told those literate enough the shop's name, but neither of the twins could make it out. Chain grabbed the handle, pushing the door open as a bell announced their entrance. Link followed quickly, wringing his hands together as he practically glued himself to her side in nervousness. Nearly everything in the shop gleamed and shimmered brightly. Displays of necklaces, pendants, rings, and bracelets of all kinds covered the walls and took up most of the floor space. In the back stood a tall, well dressed man behind the counter, his easy smile and boisterous laugh focused completely on a young lady and her gentleman escort. Mr. Ingo gestured grandly to the lovely metal bangles inlaid with various jewels as he praised each piece openly. Every other sentence dripped with pleasantries as he freely complimented his female customer, and was rewarded with twittering giggles from her as she admired the finery. A much larger man stood just beyond, half hidden in the shadow of the doorway that lead to the back. Thick armor covered his body and from his hip hung a well-used blade.

Chain made directly for the mercenary, her strides confident as Link followed behind. Mr. Ingo glanced briefly at them before nodded to the larger man. Marcus moved away from the door, his hand waving the two children into the back room where they waited quietly. It was a smaller room and seemed particularly dark in comparison to the gleaming shop. The furniture was sparse; containing only what was needed for Mr. Ingo to run his business. It was another ten minutes before Mr. Ingo appeared and by then Link and Chain were practically wiggling in their seats. "Well now, if it isn't my favorite twins. How's your mother? Good I hope." he said with a sadistic air as his cold eyes stared down his beak-like nose.

Link and Chain exchanged glances as Mr. Ingo strode over to his desk. His fingers laced together and he propped his jaw against the top of his knuckles. Although his smile was broad, it didn't reach his eyes. Link cleared his throat before he spoke. "She's dead… remember?" The sleazy merchant sat back as his hands flew apart in false surprise. "Oh right, I'm so sorry. It was what… a week ago? I still can't wrap my head around it. So sad, so sad." Link shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he glanced at Chain. Her hands were clenched into tight fists against her knees as her eyes boiled with rage. She bit her bottom lip and choked back tears. "Well," Mr. Ingo went on, "What can I do for the two of you?"

Chain drove her hand into her pocket and yanked the necklace free. She dangled it before her, but her blue eyes practically bored daggers into the older man as she sat in silence. Mr. Ingo leaned forward as his gaze became hungry, greedy fingers twitching as he reached out to grab for it. Chain yanked the necklace back, tucking it between her tiny legs. Mr. Ingo sat back slightly, his hand gesturing for her to hand him the necklace. "No way," she exclaimed with a shake of her head. "Money first." Link watched the merchant carefully, his entire body stiff as his gaze drifted briefly to the mercenary that leaned against the wall, just beyond Chain.

"I have too see it to figure out how much it is worth sweetie. Elsewise, how will I know what to pay you two?" Link narrowed his eyes at the merchant and both siblings shook their head in unison. "Nope. Money first," Link replied. A scowl slunk across the merchant's face and he sat back. One hand rested on the desk, ringed fingers tapping against the polished wood as the other hand massaged his chin. After several tense moments, the merchant spoke. "Fine," he conceded. "I'll give you a blue rupee for it." Chain bolted upright, her free hand slamming against the desk with all the strength and eleven-year-old possessed. Anger clouded her face and she snarled viciously at the merchant. Link was on his feet, his hands reaching for Chain's arm as he glanced nervously at the mercenary. Thankfully, Marcus only looked slightly amused by the outburst.

"No way! It's worth at least a purple rupee." Chain's voice cracked slightly as it rose in pitch. Her face was red and hot as she stomped her foot. The merchant waved his hand at her, completely unimpressed by her angered display. He stuck up two scrawny fingers and calmly retorted, "Look, I like you two. So I'll tell you what. I'll give you two blue rupees and that-" he paused as he pointed at the necklace, "is more than it's worth." Link pulled on Chain's arm as her small body quaked with rage. Gently, he reached down to grab the necklace and slowly untangled it from her hands. She rapidly turned her sharp sapphire gaze towards him, her hair swinging from the force. Thankfully, she said nothing more. Link turned to look at Mr. Ingo and said in a slow voice, "Alright, we'll take it."

"Wonderful." the store owner practically purred. Chain gave him a look that seemed like she was trying figure out the best way to dismember him mentally. The exchange happened faster than Link could blink. As they turned to leave , the salesman piped up again. "Oh," he said with a smile " from now on I think you should use the back door. Won't want people to see two grubby little street urchins wandering into my shop, now would we? Might give people the idea about the reputation of my establishment. Can you imagine?" Link grabbed Chain as she whirled around with a fist, trying to spit out three insults all at once. "Marcus, would you care to show these two the way out?" asked Mr. Ingo sweetly, the sunny smile never leaving his face.

Minutes later and Chain was storming out of the shop as well as any eleven-year-old could do. Her tiny feet stomped against the cobbled road and her hands yanked at her dirty blond hair. Link followed after her, his shoulders wilted as he watched her rage. "We got robbed! That no good, dirty rotten, slime infested moblin! No, not even a moblin. He's a tektite! No, a keese! He's a tiny, rotten, annoying keese that needs to go hang out in a dark, dirty cave so the moblins can eat him." Link frowned as his sister ranted, tears streaming from her eyes while she stormed back towards their home. "Yeah," he replied, "I hate him too." Link's voice was a defeated and tired whisper as he fought against the urge to cry. Sniffles came from Chain as she rubbed her palms furiously against her eyes. A few adults glanced her way, but most ignored the crying girl as she marched down the streets. When they returned home, Chain flopped down onto the pile of rags and screamed into the cloth. Link wilted against the wall beside her, one hand resting on her shoulder as tears collected in his eyes. The two blue rupees sat quietly in his pocket, a burning reminder of the harsh reality that they faced. "I'm sorry, Chain." She sniffled, pulling herself from the pile as she wiped her eyes. Crossing her legs, she sat across from Link. In unison, they leaned forward until their foreheads touched. Blond and near brown hair, only shades apart, mixed together as they took comfort in each other's presence. "It's not your fault. I'll… I'll just get somethin' better next time." Link shook his head as he closed his eyes. "They're gonna catch you." A pained chuckle cracked in Chain's throat as she too closed her eyes. "Nah. I'm took quick. In fact, I'll take somethin' from the palace. Somethin' really pretty. So pretty, that Mr. Ingo will give us a hundred silver rupees. We'll be rich and we won't go hungry ever again."